The Washington herald., 1907-06-28

at Out on the blut tA iidllSt VI water
two black specks turned smaller and
smaller in the distance. Now and then
the early morning sun caught the broad
blades of the oars with a CLINT like the
flash Of q diamond. but presently the
boats rounded the point Of Indian Island,
and Nan turned to her aunt.
We'll" she announced, briskly we
are all alone for the day. Just think of
that, auntie. We can imagine that we
are original settlers and alone in the
/ trackless wastes"
/ Mrs. Edmond shivered az the sugges-
/ ton.
Don't. child" she cried. "Ts it not
enough that We should be left alone?'
les the most delicious thing that has
happened this summer" declared Nan.
Just think Of having the whole of this
/ beautiful lake all 10 ourselves. I'm
queen Of Quagmond Lake, and you are
/ the dowager queen, l guess. Let's clear
away the remains Of our royal banquet.
/ Suiting the action TO the word, Nan
/ briskly attacked the breakfast things,
washing them in the tiny brook that
went singing over the pebbles TO the
waters Of the lake. It did not take long
/ to dispose Of the solled things. and
presently the girl turned to her aunt.
her nut-brown face glowing from the ex-
/ ercise.
What do you want to do, dear?" she
demanded.
Whatever you wish" Mrs. Edmond
smiled into the radiant face softly framed
/ in the masses Of soft hair. Il suppose
that We had better wait until Mr., Leland
comes over
Whit Leland is not coming over" said
+ Nan, decidedly. 4 want TO go some
where, now. Let's take a lunch and
climb the mountain. It's such a tiny
mountain. It won't tire you. We can
/ stop every little while. 1 hate to have to
climb and climb and climb the way Whit
Leland wants TO-"
We will do it your way" said Mrs
Edmond, gently. shall We start at
/ once?"
You're the dearest auntie that ever
was declared Nan, as she planted an
/ enthusiastic kiss upon the lady.s withered
cheek and danced off 10 prepare the
/ lunch. Mrs. Edmond noticed that the
girl kept scanning the lake and guessed
/ the cause. Nan was afraid that in spite
of the prohibition Winthrop LELAND
might come padding around the corner
as he had done every morning since the
/ Rankin camp had been opened
The rest Of the party would never
have gone across the lake had they not
supposed that Leland would be there 70
do squire duty. Il was so like Nan not
to let them know. There must have
been a quarrel last night She let her
I troubled glance wander out along the
shore, but there was no sign OF the
/ canoe and presently they tied the tent
flaps and plunged into the soft green Of
the woods
But even Squaw Hill was something
Of a climb for Mrs. Edmond, and. as
stops were frequent. it was we'll past
[ noon when they at last halted for lunch.
establishing themselves upon grassy
/ plateau divided by a tiny stream that
/ later cut past the camp.
Both were hungry and the sandwiches
I hah+4HNit Fetit~alf-al- DHl ltlI.ltr made
move TO 60. Below, the lake gIittere5
like a sheet Of FURNISHED silver in the
glare Of the sun. a giant ealver framed
in the changing green Of tie trec-cial
banks. Mrs. Edmond leaned back against
the huge rock and sighed contentedlv.
Nan dropped down beside her and rested
her head against her aunts knee.
It's lovely up here she said. softly.
/ i wish that We didn't have to 60 back
ever"
You would tire Of it," said the elder
woman. with a smile. you are too
young and too active to turn recluse.
/ Nan; besides with an allusion to the
girls speech that morning. The queen
should not seclude herself from her sub
/ jccts~
Not even when the subjects are IN
ruly?' Nan asked with a sigh.
Then least of all counseled Mrs.
Edmond. she should restore harmony
/ to her subjects and show herself truly
ruler. What was the matter last night.
NAM"
The girl started and colored at the di-
/ rectness Of the question She had not
meant such a literal application Of her
remark
''Wint was horrid last night she said.
slowly, her glance directed toward the
tiny Indian island out in the lake. ''IIe
was so certain that We could not do with
out him that | told him net to come
And then a soft hand well lovingly
upon the girls soft hair.
And then he said he would come any,
way, because he knew l never could run
the camp alone, and told him 1 was per
fectly able to run the camp and care 70.
YOU. and that I didn't care if I ever saw
. him again. and he said | probably never
should, and then he went away and never
said good night"
Did you expect him II come after,
your rudeness?" Mrs Edmonds voice
gave no hint of the smile that was pray
ing about her lips and in the corner OF
her eyes Nan, looking straight cut
across the lake. did not see.
He might have been polite" she said,
! aggrievedly.
After you had been 50 discourteous?"
Well she persisted. Hes so impcr-
tant. Just as though I could not build
fire or cook bacon and things"
TT was very good Of him to want to
help. l think YOU should apologize 10
him. she counseled softly
L won't said Nan. mu;inously. NAV
be, relenting a little. 4 shall speak to
him again. if he's very nice and humble
but / shan't apologize"
Then let us hope that he will not ex
pect it, suggested Mrs Edmond. Shall
we go o1?' And they resumed their
climb
Nan was glad enough to rest before they
reached the summit. Its different" she