The Somerset reporter., 1908-08-13


come back some day and carry 1t off in
a shoe box. But such as it was it was
Barton Bradleys own. and he was i'm
mensey proud of his possession.
Four years earlier his physician had
ordered him to spend the summer in
the woods to escape an impending at
tack OF nerves" He had rented this
little island from its woodsman owner
and had spent a delightful summer
chopping his own wood, frying his own
bacon and in the intervals planning the
play that had brought him recognition.
His first royalties had gone to pay
for the little island, and now. when
Bradley pitched his tent early In May,
he went to work to build log hut that
should form more permanent camp.
Since success had come he was In
position to build a camp as elaborate
as any of the electrically lighted.
steam heated structures which mas
queraded as camps in the fashionable
colony at the upper end of the lake,
but Bradley would have none of these.
AS far as possible the camp should
|
belled at the necessity for assistance In
raising the logs when the walls reach
ed height above his ability to handle
the heavy logs.
! He made the island his. sanctuary and
a thing apart from the busy months of
the winter season. No one save Staley
had ever been invited to the place, and
/ In, ho 10
! see that all was well or leave mail
when Bradley lacked the time to row
down to the little village ever braved
the mo Trespass" signs with which
the shore bristled.
So 1t happened that Bradley, tramp
ing over his five acre domain, was
astonished to see a canoe on the shore
and girl calmly eating a late lunch
under the very sign forbidding a land
ing.
She was undeniably a pretty girl,
with crisp brown curlS escaping from
a tam-o'-shanter and straying over a
cheek on which the red showed brave
ly through the tan.
Bradley approved her costume Of
brown. 1t was so unlike the frocks
of the fashionables, who dressed not
for the woods, but for the men In
camp and with an eye for spectacular
effect.
But Notwithstanding the fact that
Bradley approved Of the slender, well
built figure he resented the intrusion
on his island.
He hated the fashionable crowd. and
here was one at his very door, per-
haps the advance guard Of horde Of
lion hunters who would overrun the
place and gushingly assure him that
they dotted on his plays even while
their conversation showed that they
had been more intent upon the chatter
In the box than upon the dialogue on
the stage. 1t was this habit of using
the boxes for social visits that had
first given Bradley his distaste for
society.
st is too bad that you cannot read"
he said, with what was intended to
be cutting sarcasm, though insensi-
bly, his voice softened as he looked
into two glorious brown eyes.
II know what you mean," declared
the girl, with a laugh and meaning
glance at the forbidding sign. but |
was tired padding, and when | saw
you at work on the hut | knew that
the owner was not here, and | sup
posed that the sign was enforced only
when the owner was here. Can you
be bribed?"
She held toward him the well filled
lunch box with its appetizing sand
witches and dainty cake.
I'm human enough to be hungry"
she explained. with little laugh, but
always carry more than l need.
Bradley looked into the brown eyes
and sank down on rock opposite the
one on which she was sitting.
"Who is the horrible man who won't
let us land on this little EdenY de-
handed the girl.
Hes New York chap" explained
Bradley economically. HE doesn't
like the people at the upper end of
the lake, and he stuck those signs up"
Thereby preventing me from find
ing a refuge from the play campers,
said the girl severely. "He should
change the sign to read, No Trespass-
ing by People Who Do Not Under
stand There are people even up
there who love the woods and hate
the poor imitation Of Newport. New
port" she added In explanation. SIS a
fashionable colony down on the Rhode
Island shore"
I've heard OF It," assented Bradley,
the scene of whose latest comedy had
been laid in that very resort. He was
glad that this girl mistook him for a
guide. 1t would be a pity to unde-
ceive her and place their impromptu
acquaintance upon a coldly formal
basis.
She chatted of the lake and the
woods, and Bradley more than ever
admired her when she grew eloquent
regarding the beauties of his beloved
lake. 1t formed a common bond of
sympathy.
The girl forgot that she was talking
to a guide, and Bradley In turn forgot
that she was a member Of the hated
colony of fashionable folk who were
doing their best to make the lake as
artificial as themselves.
1t was a good two hours before his
visitor sprang up with an exclamation
Of surprise that she should have lin
gered so long, and with little sigh Of