The Somerset reporter., 1908-08-13
away handling the frail canoe as clev.

away, handling the fratl canoe as clev-
erly as though to the manner born.
After that she came frequently and
became much interested In the build
ing of the house The heavy logs were
all In place now. and only the lighter
work Remained
The girl bradley soon knew her to
be Miss Nannette Cowdrey) found the
completion of the cabin a matter of
absorbing interest. 1t was no better
than the huts of the natives save that
1T was more carefully finished, and of
this Nannette highly approved.
ut seems so foolish" she observed.
ito go in out of the glorious woods and
turn on the hot water and dress for
dinner in the same frocks we wear In
town. l should love to spend a sum-
mer in a camp like this with only
sympathetic people around me-"
She sighed to think Of the impossi-
bility of obtaining her wish and then
gave her attention to experimenting
the fabrication of q rustic chair, deep,
roomy and redolent of the woods.
For month she was almost a daily
visitor. Then one afternoon she came
with a frown upon her pretty face.
and as Bradley settled himself for
chat she drew a slip of printed paper
from her poekA and regarded him at
tentively.
"a penny for your thoughts" he Of
fered when she did not speak
III think that you are horrid," was
the unexpected answer This little
island has been such a haven of rest
to me. Now find that, instead of
being a guide. you are a nasty, cynical
playwright. l hate you"
Because I write cynical plays?' he
asked 81 assure you that l would
rather write the other kind. but they
do not take with the audiences"
81 hate you because you deceived
me-" was the answer in voice that
was close to tears. 81 saw this In
magazine"
Bradley groaned. In an evil mo-
ment he had given an interviewer a
glowing description Of his island with
out betraying its location 1t had been
made the basis of an absurd human
interest" magazine story.
A copy must have fallen into her
hands, and more than ever Bradley
was determined to get even with the
imaginative person who had written
the story.
"And we cannot be friends" he
asked, lust because 1 am not a
guideY
Because you deceived me-" correct
ed Nannette. you were just leading
me on to talk about the imitation
campers SO you could put 1t into
play"
mot into a play" denied Bradley.
"into a rsmance-a private romance,
1 had hoped. Had I introduced my
self as a city man you never could
have come again. / should have raised
the barrier OF conyentionality between
US. AS 1t was, you thought me guide
because was building my own cabin.
With a guide you felt free to come
and go as you pleased. 1t was only
for that reason did not explain your
error"
But now that l know the truth
must come no MORE" she said slowly
as she rose to her feet. II am sorry
that l have found out"
She looked longingly about the camp
which she had helped to make so COM
Portable with her suggestions and aid.
Then she turned and ran down to the
beach. where her light canoe lay upon
the sands.
She had already pushed Off when he
reached the beach, but at his call she
checked her Roadway.
MAY come for your" he called
softly. May I come for you, Nan
nette. and bring you back to the camp
that we built for ourselves?"
For a moment Nannette paused.
Eyes" she called, finally adding,
"Come soon." and then the paddle dip
ped deep into the water.