The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1908-07-17
THE EVENING STORY
Bradley's Building.
CBy Andrew Phail.)

1t was tiny little island. The year
before Dick Staley had threatened to
come back some day and carry 1t on
in shoebox. But such as 1t was II
was Barton Bradley's own, and he was
Immensely 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 TINS /
little island from its woodsman owner |
and had spent a de1ghtful summer
bacon, and in the intervals planning |
the play that had brought him recog- |
milton.
His first royalties had gone to pay for
the little island, and now, when brau-
ley pitched his tent early In May, ne
went to work to build log hut that
should form a more permanent camp. |
Since success had come he was IN q
position to build camp as eianora.e
as any Of the electrically lighted stean
heated structures which masqueraoeV
as camps in the fashionable colony at
the upper end Of the lake. but Bradley
would have none of these. ,s
AS far as possible the camp snouo
be his own handiwork. He even re-
belled at the necessity for assistance In
raising the logs when the walls reacn-
ed height above his ability to nahoie
the heavy logs.
He made the island his sanctuary
and thing apart from the ouss
months of the winter season. no one
save Staley had ever been invited TO
the place and only the guide who
sometimese came to see that all was
well or leave mail when Bradley lack
ed the time to row down to the little
village ever braved the mo Trespass
signs with which the shore prlstleo.
So it happened that Bradley, tramp
| ing over his five-acre domain, was
astonished to see a canoe on the shore
| and a girl calmly eating late luncn
under the very sign forbidding iano-
| ing.
| with crisp brown curls, escaping from
| a Tam o'Shanter and Stray1ng over
cheek on which the red showed brave
ly through the tan.
Bradley approved her costume OF
| brown. It was so unlike the frocks or
the fashionables, who dressed not for
/ the woods but for the men In camp
| and with an eye for spectacular Ell
] feet.
| But, notwithstanding the fact that
Bradley approved OF the slenoer'
| well-built figure, he resented the IN
/ trusion on his island.
He hated the fashionable crowd and
| here was one at his very door-per
! haps the advance guard OF a horoe OF
| lion hunters who would overrun the
1
| 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 Tor So
ciety.
at is too bad that you cannot read"
he said with what was intended to be
cutting sarcasm, though tnsensibly his
| voice softened as he looked into TWO
| glorious brown eyes.
at know what you mean, declared
the girl with a laugh and a meaning
glance at the forbidding sign, but 1
was tired padding, and when Il saw
| you at work on the hut 1 knew that
| the owner was not here, and I 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 it's appetizins sand
| witches and dainty cake.
I'm human enough to be hungry.
she explained with a little laugh,
| "but 1 always carry more than need.
Bradley looked into the brown eyees
and was lost. He accepted sand
| witch and sank down on a rock op-
| posite the one on which she was Sit
"Who is the horrid man who won't
let US land on this little Eden?" de-
rlanded the girl
II Ties a New York chap." OK
planned Bradley noncommittally. "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 understand
There are people even up there who
love the woods and hate the poor imi-
tatioa of Newport. Newport.' she
added in explanation, sis a fashion
able colony down on the Rhode Island
shore"
eve heard Of it." assented Brad
ley, the scene of whose latest comedy
had been laid in that verv resort. He
was glad that this girl mistOok him for
guide. 1t would be a pity to unde-
ceive her and place their impromptu
| acquaintance upon 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
J The girl forgot that she was talking
. to a quite and Bradley, in turn forgot
colony of fashionable folk who were
aong 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 ling
cred so long. and with little sigh of
regret Bradley watched her paddle
away, handling the frail canoe as clev-
erly 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 Mace now and the lighter work
, remained.
The girl bradley soon knew her to
!, be Miss Nannette Cowdrey) found the
completion of the cabin a matter of