The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-08-25
THE EVENING STORY
Cannlng,s CruIse.


Canning. running down the beach. look
ed about for the familiar blue ana white
turban. Somehow he had come TO expect
the sight of the odd little bathing cap
and it was with gesture of impotence
that he searched the beach and the little
knot of bathers clinging to the life ropes.
Ever since the girl had first appeared on
the beach Canning had been interested
She was a splendid swimmer Vastly OH
ferent from the girls who chung 70 the
ropes and gave little shrieks every time d
wave rolled in. She headed straight tcr
the raft with strong, steady strokes, ana
kept away from the 1lirtaIl0us group II
the shadows.
Canning admired her for it, and he was
frequently found on the raft watching the
little head bobbing through the surf TO
the same goal. He never had chance
man spoke to without excuse DQI OF 4ate
there had been a sort Of TriendtlneSS N
ner glance as she mad cilfnoea % me [ t1,.a
More than once Canning mad wished tn1t
she might have a cramp. just a tiny little
one, SO that he might go 10 her rescue
She was nowhere in sight today. The
water was unusually rough and the NE
guards were pacing the beach restlessly,
Instead of occupying their usual perches,
but rough water could not prevent ner
from taking her daily dip. and Canning
Then suddenly he caught sight of
blue and white dot out on the water ana
Tor the girl to try 10 make me fa1t N N
this sea He wondered that the guards
I mad not called her DaCk.
powerful strokes, following the girl ahead
1t was no easy matter for him to make
headway at first, and he wondered now
she was faring farther out
She must have been making slow pro
gress, for he could see that he was gain
ing on her She was not more than 100
I feet from the raft now and he was some
50 feet behind her, when suddenly she
appeared under the water.
He fought his way desperately toward
the spot where she had disappeared and
came up to her just as she rose for the
second time
7 will get you to the float. Don't be afraid .
He caught her Just in time and slowly
! he padded with one hand toward the raIt
/ It was a difficult matter to get her on the
raft unaided, but the realization that he
would have to work quickly give hln new
/ strength She had lost consciousness, and
his first care was to administer first aid
It was several minutes before her seyehds
fIutJered and he knew that he had won
that battle. When at last he was assured
that she was all right he sank down on
/ the boards beside her to rest before even
trying to signal the life guards
you seem to be more exhausted than I
/ am she said, after moment. 1t must
/ have been hard work getting me onto the
1.-The swell made it difficult" he ex-
planned. -Once or twice 1 thought l had
/ lost you, but l held on.
Il suppose you can get them to send
out a boat for us2'' she commented 1t
would not be easy to swim back
1T looks longer than ever before she
said, with a little shudder, as she glanced
out over the heaving water. Inc notes
seem so much smaller
Canning glanced up for a moment then
sprang to his feet with a cry Presently
he turned to her with grave face; DC
not be alarmed" he said, quietly, but
am afraid the raft is loose -
But it was moored at four corners.
she exclaimed How could it get loose p
1.-The logs rot in water. 1 suppose rails
Cd he edo n q & climbed
and the swell tore 1t loose. At any rate,
we are IN for a cruise unless we can sig
nal the shore.
/ They stood up together and waved fran
ticaIly, but apparently the little tragedy
had passed unnotlced- on shore ana tne1e
was no answering signal that they couiu
perceive. At last tired by their exertions,
they sank down on the raft and faced
."The coastwise steamers come close in
/ to shore here, he said reassuringly.
There will be a good chance of being ia
! ken off before night. Perhaps at the turn
of the tide we may drift back
Il hope something happens, she shiv-
| cred 1T seems so dreadful to be carried
I'VE at least have a raft" he continued.
Suppose you had to keep swimming? ?"
7 should have given up long ago. she
said. LAS it was I should be dead now
had it not been for you -
trouble, he said. when I saw what you
had undertaken to do" -
she asked. wonderinglv. 7 didn't know
any one had seen me- The guards warned
me against trying; but wanted to see II
That was the only reason that brought
me ont" he said. Il saw your bathing
cap. and knew It was you.
And I am the reason of you being out
here?', she asked. wonderingly. II am re-
spooGHsible for your danger Rs tooa 81
am only too glad that was in time to be
of service
7 thought it was because you wanted
TO come" she explained I have noticed
that you were such a good swimmer.
4 have wished hundreds of times that
I knew you" he admitted Il have adj
mired your swimming ever since you
my name is Rose wilcox"
7 am Harry Canning he responded
formally. Il am glad to meet you. Miss
Wilcox
Their hands met in hearty clasp. She
colored when she perceived that he was
still holding It; and for a moment she
moved away. Then she drew closer to him
again, and they sat there and. chatted
while thcir eyes searched the hor-
lion for the sign of a sail or steamer
They soon found that they knew COM
mon friends and this swept away Rose S
last barrier of reserve and she gossiped
on as Il they had known each other for
So engrossed did they become that they
everything save the fact that they found
each other wonderfully congenial.
It was with a start that they heard
painting behind them. and turned to see
steam yacht drawing ALONGSIDE In a few
minutes they had been taken off. and with
the raft towing behind the yacht turned
back TO shore.
II like this style OF cruising better =
laughed Rose as they sat on the deck
wrapped in blankets And Just to think
that we were in sight of the yacht for
half an hour and never thought Of turn
inc around"
TT never occurred to me that they
would have to telephone the inlet for a
boat" he explained. though might have
known"
Il am little sorry the cruise stopped
so suddenly she confessed shy1y. Il had
even forgotten that it was getting near
lunch time"
Lets make the next cruise in a yacht"
he suggested.
I'VE could get up a party" she assent
IT don't want party" he declared. "A
party you'd be de trop on honeymoon