The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-10-19
HE PADDLED WITH ONE HAND TOWARD
THE RAFT.


watching the little head bobbing
through the surf to the same goal.
He never had chance to speak. She
was not the kind of girl man spoke
tic without excuse. but of late there
had been Il sort of friendliness in her
glance as she had climbed to the raft.
More than once Canning had wished
that she might have Il cramp-iust a
tiny little one-so that he might go to
her rescue and thus break the conven-
tional ice
She was nowhere in sight today.
The water was unusually rough. and
the life guards were pacing the beach
restlessly instead of occupying their
usual pcrches, but rough water could
not prevent her from taking her daily
dip and Canning wondered what the
matter was.
Then suddenly he caught sight of a
blue and white dot out on the water,
and he strobe into the surf. 1t was
reckless for the girl to try to make the
raft in this sea. He wondered that the
guards had not called her back.
Once in the water. he advanced with
powerful strokes, following the girl
ahead. 1t was no easy matter for him
to make Roadway at first, and he won
dered how she was faring farther out
She must have been making slow
progress, for he could see that he was
gaining on her. She was not more than
hundred feet from the raft now
and he was some fifty feet behind her,
when suddenly she threw up her arms,
with Il Cry, and disappeared under the
water.
He fought his way desperately to-
ward the spot where she had disap,
peared and came up to her just as she
rose for the second time.
Turn on your back" he command
ed. Il will get YOU to the float. Don't
be afraid"
He caught her just in time. and
slowly he padded with one hand to-
ward the raft. 1t was a difficult mat
ter to get her on the raft unaided, but
the realization that he would have to
work quickly gave him new strength
She had lost consciousness. and his
first care was to administer first aid
1t was several minutes before her eye
lids huttered 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 | am" she said after a moment
1T must have been hard work getting
me on to the raft"
"Thc swell made it difficult" he ex-
planned. once or twice l thought I
had lost you. but held on"
Il suppose we can get them to send
out a boat for us" she commented. 1T
would not be easy to swim back"
1T would be out Of the question" he
declared
1T looks longer than ever before"
she said with a little shudder as she
glanced out over the heaving water.
The hotels 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. do not be alarmed" he said
quietly, but | am afraid the raft is
loose"
But it was moored at four cornersw
she exclaimed How could it get
loose?"
''1'he logs rot in the water. SUP
pose raised the edge out Of water as
/ climbed on and the swell tore it
loose. At any rate, we are in for a
cruise unless we can signal the shore"
They stood up together and waved
frantically, but apparently the little
tragedy had passed unnoticed on shore,
and there was no answering signal that
they could perceive. At last tired by
their eXertions, they sank down on the
raft and faced the situation.
1.-THE coastwise steamers come close
In to shore here" he said reassuringly.
There will be good chance of being
taken off before night. Perhaps at the
iurn of the tide we may drift back"
Il hope something happens" she shlv-
cred ut seems so dreadful to be car