The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-08-08
cANNING's CRUISE.
By Clarence odeII.

| tlILIe UdInlnk cup anu " WaS WAth ea gesture of impatience that he searched I the beach and the little knot of bath I CTS clinging to the life ropes. 1 Ever since the girl had first ap- l peared on the beach Canning had been | interested. She was a splendid swim | mer, vastly different from the girls
 who clung to the ropes and gave lit-
 tie shrieks every time wave rolled | in. She headed straight for the raft
 with strong, steady strokes. and kept
 away from the fiirtatious group in the l shadows.
 Canning admired her for it. and he was frequently found on the raft watching the little head bobbing 1 through the surf to the same goal. | He never had chance to speak; she was not the kind of girl man spoke l to without excuses but of late there i had been a sort of friendliness in her glance as she had climbed to the raft | More than once Canning had wished l that she might have a cramp. just a tiny little one. 50 that he might go | to her rescue and thus break the con- ventional ice.
 She was nowhere in sight today l The water was unusually rough and l the life guards were pacing the beach I restlessly, instead of occupying their l usual perches. but rough water could
 not precent her from taking her daily dip. and Canning wondered what the i matter was.
 l Then suddenly he caught sight of a I blue and white dot out on the water.
 and he strode Into the surf. It was
 reckless for the girl to try to make
 the raft in this sea. He wondered
 that the guards had not called her I back.
 Once in the water he advanced with powerful strokes. following the girl
 ahead. It was no easy matter for him | to make headway at first, and he
 wondered how she was fartng farther out.
 She must have been making slow progress. wor he could see that he was gaining on her. She was not more
 than a hundred feet from The raft now and he was some fifty feet behind her,
 when suddenly she threw up her arms with a 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 commanded
 T will get you to the float. Don't be afraid"
 He caught her just in time and slow ly he padded with sone hand toward the raft.It was a difficult matter to get her on the raft unaided. but the realization that he would have to work quickly gave him new srength. She had lost consciousness and his first care was to administer first aid It was several mnutes before her eye lids futtered and he knew that he had won that battle. When at last he sank down on the boards beside her to rest before even trytng to signal the life guards
 You seem to be more exhausted than am," she said. after a moment. Tt must have been hard work getting me onto the raft"
 "The swell made it difncult." he ex- plained. "once or twice thought I had lost you, but held on."
 T suppose we can get them to send out a boat for us7" she commented Tt would not be easyfn to swim back"
 Tt would be out of the question: he declared.
 Tt 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 moment. then sprang to his feet with a cry. face. Do not be alarmed" he sald quietly, "but am afraid the raft is loose"
 "But it was rnoored at four cornersr' she exclaimed. How could 1t get loose9"
 ''The logs rot in the water. I suppose I raised the edge out of water as I climbed on. and the swell tore 1t loose. At any rate. we are in for a cruise un- less 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 answaEing signal that they could perceive. At last. tir- ed by their exertions. they sank down on the raft and faced the situation.
 '"The coastwise steamers come close in to shore hera." he said, reassurinsly. There will be a good chance of being taken off before night Perhaps at the turn of the tide we may drift back"
 T hope something happens" she shivered Tt seems so dreadful to be carried out to sea-"
 we at lenst have raft" he com forted. Suppose you had to keep swimming?"
 'T should have given up long ago. she said. "As 1t was I should be dead now had it not been for you."
 T was afraid you would have some trouble" he said. when I saw what you had undertaken to do"
 Did you follow me out on purposeT' she asked. wonderingly. T didn't know any one had seen me. Tho guards warned me against trying, but I want ed to see lF I couldn't, and I did-al- most"
 That was the only reason that brought mo ont" he said "I saw your bathing cap. and knew it was you"
 And I am the reason for your be- ing ont here?" she asked. wondering ly. q am responsible for your dan ger, tooT'
 Not at all" he protested. warmly q am only too glad that was in time to be of service"
 "I thought it was because you want ed to come" she explained "I have noticed that you were such a good swimmer"
 T have wished hundreds of times that I knew you" he admitted. q have admired your swimming ever since you came"
 My name Is Rose Wilcox"
 T am Harry Canning." he respond ed formally "I am glad to meet you. Miss Wilcox
 Their hands met in hearty clasp. She colored when she perceived that he was still holding 1t, and for moment she moved away Then she drew closer to him again, and they sat there and chatted while their eyes searched tho horizon for the sign of sail or ateamer.