The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-06-09
EVENING STORY
Salt Water Romance.
(By Willis Arkwright.) }


were a stenographer in big office
if you only had a moderate salary
if the manager. who was a crank.
could discharge you at a moments
notice and leave you penniless to face
your landlady while you hunted for
another place:
If you were an orphan and had no
relatives to extend a hand in a pinch
If you had hall room in a board
ing house-if you had to keep the
cost of your meals down to an exact
penny-if you had no amusements,
because of the cost and the fact that
you had no beau:
If you sat down to face the future
and come to a conclusion, what would
it be?
Every girl has right to look for
ward to love and matrimony and a
home. Miss June Benton knew this.
and after an hours interview with
herself she came to a conclusion.
mo, it isn't worth the living" she
said.
The thought of ending it all did not
frishten her in the least. Indeed, it
was rather relief. She planned the
particulars just as calmly as she
would plan a walk in the park, and
then went to bed to sleep the soundest
she had in a month. She walked into
the office next morning to say TO the
manager:
Il am not feeling well, and I want
to- take day off,
Il was going to suggest that you
heartless reply. None of YOU girls
seems to know when you have a soft
job!'
Miss June Benton took a street car
for one of the ocean beaches She
babe good-by to none of the girls she
had worked with. She was smiling
as she rode. She passed thru streets
of riches. and she did not envy the
jewellers therein. She passed thru
streets of poverty, and she had no
pity
Let them do as I am going to-"
she whispered to herself.
Bathing suit? Yes. miss" said the
woman at the bathhouse. Nice day
for bath. The water is very agree
able. Do you swim?"
mot much"
Better be careful then, for the tide
is going out and at this hour the life
savers are not on duty"
June wandered along the beach I'M
til she found a board that would float
her, and then she entered the water
pie about, butSat the beaches little
attention is paid to the vagaries of
lone bathers.
Slowly but steadily the tide carried
the girl out. 1t was like floating in
the air. For the first time in long
months her mind was carefree, and
she sang as she floated.
II will drift out a mile and then let
go!" she said
No shrinking. No fear. No regrets
Why should there be? Why not sing?
Why not be glad that the end was so
near? A mile out. A little longer
and she would release her hold. Sing,
Keep singingi
Say, now, but you are the happiest
girl ever came across drifting out to
sea!'
1t was a voice at June's elbow, and
mans hand was laid upon her float
"I-I-'
Don't be startled"
He was a young man in a bathing
suit. He had a kindly but strong
face, and his deep voice was good to
hear. His bare arms were sun-tanned
and his cheeks almost the color of
leather.
Not life saver by occupation" he
| smiled. Il tried to see how far out 1
could swim and get back safely Guess
L overdid it. If you hadn't happened
along it would have been all over with
me in five minutes more. Have YOU
started for Nantucket"
Mo"
! Are you an expert swimmer"
I can't swim a stroke."
Then what under heavens are YOU
doing out here! Don't you know that
you II be miles farther out when the
| I1Qe turns
Miss June looked at him without
answering
oh, see"' he said when ne had
read the truth in her face
She released her hold on the float
| but he gra sped her wrist and sternly
said:
! None c that, now"
But its not for you to interfe ~
she answered as she struggled against
him.
"Oh, isn't it. Well, in the first
place the law would probably charge
we are in for long drift and L want
company. My name is Harry Med
ford, ami l am office manager for.
Dunstan Co in the city Never mind
your name just now. Isn't that a
plank out there?
June shut her lips tightly and re-
fused to look
ITS a pie nk sure enough" cortin-
ued Medford, and we want it. If T
SWIM for II will you hang on here?'
! Not Word from her.
Because, you see, right her, is
what they call Shark Reef. The mo.
ment you let go you will be seized bv
shark It isn't pleasant DEATH"
AS June's eyes opened wide with
horror he swan away from the p,ank
and soon rejoined her. Her iimbs
were drawn up, and she was feeIin o
thrills of terror
Catch hold, here This plank will
IioaI US until something happens
'Oh, MI. Medfor,i. I don't wan+ 70
be devoured by a shark," she walled
But you come out to die"
| es, but Oh, it was dreadfu1Iv
silly! | know you are thinking if was
idiotici'' - vas
Somewhat like my case laughed
the man. Il strained the muscles of
my right leg three weeks ago, and vet
came down here for ten-mile swim
five out and five back"
/ But now-now?" asked June
Having acted like two idiots Ive. a 80
now driven to act yith some sense, but
our latitude is limited. Our only hope
is to be picked up and that the sea
VIII remain quiet until after thai
event does NOT reO,tira ,,,.,,