The Carlisle independent., 1917-06-21
SALT WATER ROMANCE
By WILLIS ARkwRiGAT.

 discharge you at a moments notice and leave you penni1ess to face your landlady while you hunted for another place
 If you were an orphan and had no relatives to extend hand i'll pinch if you had hall room in q boarding heuse-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 ysu had no beau
 If you sat down to face the future and come to conclusion, what would it be?
 Every girl has right to look for ward to love and matrimony and d home. Miss June Benton knew this. and after an hours interview with her self she came to conclusion
 "No, it isn't worth the living" she said.
 The thought of ending 1t aH did not frighten her in the least. Indeed, it was rather a relief. She planned the particulars just as calmly as she would plan walk to the park, and then went to bed to sleep the sound est she had in month. She walked into the office next morning to say to the manager:
 'I am not feeling well, and I want to take day off"
 T am going to suggest that yon take year or two off !" was his heart less reply. "None of you girls seems to know when you have soft jobl'
 Miss June Benton took street car for one of the ocean beaches. She bade good-by to none of the girls she had worked with. She was smiling as she rode.
 Bathing suit? Yes, miss," said tho woman at the bathhouse. Better be careful, for the tide is going out, and at this hour the life-savers are not on duty"
 June wandered along the beach un- til she found board that would float her, and then she entered the water and went floating.
 Slowly but steadily the tide carried the girl out. It was like floating in the air. For the first time in long months her mind was carefree, and she sang as she floated.
 T will drift out mile and then let go!" she said
 No shrinking No fear. No regrets. Why should there be? Why not sing?
 Say, now, but you are the happiest girl l ever came across drifting out to sea!'
 It was voice at June's elbow, and a mans hand was laid upon her float.
 "1-I-"
 Don't be startled!"
 It was young man in bathing suit. He had 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. ''I tried to see how far out I 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. Are you an expert swimmer?"
 q can't swim strokel'' And her face told why she was there.
 She released her hold on the float. but he grasped her wrist and sternly said:
 "None O that, now. Because. right here is what they call Shark Reef. The moment you let go you will be seized by shark. It isn't pleasant deathw
 "Oh, I don't want to be devoured by shark y she walled.
 But you came out to die"
 "Yes, but Oh, it was dreadfully silly! I know you are thinking it was idioticr'
 Somewhat like my case" laughed the man. 'I strained the muscles of my right leg three weeks ago, and yet l came down here for a ten-mile swim five out and five back"
 But now-now?" asked June.
 Having acted like two idiots we are now driven to act with some sense. but our latitude is limited. Our only hope is to be picked up and that the sea will remain quiet until after that event. It does not require much conr- age or muscle to hang to the plank"
 "But I don't want to die'' sobbed June. Mot noww
 And I've got something to live for It's chance. When we rose on that last grOundswell I saw an ocean tug standing in for us."
 "If you don't want to die-T said the man to the girl as he put his arm around her weeks afterward.
 But I have everything to live for now" she answered.
 "Then let us cling together and float"
 Copyright, 1917, by the McClare Newspa-
 per Syndicate)