Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-06-04
LANGARTH'S JOB
light, 1918, by the Mcclure NeWspa-
per Syndicate.)
BY VINCENT c. PERRY.

Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate.)
1t was one of the quietest seaside
resorts in existence and Murray Lam
garth fully realized this, as he sat on
the beach and stretched, laZily. The
place was almost deserted of male, but
there were plenty of ladies, old and
young. There was no consolation for
Murray in that, though, for he had
made grave mistake, his first week,
by writing a story about the indecent
bathing suits and hoop-skirts, 1t made
a great story, but after that 1t was all
the more difficult to get news, and for
time Murray took it TO heart, but
then he met June Thompson, the only
girl who really counted, and she was
not long in showing him that the opin-
ion of the others didn't count with her.
AS Murray sat on the beach, hoping
something would happen to make a
short news item at least, he heard a
light step behind him and turned to
meet the laughing gaze of June.
"Oh, you look so doleful I" she laugh
ed. "Smile, Murray, smile! If you
knew how frown ill-becomes you, you
would never let those wrinkles stay in
your forehead for an instant. What
is the troubleY
Murray tried to smile as he confessed
the grave outlook.
Lets see if we can't make story"
she suggested, as she spread out her
skirt and sat down beside him. They
put their heads together and planned
for nearly half an hour, stopping now
and then to indulge in a laugh. With
last word of instruction she left him
and started out toward the dock.
Murray looked after her longlngly.
Heavensi He couldn't swim well
enough to rescue anyonel What a
dOugh-head he had beenl
The thought paralyzed him for the
moment, but he recovered sufficiently
to jump to his feet and race after June.
She was not in sight, but he knew she
would wait for him before she fell off
the dock into the water, as they had
etA bAiSSNs Inv pan hOdAd IAiNO ~ 81
now and with it the story. Wasn't
there someone else who could rescue
her-nobody he could trust. What IL
she fell in at his approach, before he
had an opportunity to warn her not to?
That was exactly what she did and he
gave a gasp as he saw her topple off
the dock the minute he hove in sight.
There was only one thing to do, and he
did it, but he forgot that as he struck
out feebly for the spot where June had
gone down for the third time. He
couldn't support her long he knew, but
it was better to die with her than live
without her. Something was keeping
them up. What was It? June enlight-
ened him.
II thought you could swim better
than this" she painted, for she had
swallowed a great deal Of water to
make the rescue realistic. "You're
tagged out, but I can swim well enough
to keep US both up"
Murray was able to help a little, but
June was a remarkable swimmer and
willing hands helped them when they
reached the dock. A crowd had coll
lected in that brief time and the first
person Murray's eyes lit on when he
put his foot on firm ground was Nc
Nulty, q reporter for the Tribune, the
rival sheet.
Don't say anything about this,
Mac" he was able to gasp.
Leave 1t to me-" was Macs answer.
The next morning the Tribune had
full account of it. There was nothing
to do but go home end then get cut of
the city as soon as he could. He would
have to see ~une before he left-he
owed it to her.
way to the Thompson summer cottage.
June was there to welcome him. Her
father wasn't going to deny her that
privilege at any rate.
ooh, Murray, isn't 1t terrible" were
her first words.
'eThe Tribune write-up was the true
one, though"
"TrueI Who said 1t was trueT
"Why-" Murray began, but step
behind him and a warning glance
caused him to stop and face a stout
man. 1t. was June's father. He had
not seen the Tribune, that was appar'
ent by his smile, Murray felt.
''This is Mr.. Langarth, daddy" June
smiled her sweetest.
$50 this is the brave young man
who saved your life, DEAR" Mr.. Thomp'
son said, as he grasped Murray's hand.
"But you have seen the write-up In
the TribuneT' Murray asked, doubt
fully.
"Yes, and I think It's one Of the
worst pieces Of spite work ] have ever
seen. Nobody will believe It,"
I'm afraid they will, sir. think it
will mean have lost my position"
Never mind, Murray" June said as
she linked his arm with her, daddy
is the managing editor of much big.
ger paper than either the Journal or
Tribune, and he is going to give you
good position, aren't you, daddyT
But" Murray began.
"June and / have talked it over, and
she win tell you all about it"