The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-02-08
EVENING STORY
affecting a Rescue.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

Copyright, 1918, by Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
1t was one of the quietest seaside
resorts in existence and Murray Ian
garth fully realized this, as he sat on
the beach and stretched, lazily. There
hadn't been a thing exciting or even
interesting happen for days and if
something didn't happen soon he felt
he would lose his position. 1t wasn't
his fault, tho, that news was scarce in
the place and that he had to write
column after column of personal
items fictitious ones-to show
them at the Journal office that he was
still alive. He had thought it would
be pleasant to spend the summer at
the seaside, but if he had only known
what it was going to be like he would
never have been persuaded to leave
his society desk.
The place was almost deserted of
males, but there were plenty of ladies.
old and young. There was no con-
ISOLATION for Murray in that, tho, for
he had made grave mistake, his
first, week, by writing a story about
indecent bathing suits and hoop
skirts. 1t made a great story, but
after that it was all the more difficult
to get news. and for a 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 opinion 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 dolefuli she
laughed. Smile, Murray, smilei If
you knew how a frown ill-becomes
you, you would never let those .wrin-
kles stay in your forehead for an in
slant What is the trouble %
Murray tried to smile as he con-
feSSed 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
a last word of instruction she left
him and started out toward the dock
Murray looked after her, -1ongingly.
What a wonderful girl she was and
had chosen him a friend. OF course
she hadn't had much choice but he
hoped if she had, it> would still have
been the same. This plan of hers
was just the thing and the possibility
of anyone catching-on was vague. But
what if they did? What if it wasn't
as great a success as they were sure
it would be? Heavensi He couldn't
swim well enough to rescue anyone!
What a dough-head he had been,
The thought para1yzed 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 arranged. The plan would
have to go now and with 1t the story
Wasn't there someone else who could
rescue her-nobody he could trust.
What if 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 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 for
got that as he struck out feebIy for
the spot where June had gone down
He was farther from the place than
he had thought and by the time he
reached it June had disappeared for
the second time She was drowned
and it was all his fault But she
hadn't. She was going down for the
third time when he clutched He
couldn't support her long he knew,
but it was better to die with her than
live without her after she had done I
for him. Something was keeping them
up. What was it? June enlightened
him.
Il thought you could swim better
than this" she painted, for she had
|
make the rescue realistic. You're
ragged out, but 1 can swim well
enough to keep us both up
m nearly dead" he groaned with
relief as he remembered that June
was a good swimmer. why hadn't he
thought of that before?
No, you're not" she encouraged, as
she struck out for the dock. There
is lots of life in you yet. If you had
swallowed half the oceanlike I have
you would have something to talk
about. Strike out"
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 col
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. reporter for the Tribune. the
rival sheet.
Don't say anything about this,
Mac he was able to gasp.
Leave it to me- was Macs answer
Murray was too tagged out to notice
that McNulty questioned some of the
onlookers for particulars.
The next morning the Tribune had
a full account of it, journal Re-
porter Nearly Drowned in Attempted
Rescue" was the heading and the story
went on to tell how the young lady
who was being rescued found 1t neces-
sary'- to lend a hand to her wouid-be