The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1908-01-29
The Flood
and
What it Brought
By Arthur b. Rhinow.

Inc OhiO rose at the rate OF lnree
Inches an hour while the little tribu-
tary rushed into the broad stream like
q torrent. The old man on the deck
of the shanty boat scanned the hori-
zon for rift. After brief examina-
tion, however, he shock his head.
Looks like it's going to keep it up
for some time yet" he grumbled in a
deep voice.
"0ver there in the east, the clouds
do not look quite so dark, father" re-
piled the girl sitting at his side. She
seemed strangely out of place on the
old boat. SO did her father, who could
mot altogether disguise the refinement
o1 former days. They had taken refuge
on this houseboat because their lit
die farm was flooded.
I'VE were poor before, Nora,' he
ngain broke the silence; but now we
are homeless. We'd have been drowned
like rats, if it hadn't been for old Joe
getting us"
The old man stared at the relentless
current as he spoke. Every word
seemed to be uttered with strain.
Nora regarded him with filial solici-
tude, as she pushed back her chair so
as TO be better sheltered by the avn
ing. Her eyes were filled with tears.
Old Joe was strumming his banjo.
He was oblivious to all danger. He
was not afraid of getting wet. To the
accompanying splash and rush of rain
and river, he hummed and strummcd
his favorite melodies. The selections
were rendered with such pathos, and
such display of uniqueness in improv-
ing the original tunes, that the girl
could not help smiling But when he
drifted into "Old Kentucky Home,' she
trembled and quickly glanced at her
father.
He looked very sad as he sat there
dreaming, his foot beating time to the
old air. The song was ended with
fine flourish, and Joe rose to go into
the cabin for a nap; but the express
sion of grief did not fade from the
mans old face.
"Yes," he growled, my old Ken
tucky home"
Look at those logs drifting down."
Nora remarked as sprightly as her
tears would permit.
He did not look. "The idea of
cheating man out of his old home
stead, and by his old comrade too"
he muttered.
Surely father, the east is growing
much brighter"
Driving an old man from his home,
because he's lost scrap of paper"
He shook his fist, rose and stepped
out from under the canvas, regardless
OF the rain.
The girl constrained him to come
back, but she could not prevent his
hot words
And l can swear paid every cent
Of it" he continued THAT sickly pol
troon knows it, too. hate him; him
and his whole family; he's a liar
Father" she pleaded, perhaps he
Is far less happy than you know. Be-
sides, he is sick. And then, you know
George is different; he always was
good to u.s." She did not look at her
father as she made the last remark.
How can l care for the son of the
man who has wronged me as that
scoundrel did?" the father roared.
They were silent He scowled as
ne thought< of the past; she smiled
as she dreamed of the future.
After while, Nora suddenly
jumped up and intently gazed at an
object which was being swiftly borne
down the smaller stream.
"A boat, father" she exclaimed
Look at that boat! | believe it is in
danger of being upset by the logs"
The father looked, quickly rose to
his feet, and took in the situation with
eyes that age had scarcely made less
keen.
"The fool has lost his oars" he
muttered. IF the logs hit him, his
nobby boat will surely keel over
Seems to me / know him; do you?"
As he turned to the girl, he say that
the color had left her cheek.
IT'S George, father!" she cried, as
be steadied her. Don't you know
3imf"
The father looked again, just In
lme TO see the boat capsize. He had
becognized the face. however, and a
grim determination took possession of
his heart. This was the chance for
revenge for all he had suffered.
The girls shrek reused him from
his indifference.
The current will sweep him right
BY our boat, father. Quick. the rope!"
The father did not stir.
The girl dragged the coil to the
e1se Of the deck, but 1t was heavy