Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-06-06
The House
Boat
Copyright. 1919. By Western Nswsp.ps. Union. :,
BY SADIE ESTELLE BALLOON

"S hS "aiheu aloHS lne ShOrC OF the
! great spreading river, and as he re-
called the change month had made
in her, Albion Merton was truly sor-
rowful. All the brightness of her ma
t1re seemed to have languished when
her Old father died. He had been n
confirmed invalid. Il great care to her,
but the loving devotion she exerted
through five years in his behalf
had obscured all other interests. Then
| when the reaction came it seemed as
though all the props of life were sud-
denly removed, and Theda collapsed
like an overwhelmed being worn out
and weary to the limit.
With the death of Mr. Wayne there
expired the pension which, with what
Theda could sell Of their small gar
den produce, had kept their heads just
above water. They did not own the
little place where they lived. Theda
could not hope to continue the lease
and make living. SO she sold Off the
few poor sticks Of furniture left, and
went to an old maid relative who
lived mile down the river road, Lu-
cinda Noyes.
Miss Noyes was over so, fragile and
poor, had n small income from a trust
investment, could scarcely afford to
| spare room or meal. but she vol
unfairly proffered shelter to her half
niece
well manage some way, DEAR"
she said. ITS crowded in these three
little rooms I occupy, hut we'll try to
get along. You mustn't worry be-
yond that for the present, child. You
are so near q breakdown that it's
question If even nursing and rest will
help you, but we'll try. For one good
long month you mustn't lift your fin
ger, not even Think
Theda smiled listlessly and declared
she would be all right in day or
two. but before the end Of the first
week in her new home she was in
bed and likely to stay there for some
time to come. The village doctor
shook his head solemnly. anN left
some medicine and the grewsome de-
cision:
Change Of scene and climate, Miss
Noyes, is all that will do Theda any
good"
The gentle hearted spinster told Al
bion Merton Of this with tears in her
eyes. Albion was an Independent
fisherman and pearl gatherer along
the Iowa shore of the great Father Of
Waters, owned a shack, some boats
and river equipment, and for q year
had once a week come around to see
Theda and her father. Mr.. Wayne had
been a great reader. Albion had an
ambition for better education, and
the old man and his books became a
great help to him. Then admiration,
friendship and finally love for Theda
had become a new allurement. He
was clean-minded, modest young fell
low, gave no outward evidence Of his
affection for Theda, but when Mr..
Wayne died was a great comfort to
Theda, for he took many of the cares
Of the occasion from her tired Shout
ders.
Miss Noyes had told Albion Of the
doctors report, and later as he went
down the river shore AlbiOn's clear
face betrayed deep anxiety. It seemed
as though he must stand felplessly
by and see Theda fade away, day by
day. Like himself poverty bound her
to an environment from which she
could not escape. AS to Albion even
the meager living he was assured
could not be risked through an expert
mental change. "No thoroughfare"
the future seemed to read. Albion
was Immersed in Respondent thoughts
when cry aroused him.
Three hundred yards distant an or
binary house boat was moored. On
les deck man Of middle age, getting
about with a crutch, was struggling
to free himself from the grasp Of q
rough looking fellow whom Albion Mt
once recognized as one of the numer-
GUS river thieves Of the district.
The latter swung a heavy iron bar
and dealt the cripple terrific blow,
and as his victim sank to the deck
senseless, stopped over him to rifle his
pockets. A shout from Albion caused
him to hasten away with his booty.
Then when Albion reached the strick-
en- man all he thought of was his
resuscitation.
1t took two days nursing to bring
Wade Burnham. rs the cripple was
named, back to normal condition. All
the time Albion was his patient, help
full nurse. The grateful man on his
way to Nttle truck farm he had
traded for on the river below New
Orleans, acquired a great liking for
Albion. He asked him to join him
and he would share his holdings with
him.
1t came about that Albion spoke of
the offer to Miss Noyes. Then one
day he could not resist telling Theda
of his great love for her. From that
In, T.. ne