The Lamar register., 1919-09-03
The House
Boat
Copyright. 1913. b, w..t.r. Newspaper U.io..
By SADIE EsrKLLE BALcoM

He was thinking of Theda Wayne
as he walked along the shore 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
ture seemed to have langulshed when
her old father died. He had been q
confirmed invalid. "A great care to her,
but the loving devotion she exerted
through FIVE years in his behalf
had obscnred all other interests. Then
when the reaction came 1t seemed as
though all the props Of life were sud
denly removed. and Theda collapsed
like an overburdened being worn out
and weary to the limit.
With the denth 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 on the
few poor sticks OF furniture left. and
went to an old maid relative S$.r
lived a mile down the river roa>A Lu-
cinda Noyes.
Miss Noyes was ovev ~. fragile and
poor had a small income from IA trust
Investment. could scarcely AFFORD TO
spare room or meal, but she vol
unfairly proffered shelter to her half
niece.
"weTl manage some way. dear"
h.. rrAxpdad N fhaGa fhra0
little rooms occupy. but we'll try to
get along You mustn't worry be
yond that for the present, child. You
are so near breakdown that It's
question II even nursing and rest will
help you. but well try. FOR one good
long month you mustn't lift your I'm
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. anf 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 shack. some boats
and river equipment, and for a year
bod arnnph IN go
Theda and her father. Mr.. Wayne had
been great reader. Albion had an
ambition for a better education. and
the old man and his books became
great help to him. Then admiration.
friendship and finally love for Theda
had become a new allurement. He
was o clenn-mInded. modest young fel-
low, gave no outward evidence OF his
affection for Theda. but when Mr..
Wayne died was great comfort to
Theda for he took many of the cares
of the occasion from her tired shoul-
ders.
Miss Noyes had told Albion OF the
doctors report. and letter as he went
down the river shore Albion's clear
face betrayed deep anxiety. 1t seemed
as though he must stand helplessly
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 rfsked through an expert
mental change. mo thoroughfare"
the future seemed to read. Albion
was Immersed in despondent thoughts
when a cry aroused him.
Three hundred yards distant an or
dinary house boat was moored. On
its deck man of middle age, getting
about with crutch. was struggling
to free himself from the grasp of a
rough looking fellow whom Albion at
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, as the cripple was
named. back to normal condition. All
%t. Alma AIbtn,, .,..g hfS aatI.nt halp-