The Coconino sun., 1919-05-16
The House
 Boat
Copyright. ls,s. by wst.ra N.w.D.D.s uaie..
By SADIE EsrKLLE BALcoM

Cuiitu tuc CHuuBt InOntH nHU maOe in her, Albion Merton was truly sor- r0wful. All the brightness of her na- ture seemed to have langulshed when her old father died. He had been confirmed invalid, 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 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 death of Mir. 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 of the few poor sticks of furniture left, and went to an old maid relative who lived a mile down the river road. Lu- cinda Moves.
 Miss Moves was over 90, fragile and poor, had small income from trust investment, could scarcely afford to spare a room or a meal, but she vol untarily proffered shelter to her half niece.
 "We1l manage some way, dear" she said. "Tt's crowded in these three 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 a 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, and left some medicine and the grewsome de- clsion:
 Change of scene and climate, Miss Moves. is all that will do Tbeda 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 a river equipment, and for year, had once a week come around to see Theda and her father. Mir. Wayne had been 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-mlnded. modest young fel- low, gave no outward evidence of his affection for Theda, but when Mir. Wayne died was great comfort to Theda, for he took many of the cares of the occasion from her tired shoul- ders.
 Miss Moves 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 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 Lo =. xDh mental change. "NO. thoroughfare" the future seemed to read. Albion was immersed in Respondent thoughts when a cry aroused him.
 Three hundred yards distant an or dinary house boat was moored. On fits deck man of middle age, getting about with a crutch, was struggling to free himself from the grasp of a rough looking fellow whom Albion at once recognized as one of the numer- ous river thieves of the district.
 The latter swung heavy iron bar and dealt the cripple terrific blow. and as his victim sank to the deck senseless, stopped over him to rife his pOcketS. A SuOut liOiu Aiuioh SuuScu him to hasten away with his booty. Then when Albion reached the strick- en man all he thought of was his resuscItation.
 It took two days nursing to bring Wade Burnham, as 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 little truck farm he had traded for on the river below New Orleans, acquired great liking for Albion. He asked him to join him and he would share .his holdings with him.
 It came about that Albion spoke of the offer to Miss Moves. Then one day he could not resist telling Theda of his great love for her. From that moment new joy came into her life. They were married and then began a honeymoon on the floating home, end ing up at the pretty cottage that stood | in the center of the Burnham farm. UOh what a naradisp 1" murmurod