Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-02-02
An Evenings Story
For ez0S Readers
AKlNDLY
FRESHET
BY T. 4. ANDERSON

saw 6AS9k "a 9
ers had departed, the front door wal
locked. but he made nc move to pro
coed up stairs where he lived with his
family. His son and helper. Gregory
yawned YEARLY.
"Going to waitf" he inquired.
eyes, this is Thursday night, you
know"
That's so-Morton BridgesT
The father nodded as~sentingly. The
o dozed La his chair. He was aroused
by q sharp tap at the rear door.
Make yourself scarce" spoke the
father, Bridges don't like to have
anybody around when he after
his weekly supplies" and old Jabes
proceeded to the rear door.
He opened 1t to disclose a msn OF
perhaps thirty, although his trampish
attire and neglected beard made him
look ten years older.
"It's you Bridges, is IT." PROFOUND
ed Jabez, but his visitor simply nod
ed an assent that was wordless. The
s~torekeeper accepted d written sheet
Of paper which the visitor had placed
on the counter with two capacious bas-
kets. he stood like a statue until
Jabez had filed the long written Or
der, packed the articles and figured up
their price. Bridges paid his bill and
left the place as silently as he had
ONE
For two years, every Thursday Of
the week Morton Bridges. hermit, had
gone through this same UNMARRIED per.
he had never missed that weekly visit
to the store. No one had eve been
present there except JRbez, only a
few Of the villagers had een that
ghost-like figure steal into the town.
Morton Bridges was q promising
young business man when he fell in
love with Naomi Brill. For six months
they were seen together, then all Of a
sudden. because Of q trivial lovers
quarrel there was a separation. The
local newspaper one day announced
the prospective marriage of Miss Brill
to n Bradley Wayne. The next day
Morton Bridges sold out his business
and disappeared.
1t was some time before his friends
learned of. his whereabouts. Then a
man who had been hunting told of
coming across the fugitive, the exile
on Waverly island, a small body Of
land situated In the middle Of a branch
Of the turbulent Black river. The dis
coverer Of the missing man had hailed
Bridges at a distance, but the latter
had made no acknowledgment Of the
greeting and had disappeared within
q small lightly constructed hut where
he had isolated himself. Bridges had
shut himself off from the world COM
His only contact with 1t was
when he visited the store Of Jabez
to purchase household neces-
to add to his rather restricted
menu Of nsh and game.
1t was destined, however, that this
system was to be disturbed.
He did not appear at the general store
Thursday following that Just de-
Again Jabez Arnold and his
sat up to meet him. They even
on duty an hour beyond the
prescribed time. Then Sleepy-headed
Gregory Grossly suggested that they
had done their full duty.
Eyes" acquiesced the father. "It's
the floods, Gregory. They say the
Black river Is a roaring torrent, and
the island pretty near out Of sight"
This was not literally true, but the
sweeping waters, fed by a period Of
phenomenal rains, the daily encroach-
upon the island had made it dan
for Bridges to leave the lonely
spot he called home. Then came the
The water had for some days
the lower part Of the hut, and
he had been forced to cook his meals
on a high spot beyond the sight Of the
cabin. Nights, however. he slept In a
Of garnet space formed by the
roof rafters Of his circumscribed dwell
Ing. He awoke n night with the
shock of a jar. He lifted himself on
rude mattress across the rafter.
"Afoati" he commented, peering
through a break in the roof. With in
credible rapidity the frail hut was be-
Ing borne along the swollen stream.
and devastation surrounded
him. The framework was holding to-
gether stanchly, although at times 1t
was whirled about In the maelstrom
rush and havoc like a feather In a
whirlpool.
Bridges enlarged the hole In the roof
30 as to be ready to trust to his pow
ers of swimming II collapse came.
Hours ensued, miles were covered. He
was lulled somewhat because outside of
frequent collisions with other floating
objects, no real disaster resulted.
finally, he was conscious
Of the hut being tossed up and for
ward. 1t collapsed and, driven sense
less, he lay on dry land. amid Its ruins.
1t was broad daylight and the sun
was shining down on his face as he re-
s%ensibility. A woman stood
him.
"Morton Bridges !" she spoke in q
b%ewildered gasp. "How came you
heref / must run and tell my niece.
Naomi. She has been living with me
her mother died."
"NaomiF repeated Bridges vaguely.
'You mean Mrs. Bradley Wagner"
"What gave you that idea Naomi
Is not married. Did some one make
you think SO? Is that why you disap-