I took wild guesses as to the dates. (Houston -> Atlanta Oct 20, Atlanta -> DC Oct 20, DC -> Albany Oct 22, Albany -> Houston, Oct 26)

There's Delta all the way for $409, with a change between DC and Albany in Cincinnati and one between Albany and Houston in Atlanta.

Continental's is $670 with a change between Atlanta and DC in Cleveland, one between DC and Albany in Newark, and one between Albany and Houston in Cleveland.