Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-20
The Argus Daily Story
The Blot-By Clarissa Mackie.
Copyrighted. 1912. by Associated Literary Bureau.

Old AT the present time. She has re-
Gently had the billboard erected there
or at least the balsa .. people have
leased the. ground frou- her for the
purpose"
Thank you" said Paul Main. and he
went home.
He wrote letter that evening TO
Mrs. Coviugton and explained TO her
what blot that billboard was on his
outlook. and 90 he understood the prop
erty was not for sale and that the
contract could not be bought he added
an appeal to her sense of the beautiful
and her consideration for his feelings
on observing the hideous sign from ev-
cry point OF view of his estate.
After he had sealed the letter and
sent 1t TO the postoffice he felt better
and went out TO the terrace to smoke,
and under the magic of the full moon
he fell to dreaming of the lovely little
woman ne had saved from death
that day. and his hand unconsciously
strayed TO the little slipper in his
pocket
The next evening he received a visit
from Mr.. Coombs, who looked very
much displeased over something and If
possible appeared paler and with white
hair more outstanding than usual Paul
had him out on the terrace. where they
paced 10 and fro as they talked.
You've gone and done 1t now, MAN,"
said the lawyer bitterly.
Done what?" demanded Paul, mys.
titled
Lob
never supposed you to he a screw. II
never occurred to me that robbing the
widow was in your line!"
"a screw? Robbing the widow-whas
widow? 1 don't know any widows. I
keep away from 'em every time" he
protested.
You write letters TO Them" said
Coombs testify.
"Letters?" repeated Paul vaguely, and
then suddenly light broke over him.
DO you mean Mrs. Covingtonr' he
asked lamely.
Yes. Man, do you know that it near
ly broke that womans heart to have
that signbOard put up there. but she did
1t to keep body and soul together. Gov
ington died and left her pretty we'll OF,
but all the property was in trust, be-
| cause l suppose he was certain she
would marry again some day. A few
months ago she lost some securities
through robbery in her house and has
been hard pressed for money to live
upon. The siGnboard business is mere
ly a sop to the hungry wolf until she
can find some means of earning Nv
ing for herself. She talks of taking
boarders, because she has a well equip
ped house here in Fairdale."
"She has been to your" Paul found
! voice TO ask out OF his depth of self
| condemnation.
Yes She has ordered me to break
| the contract with the balsam people
and have the board removed. She does
not feel that she ought to impose upon
/ her neighbors in that way"
What can be done to make things
! right2" asked Paul sharply.
Il don't know. If anything, now. only
you might go around and tell her as
| delicately as possible that you think
/ a strapping six footer OF Il man who
/ doesn't have TO worry about the
/ butcher or baker can stand it TO gaze
/ upon a black and yellow billboard bet
/ ter than n frail woman can give up
+ the income derived from said advertise
ment. She is u proud woman, too.
/ Main"
You needn't make me feel Ike any
less than thirty cents" complained
. Paul
You ought to be made to feeI-you
think too much about yourself. Main"
You're right" admitted Paul, land
( now that you've ripped me to pieces
let's have little friendly talk about
what l can do to make myself most
useful and inoGensive In Fairdale."
The next day found Paul Main seek
ing the home Of Mrs. Amy Covington
in Fairdale village.
The Coyipgtun place was pleasant
/ old fashioned white house set In the
midst of comfortable grounds. Paurs
ring ut the doorbeII brought him face
to face with the blue eyed woman be
. had rescued two days before
Mrs. CovingtoUt' she repeated. smil.
ing, though he was sure she had been
weeping. II am Mrs Coylugtou. Won't
you come inF'
Afterward. when he told Mr.. Co0mb4
about the Interview. ae added the story
OF the pretty hoe ha had retained
"Coombs." he said t1oughtrully. Il
persuaded Mrs. Coyiugton 70 leave the
billboard there as a reminder to me
that l am selfish sort Of beast Now
shall spend the rest Of the year IN
parsuadiug her that because I saved
her III" she should iutrust that pre-
ciyas life to me for better or worse
. II can win her FOR my wife the
? whole landscape can be dotted with
bi!Iboards advertising Windmuller's
Jaisam and ! shall not care"
you have it bad. my dear Main"
! rrlnneI Mr.. Coombs, rubbing his hands
+ deiightedly. "- | understand n. there
win be no blot upon your landscape If
son can rersuadc Amy Coylng,on 10
marry You"
las ! understand r." amended Paul
Main, "the only bot On the landscape
/ then will b" whore she Is not"'
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