Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-09-20

detail had been omitted to make it
homelike as we'll as beautiful and
Still it lacked something.
Paul Main paced the terrace, smoking
an after luncheon cigar. bordering
why he was not happy and contented
after all the expense and bother he
had endured while building this hand
some country home.
Below Fairdale village lay STEPPED
IN the brilliant October sunshine. From
his house on the hilltop the village
looked like a collection of toy houses,
quantity picturesque, without one jar
ring note of ugly line or crude color
ing.
Paurs eyes fingered on the village
and then lifted slowly to the one blot
on his landscape. Hidden from view
of his own estate because of project
ing spur of the mountain. the railroad
circled the hill and disappeared.
glimmer Of shining tracks. through a
cut among the ranges.
The railroad was innocent of offense
in Paurs eyes, but on strip OF billy
land bordering the tracks, quite in
plain view of Paurs windows, was an
immense signboard bearing in six foot
letters an advertisement Of Wind
muller's Balsam For Coughs and
Colds" That abomination of black
and yellow paint was the blot on Paul
Mains landscape and on his peace OF
mind.
"If had known that sign was to be
put there would never have QUILT
here. I'll see Coombs about it." he de-
clded. and. whistling up his favorite
pointer, he pulled his cap down over
his eyes and tramped down the ave-
nue. to the main road.
He found Lawyer Coombs in an IN
responsive mood regarding the sign
board.
at dare say: I dare say" replied Mr..
Coombs after Paul had stated his case,
"but as I understand the situation the
owner of the property wishes to derive
some income from the land. AS you
are aware, that bin runs sheerly to the
tracks below, and it is useless for build
ing purposes"
But it is a blot on my view" per-
sisted Paul impatiently. I'm willing to
buy the land II necessary to-
You couldn't buy the land. nay dear
sir It IS held in trust and cannot be
disposed of until a minor has reached
his majority, which will be in exactly
eighteen years"
Perhaps I'll buy the balsam fac
tory" threatened Paul ruefully as he
left the lawyers office.
He went down to the railroad and
skirted the tracks. looking up at the
offending signboard with speculative
eyes. I'D like to talk to the owner of
that property" he pondered thought
fully.
"Oh, dearw cried a sweet voice in dis
tress.
Paul turned quickly. On the railroad
| crossing behind him a woman's form
was bent in evident perturbation. In
stantly he sUrmised the cause Of the
/ trouble and was beside her in a few
swift strides.
"You have caught your heel?' he
| asked quickly.
YES" she painted afrrightedly, "and
a train is coming too. Oh, DEAR
! \ shrill whistle echoed from the cut
J among the hills, sounding a warning to
T clear the track upon which the woman
stood. Paul bent down, united the rib.
/ bon bow and gently lifted the little
silk stockinged foot from its prison.
run for your life" he commanded
/ briefly, and she obeyed him. He vainIy
/ wrenched at the imprisoned little shoe
/ held by its absurdly high heel between
! the track and one of the crossing
/ panks, but he could not bulge 1t, SO
/ leaped aside in time to allow the train
( a long string OF freight cars, TO pass
/ The second car tossed the mangled lit
tie shoe at his feet, and he placed 1t in
his pocket.
! When the last car had passed he
. crossed over to where the owner Of tht
shoe was waiting to thank him. Fol
the first time he really saw her-as q
matter OF fact. for the first time he
really lived from that moment.
She was small and dainty, with 2
lovely. flower-l.ke face. which retained
its youthful beauty and charm IN spite
Of the softly CRAVING brown hair that
fuffed under her black hat She was
gOwncd in white with touches Of black
and Paul surmIsed that she was z
widow from the wedding ring on one
little white hand am afraid he
would have been bitterly disappointed
if he had found otherwise
How can I thank youT she cried
gratefully as he came toward her.
by allowing me 10 assist you home
was Pauls gallant reply. Il am afraid
you viii have difficulty with only one
shoe, but there was nothing TO do but
leave it there"
/ "Oh, / i've quite near by. and car
take Off the other shoe and get home
nicely, thank YOU" she said pleasantly
adding with a little toss Of color, Ii
you had not arriyed-think Of what
would have happened TO me-
Don't thiul, Of It. please" said Paul
hastily. II you feel faint or III per
haps I can find you a restorative d
/ some sort. I believe there Is "a drug
store down tie road, but my own house
IS quite near" Involuntary he glanced
upward and her eyes followed bis tC
( the beautiful home on the hilltop.