The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-09-27


and go"
She held out little white hand, and
for an instant 1t was inclosed in Paul's;
then he lifted his hat and left her.
Instead of going directly home he
stopped in the drug store. and with his
mind still on the blot on his landscape
he asked n question of the druggist.
"Who owns that piece of property
on the other side of the track|
You mean the hill where the bill
board stands?'
"Yes."
Mrs. Covlngton is the owner. Her
husband died a couple of years ago and
left all of his property to her in trust
for a nephew who is only three years
old at the present time. She has re-
Gently had the billboard erected there
or at least the balsam people have
leased the gIound from her for the
purpose"
THANK you" said Paul Main, and he
went home.
He wrote n letter that evening to
Mrs. Coyington and explained to her
outlook, and as he understood the prop
erty was not for sale and that the
contract could not he 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 estaE
After he had sealed the letter and
onDt II IN tbn pnctpfi.a bn fo1t haitian
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 he 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 to and fro as they talked.
you've gone and done it now, MAN,
said the lawyer bitterly.
"Done what?" demanded Paul, mys
tilted.
II knew you were a rich man, but 1
never supposed you to be a screw. 1t
never occurred to me that robbing the
widow was in your line!"
"a screw? Robbing the widow-what
widow? l don't know any widows. 1
keep away from 'em every timer he
protested.
"You write letters to them," said
Coombs testify.
"Letters?" repeated Paul vaguely, and
then suddenly a light broke over him.
do you mean Mrs. Covington?" he
asked lamely.
Eyes. Man, do you know that it near
ly broke that woman's heart to have
that signboard put up there, but she did
1t to keep body and soul together. Cow
ington died and left her pretty well off,
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 a robbery in her house and has
been hard pressed for money to live
upon. The signboard business is mere
ly sop to the hungry wolf until she
can find some means of earning a liv-
! ing for herself. She talks of taking
| boarders, because she has a well equip
ped house here in Fairdale."
"She has been to you?" 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 nelghbors in that way"
"What can be done to make things
rightF 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
strapping six fOoter Of man who
doesn't have to worry about the
| butcher or baker can stand 1t to gaze
upon black and yellow billboard bet
/ ter than a frail woman can give up
the income derived from said advertise
ment. She is a proud woman, too,
Main"
"You needn't make me feel like any
hess than thirty cents" complained
Paul
You ought to be made to feel-you
think too much about yourself, Main"
you're right" admitted Paul, "and
now that you've ripped me to pieces
let's have a little friendly talk about
what 1 can do to make myself most
useful and inoffensive in Fairdale.'
The next day found Paul Main seek
ing the home Of Mrs. Amy Covington
In Fairdale village.
The C6vngton place was pleasant,
old fashioned white house set In the
midst of comfortable grounds. Paurs
ring at the doorbell brought him face
to face with the blue eyed woman he
had rescued two days before.
Mrs. Covington" she repeated, smil-
ing, though he was sure she had been