The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1912-10-18
The Blot
And How 1t Was
Wiped Out
BY CLARISSA MACKlE

The new house was finished. No
detail had been omitted to make it
homelike as well as beautiful and
comfortable. Still 1t 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
b the brilliant October sunshine. From
his house on the hilltop the village
looked like collection of toy houses,
quantity picturesque, without one jar
ring note of ugly line or crude color
ing.
Paul's 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
clrcled the hill and disappeared, a
glimmer of shining tracks, through a
cut among the ranges.
The railroad was innocent of offense
IN paurs eyes, but on strip of billy
hand bordering the tracks, quite in
plain view Of paul's windows, was an
immense signboard hearing In six foot
letters an advertisement of Wind
muller's r am For Coughs and
Colds" That abomination of black
aud yellow paint was the blot on Paul
Mains landscape and on his peace of
mind
eff had known that sign was to be
put there I would never have built
here. I'll see Coombs about it." he de
cided. 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 I'M
responsive mood regarding the sign
board
81 dare say: dare say" replied Mr.
Coomhs after Paul had stated his case,
"but Ms | understand the situation the
owner Of the property wishes to derive
some income from the land. AS you
are aware that hill 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 impa tiently '1'm willing to
buy the land If necessary to-
"You couldn't buy the land, nay dear
sir II 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 si"nboard with speculative
eyes. I'D like to talk to the owner OF
that property" he pondered thought
fully.
"Oh. dear," cried a sweet voice in dis
tress.
Paul turned quickly. On the railroad
crossing behind him woman's form
was bent in evident perturbation. III
stantly he surmised the cause or the
trouble aud was beside her in few
swift strides
"You have caught your heelY he
asked quickly
YES" she painted affrightedly, land
a train Is coming too. oh, dear!
A shriIl whistle echoed from the cut
among the hills, sounding warning to
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 vainly
wrenched Mt the imprisoned little shoe
held by its absurdly high heel between
the track and one of the crossing
planks, 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 it in
his pocket.
When the last car had passed he
crossed over to where the owner of the
shoe was waiting to thank him. For
the first time he really saw her-as
matter Of fact. for the first time he
really lived rom that moment
She was small and dainty, with
lovely, fower-like face. which retained
its youthful beauty and charm In spite
of the softly grazing brown hair that
fuffed under her black hat She was
gowned in white with touches of black.
and Paul surmised that she was a
widow from the wedding ring on one
little white hand. am afraid he
would have been bitterly disappointed
II he had found otherwise.
How can l thank your she cried
gratefully as he came toward her.
"By allowing me to assist you home,
was Paurs gallant reply. 81 am afraid
you Will have difficulty with only one
shoe. but there was nothing to do but
leave it there"
"Oh, live quite near by, and can
take Off the other shoe and get home
nicely, thank you" she said pleasantly,
adding with little toss of color, IF
you had not arrived-think of what
would have happened to mef'
Don't think of 1t, please" said Paul
hastily. II you feel faint or I'll per-
haps I can find you a restorative or
some sort l believe there Is drug
store down the road, but my own house
is quite near" Involuntarily he glanced
upward, and her eyes followed his to
the beautiful home on the hilltop.