The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-09-27
The Blot
And How 1t Was
Wiped Out
By CLARISSA MACKIE

detail had been omitted to make 1t
homelike as we'll as beautiful and
comfortable. Still it lacked something.
Paul Main paced the terrace, smoking
an after luncheon cigar, pondering
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.
Pauls 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, a
glimmer of shining tracks, through
s1t among the ranges.
THE railroad was innocent Of offense
n Paurs eyes, but on n strip of hilly
land bordering the tracks, quite in
plain view of Pauls windows, was an
immense signboard bearing in six foot
letters an advertisement of wind
lnuller's Balsam For Coughs and
Colds" That abomination of black
sad yellow paint was the blot on Paul
Mains landscape and on his peace of
mind
"If I 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 un-
responsive mood regarding the sign
board.
81 dare say; dare say" replied Mr..
Coombs after Paul had stated his case,
"but as | 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 blot on my view" per-
sisted Paul impatiently. I'm willing to
buy the land If necessary to-
"You couldn't buy the land, my dear
sir. 1t 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, dearr' 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 affrightedly, "and
train Is coming too. Oh, dearr'
A shrill 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
/ hytp oh 81, To fp1t
wrenched at 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,
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 the
| shoe was waiting to thank him. For
the first time he really saw her-as a
matter Of fact, for the first time he
really lived from that moment,
She was small and dainty, with a
! lovely, fower-like face, which retained
it's youthful beauty and charm in spite
of the softly graying brown hair that
! ffuffed under her black hat. She was
gowned In white with touches Of black,
and Paul surmlsed that she was a
widow from the wedding ring on one
little white hand. 1 am afraid he
would have been bitterly disappointed
| II he had found otherwise.
'IIow can / thank you" she cried
gratefully as he came toward her.
''By allowing me to assist you home"
was Paul's gallant reply. II am afraid
you VIII have difficulty with only one
shoe, but there was nothing to do but
leave 1t there"
"Oh, live quite near by, and l 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 arrlyed-think of what