The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1918-12-26
THE LIVING MEMORY
BY MILDRED WHITE.

John Ruggles swung about in the re-
volving chair before his desk, to gaze
over the high roofs beneath the glaring
July sun. There 1t was again, that
evasive memory of something sweet
and half forgotten What had hap
pened to him in his heretofore salts
fed middle age, that vague longings
should reach out from the past?
Business and its success had for
years absorbed him, blotting out all
that had been before, making wealth
alone his goal. Now, wealth was
achieved. what had it brought him?
Lillias had dropped out of his life
SO long ago he had lost regard for
her when she had chosen in preference
to himself sort of wandering nomad
for husband. VIII had been a dreamy
ldealist, while he, John Ruggles, even
In that long ago, showed unmistak-
able business promise.
1t was in his youthful engineering
capacity that he had visited the little
village almost buried beneath its en-
circling hills. Lillias had met him in
the quaint flower garden Of her home,
and It had been VIII who took him
there. VIII, who, lazily curious about
Johns work, had made friends with
the engineer upon the highway. Will
had been kind to the stranger, had
made 1t pleasant for him in the lone
ly village, offering the hospitality Of
his own small home.
John Ruggles had been glad to ac-
cept. There were valuable books on the
crude shelves of Wills one roomed
abitation-interesting curios from all
parts Of the woodland Will had TAX
EN- him to see Lillias; when the engi-
neer looked into the girls rare blue
bell eyes, he decided to remain indefin-
ltely In the village. Decided calmly,
to win her from the man whom she
loved and make her his own, and John
Ruggles had failed; that was all.
Then he went back to the great city
where bluebell eyes and fair faces are
"but thing apart" and not "man's
whole existence" Many women had
come and gone in John Ruggles' life
since that youthful time, and he had
been content to let them go; without
companionship Of women his life SEEM,
ed complete. But now
Across the tall chimney tops TO
nance called to him, Haunting a menu
DRY not unmixed with pain, Of q grass
grown village street, a quaint old gar
den set back behind a cedar hedge;
and about the garden in his memory
dream moved the girl Lillian.
John Ruggles turned abruptly to
press an electric button. He would hu-
NOR his fancy. satisfy this clamoring
impulse. by walk down that same
village street, a peep into the old gar
den which upon actual observation
would undoubtedly lose its fanciful
charm. il
Lillias had married VIII; poverty
then must be her dover. Uncared for
women do not as a rule grow in at
Reality should forever
silence this tormenting memory. SO in
explicably awakened.
But first he must dismiss the new
whose work his secretary
had pronounced hopeless Again John
Ruggles pressed the electric button.
Il was the secretary who responded.
"The new stenographer had not re-
ported that day for business" he ex-
planned. "and her dismissal would be
unnecessary. Realizing her own un-
illness for the position, the girl had
.elephoned a resignation. Unbusiness-
Ike to the last In method" he added
smilingly.
The great man paused reaching for
lis hat. II recall the young person."
he said "She possessed at least the
luality Of respectful courtesy" The
bowed. with a personality
luite too difident for Office work." he
'eplied. "as one could tell from q
ylance Of her eyes," i
"Her eyes," the casual remark came
% John Ruggles like f,.-h Of inspir-
ltion. Here was the solution Of his
memory. the eyes Of the lit
lie stenographer he suddenly recol-
ected were strangely like the bluebell
yes Of Lillias. Il
Life was unsatisfying." he told him.
elf rs he crossed the marble floor
4 the railroad station, wealth, power,
What had they to do with happiness
he elusive9 Where might It be
oundf"
The village street was unchanged. i
he familiar houses too. like those Of
Suddenly the man drew In his
reath while his eyes widened as II
eeing q vision. For about the garden
moved gracefully q girl In white, and
q her hair q rose.
Az he fingered unbelievingly, she
anne toward him, her bluebell eyes
his across the hedge, then
be smiled. i
~Ohl Mr.. Ruggies," his recent STEM
grapher exclaimed, you came away
at to zee met was obliged to resign
" position" she added flushing pref
". because had too long imposed
" business education was too brief
be efficient. I have not been long
lone In the world"
Across the face Of John Ruegles A
n nhnA 49,