The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1919-02-20
The LIVING MEMORY
BY MILDRED WHITE.

volving chair before his desk, to gazt
over the high roofs beneath the glarins
July sun. There it 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, plotting 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. Will had been dreamy
idealist, 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
EJohn's work, had made friends with
the engineer upon the highway. Will
had been kind to the stranger, had
Emade it pleasant for him In the lone
by village, offering the hospitality of
This own small home
John Ruggles had been glad to ac-
cept There were valuable BOOKS on the
crude shelves of Wills one roomed
n III
parts of the woodland VIII had TAX
zen him to see Lillias; when the engl-
|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
Owed and make her his own, and John |
Ruggles had failed; that was all.
/ Then he went back to the great city |
where bluebe1l eyes and fair faces are
E'but a thing apart" and not "man's
whole existence" Many women had
eome 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 ro-
nance called to him, Haunting men,
Dry not unmixed with pain, of q grass
grown village street, a quaint old gar.
Zen set back behind cedar hedge;
Ind about the garden in his memory
cream moved the girl Lillian.
John Ruggles turned abruptly to
press an electric button. He would hui
nor his fancy, satisfy this clanaOring
impulse, by walk down that same
y1llage street, peep into the old gar
den which upon actual observation
you'd undoubtedly lose its fanciful
harm.
Lillias had married VIII; poverty
hen must be her dover. Uncared for
4Omen do not as a rule grow In at
Effectiveness. Reality should forever
Hence this tormenting memory, so in
(8plicabiy awakened.
4 But first he must dismiss the new
whose work his secretary
I'D pronounced hopeless Again John
9Bggles pressed the electric button.
was the secretary who responded.
The new stenographer had not re-
lprted that day for business" he ex-
lined, land her dismissal would be
Unnecessary. Realizing her own I'M
mess for the position, the girl had
1ephoned a resignation. Unbusiness-
Re to the last in method" he added
eilingly.
The great man paused reaching for !
hat. 81 recall the young person."
said "She possessed at least the
hlity of respectful courtesy" The 1
eretary bowed. with personality
tie too diffident for Office work." he 7
plied, "as one could tell from a
Dnce of her eyes,"
Her eyes," the casual remark came Y
John Ruggles like a flash of inspir-
On. Here was the solution of his 4
kakened memory, the eyes Of the lit
stenographer he suddenly recol-
ted were strangely like the bluebell l
es of Lillias.
life was unsatfsfyfng," he told him.
e as he crossed the marble floor
the railroad station, wealth, power,
lat had they to do with happiness 7
3 elusive? Where might it be
and?" "A
The village street was unchanged, Y
4 familiar houses too, like those of
|pterday
ouuueHIy the mau ureW Ill HIS
eath while his eyes widened as If
Ding vision. For about the garden l
Pved gracefully a girl In white, and
/ her hair rose.
AS he fingered unbelievingly, she
me toward him, her bluebell eyes
arching his across the hedge, then
e smiled.
F'Oh! Mr.. Ruggles," his recent stem
Fapher exclaimed, "you came away
i to see me? was obliged to resign
position" she added flushing pref \
Y, because / had too long imposed. "
business education was too brief
be efficient. 1 have not been long
Dne In the world"
Across the face Of John Ruggles
shed an understanding light. All at
ce its lines Of care seemed erased
some great inner Joy.
YOU" he murmured, "are the \
lighter of Lillias?"
/ You knew my motherY' the girl