The Lamar register., 1919-02-26
The IDEAL
BY RANsoME HARRAoEN.
lcopyrirtt. 1sls. western Newspspsr unlon.I


of sunny contentment. Through the
whole nelghborhood the name Rupert
Woods was one to conJure by.
So much for the surface indications.
vet the man had his Ideal and led II
dream life. Just over the mantel was
n photograph OF ar exqulsltely lovely
and graceful young woman. 1t set
back In a deep. rich frame. When
ever Woods came home with rose
or a carnation In his buttonhole. he
would place II next to that delicate.
lifelike face about which he had built
up n secret romance that pleased his
fancy and satisfied his soul.
"h sister? A relatlve?" once his
landlady ventured to insinuate, but
Woods only smiled In noncommittal
way and asked with an admiring
glance ut the portrait:
as she not truly sweet and beau
tifui"'
II was year ago when Woods had
secured that photograph. Always he
had Il mental conception of his ideal
of perfect woman. One day he stood
speilbound. His vision had material
ized. Coming out from the entrance
10 a photograph gallery was the be-
ing he had llmned In fancy. Ere he
could get back to earth again. she had
disappeared In the moving crowds and
he had never seen her since.
But about two months later. passing
the same photograph rooms. In the
case outside among the exhibition por-
n, xssa0
piece OF artistic work. He entered
and indicated to Its proprietor that he
wished to buy a certain picture.
"Oh, we never sell those" demnrred
the photographer.
Can you tell me her name-can
you give me her address," pressed the
eager Woods.
~ cannot. The young lady ordered
half dozen. came after them. paid
for them" But then. after due per
suasion and liberal money offer,
Woods succeeded In securing the prize.
That lovely picture was a comfort to
him.
One day Woods came home Ill. and
the landlady called doctor. The lat
tel ordered him TO bed. and said TO the
landlady:
mfr. Woods Is going TO have several
weeks OF Illness. I see no particular
danger. but you had better advise
his near relatives"
Bless you. sir,'' exclaimed the
whole-hearted landlady. 'he has told
me hundred times he has none. No.
sir. only In the nelghborhood. Even
the street children fairly idollze him.
he is SO kind and thoughtful Of all.
The next morning Woods was In the
throes OF fever. The doctor noticed
lying on a table lot OF little sealed
and directed envelopes.
What are thosef' he Inquired Gu
riously.
"Recreation envelopes. SIR" ex-
pIalned the landlady. "You see. sir.
every last day of the month II has
been the custom OF Mr.. Woods to give
lot OF poor. Woodworking people a
little money. II may be to one fam
ily enough for weekend trip. admis-
sion to some entertainment. base
ball and bat for lad, doll for 4
giri. Little surprises, regular as the
sun. and. oh bringing such JOY and
gIadness. He said last night II he was
going to be sick. he'd better arrange
for the regular donations"
"a remarkable man: certainly
good one." mentally approved the doc
tor. Then he looked fixedly. and In
some surprise. at the photograph on
the mantel.
"whyi Who Is thisf" he Inquired.
That he never told anybody. sir"
DR.. Ransome Nelly the next morn
ing addressed Miss Eva Winton. the
young lady who had charge OF the Of
fee for half dozen physicians.
Miss wInton." he said. II have a
patient who seems TO have no friends.
end I found your photograph in his
room"
How can that be?" questioned the
ycung lady. ~ have but six pictures.
end can account for them all"
"well, 1t Is mystery enough. and
NV patient Is Interesting enough TO
make me desirous of having you go
with me on my call today"
Miss wInton was as much at sea as
ever when she saw the photograph in
question. Woods was In mild de-
llrium. He would babbie OF pretty
rural scenes. of glowing sunsets. Then
the doctor and Miss winton exchanged
,,tanrau hfo mind