The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1919-01-06
THE LIVING MEMORY
BY MILDRED WHITE.


over the high roofs beneath the glaring
July sun. There it was again, that
evasive memory of something sweet
and half forgotteni What had hap
pened to him in his heretofore salts
fed middle age, that vague longings
should reach out from the past?
Business and it's 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?
Llllias 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
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 it's en-
circling hills. Lillias had met him in
the quaint flower garden Of her home,
and Ii had been VIII who took him
there. Will, who lazily curious about
Johns work, had made friends with
the engineer upon the highway. VIII
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
misunderstanding 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 indefln-
itely 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 a thing apart" and not mans
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
nance called to him, Haunting a men,
DRY not unmixed with pain. of a grass
grown village street, 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. peep into the old gar
den which upon actual observation
would undoubtedly lose its fanciful
charm.
Lillias had married Will; poverty
then must be her dover. Uncared for
women do not as a rule grow in Mt
tractiveneSs. Reality should forever
silence this tormenting memory, so in
explicably awakened.
But first he must dismiss the new
stenographer whose work his secretary
had pronounced hopeless. Again John
Ruggles pressed the electric button.
Tt 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 I'M
fitness for the position, the girl had
telephoned a resignation. Unbusiness-
like to the last In method" he added
| smilingly.
The great man paused reaching for
his hat. 81 recall the young person, !"
he said "She possessed at least the
quality of respectful courtesy" The
secretary bowed. with a personality
quite too diffident for Office work." he
replied, "as one could tell from a
glance OF her eyes"
"Her eyes," the casual remark came
to John Ruggles like a flash Of inspir-
alton. Here was the solution of his
awakened memory, the eyes of the lit
tie stenographer he suddenly recol-
lected were strangely like the blueben
eyes Of killias.
life was unsatisfying," he told him.
self as he crossed the marble floor
OF the railroad station, wealth, power,
what had they to do with happiness
! the elusive7 Where might 1t be
| foundY
The village street was unchanged,
| the IdInlIIdT HOUSES TOO, IKE muse VI
| yesterday.
! Suddenly the man drew IN his
breath while his eyes widened as If
seeing a vision. For about the garden
moved gracefully q girl in white, and
In her hair a rose.
AS he fingered unbelievingly, she
came toward him, her blueben eyes
searching his across the hedge, then
she smiled.
ooh I Mr.. Ruggles." his recent stem
! ographer exclaimed, you came away
out to see me? was obliged to resign
my position" she added flushing pref.
| tily. because had too long imposed
My business education was too brief
to be efficient. I have not been long
alone in the world"
Across the face of John Ruggles
flashed an understanding light. All al
once its lines of care seemed erased
by some great inner Joy.
"You," he murmured, "are the
danUHfor of T{IliaS2s