Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1923-05-25
The Links of
Memory
By A. w. PEACH

agnes, you haven't dared to ask
John Orr to come herew
Agnes turned from her desk with
faint smile, tinged with a bit of
regret, and looked thoughtfully at the
fair, Gark-eyed girl who had thrust
herself unceremoniously into the room.
"Mei!a, why do you dislike him SOP
You used to think enough of him when
you were engaged"
"That Is turned page, my dear,
and you know 1t. He accused me
to my face Of being disloyal to him
and that l take from no man -
Media replied, her dark eyes aflame.
what | want to know is-did you
invite him to this party? l heard
downstairs that he was coming" She
caught her breath. "If he comes,
gol"
Agnes laughed as she sprang up
and gave the shoulders Of the dis
turbed girl a friendly shake. mo,
honey, he is not coming"
The sound Of laughter came up
from downstairs. Medals face changed
and softened-the old crowd together
and not John-but 1t was better that
way-she could not stand him.
Agnes had gathered an old group
Of congenial friends at her fathers
country place, friends somewhat
scattered by the years; and with her
hidden skill had planned for them
happy time. Media realized it In that
first evening, but not for a moment
did she wish John present.
The only disturbing figure in the
group was Bert Reusser, Johns closest
friend. Media was not entirely pleased
that at the dinner table she found
him at her right. She said as much,
and quite frankly.
He leaned far over, his pleasant face
whimslcally sober, and whispered:
"You hard-hearted heart-breaker,
you always picked on me even when
you were pretty little kid-all black
eyes. Now don't get sassy or I'll
get even with you by telling you that
poor old John was dying to come-the
only one Of the old bunch back there
In the city,"
Bert, you needn't"
"He left something in your care
"He left nothing, gave him all his
presents his ring"
'He left something in your care,
Media. and 1t will always be yours
He has not looked at another girl
and he is climbing in his work. YOU
ought to give that back to him. bu
you can'tl"
It dawned upon her-John's love TO
her-that was what he had left Sh,
shrank back bit-then memory came
"But I don't want I'll"
He looked at her with sudden lr,
after the manner Of his boyhood
you're pretty as rose and I al
most lost my heart over you, but
can see what I missed Med, you
His cheerful grin returned "John has
| your picture still where a man keeps
something that only he knows and
loves-I saw II by accident-you know
keeps II like a pressed flower In some
old book that"
"POoh Cheap sentiment !" she said
quickly
The few words that Bert had
spoken bothered her, and in her mind
she could see the strong, clean-cut
face Of her old lover. But she dis
missed him with no difficulty, and en-
tered into the happy spirit Of the
dinner
After the dinner they Joined in the
various amusements that Agnes had
planned and Joined with a vim While
playing cars Media heard quiet Grace
Allen say: 81 wish John were here.
always liked 10 play with him. n
you made bad mistake, you never
would think he noticed IT, But Bert
Reusser--he's the worst. You can
fairly see him grind his Jaws"
Media did not hear Bert's answer,
although she heard the laughter that
followed It, for she was unceremOni0us-
~ drawn into the next room, where
dancing was In order. And there, to
her disgust, she had to think Of John
when she tried to steer clear Of her
companions feet. John could dance,
anyway
In her room that night Media heard
Bert's voice calling to Grace, the old
whlmslcallty tlnged with tenderness
that made Medals heart quicken:
Good highland sweet dreams"
Suddenly, strangely enough, the
thought popped into her mind: per
haps / was a bit dlsoyal to John In
being so friendly with Max" She
stlffened. mo, was not" she scolded
herself Indignantly.
Three Of the days went by. Happy
days for her, yet everywhere there
seemed to be hint Of John. Some
one missed him for one reason or
him In the old days learned to love
him. And he had her picture still.
The climax came that evening when
from another room she heard Bert try
ing to sing one Of Johns favOrite
songs She felt suddenly very much
alone In mighty big world. How
many times she had heard him sing
at old, happy times that song as only
the John who loved her could sing II.
And she suddenly realized that In her
heart he still fingered, behind Its doors,
the same high-hearted high-mlnded
lover who would ask no more of her
than he gave hlmsen.
She sought Agnes, who was busy
in the library arranging card tables
"Agnes, I want to telephone-to John"
With cry Agnes caught her In
her arms "Oh Media, I'm gladp
Media went TO the phone. Soon