Memories (1914)

In youth, Prof. Scott, now mature and eminent as a scientist, loved Mary Brown, a sweet country lass, but his stern father bitterly opposed the match because of the fancied inferiority of the girl, and forced the pair adrift. In despondency Mary sought the seclusion of the convent and took the veil. Scott's sorrow never quite forsook him, although he later married and raised a daughter of his own that was the very apple of his eye. It came about that Clyde Lawrence, a poor but worthy youth, fell in love with his daughter, Marjorie, and she reciprocated his affection. The young man sought her father to ask his permission for her hand in marriage, but the stern professor set his face against it, telling him that he would have to first make his way in the world. The grief of the youthful pair is bitter, and seems, all in all, a replica of the early lives of the professor and his old sweetheart, Mary. Marjorie, to assuage her grief, seeks refuge in religion and applies to a nearby convent for admission, just a quarter of a century after Mary, who is now Mother Superior, had passed through those same portals to forget the world. Gentle and chastened by years, she receives Marjorie and learning of her identity and then the reason of her unhappiness, her own past again sweeps before her, a sad dream. Bitterness has vanished from her life, but the memory moves her to sympathize with this young girl, and save her from an unnecessary sacrifice. She pens a note to Prof. Scott, asking him to call at the convent. In conformity with this request, he comes; they have an interview and she gives him back his daughter with the advice to remember their own past and be merciful. This makes a living memory for the stem professor. He relents and at once consents to allow Marjorie to marry the young man of her choice.