Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1905-02-14

YOU persuade him to dress I'd little
declare, I'm ashamed of him. some
timesi You ought lo see pfiscil,
Aliens father He always carries
eOll-headcd cane and bis shiri-lrontl
well they're things Of beautylr
Your father could hardly make thg
farm pay if he carried god-headct
cauo and wore his best clothes ever,
day replied her mother. quietly I'm
afraid If he did we'd soon have no
farm at all to manage Besides. I've
heard that Judge Allen is anything but
kind to his family"
There was short silence.
Fathers growing stingy. too. went
on Melissa still unconvinced. He
might just as we'll let me have that
box-coat now as not
] Melissa"
Her mothers voice took on a sterner
ring you don't half-appreciate your
father, she went on He's one of
the best the kindest men in the world
and-he has always loved you so
dearly. If he doesn't give you money
for the coat now, it's only because he
cannot spare It, lie knows best. You
don't know how your lack of consid-
GRAFTON for your father hurts me, my
dear. It's so different from what |
had hoped and expected. ] remen-
Der how joyful your father was when
you were born, and how ne took you
in his arms and kissed you My lit
tie daughter heard him whisper
Thank God for her! And now that
you are growing up, you might be
such a comfort to him If you only
would A daughter can be so much
to her father Yet I've noticed a
tendency on your part to criticlse and
find fault with him It--it hurts me,
Melissa"
Melissa was silent After few
minutes her mother got up and left
the room. Melissa heard her ascend
ing the steep and narrow stairway.
At the top of the landing Mrs. Gray
paused Il don't think he's asleep
yet" she whispered I'll just go
in and see il he's comfortable for the
night"
She went noiselessly into the room,
but Nathan Gray was not asleep He
was sitting on the edge of the bed. his
head sunk on his breast.
Why. father. she cried putting her
arms around him. what is it--what
is it, my dear?"
It's Melissa. Ruth, he answered.
huskily. IL heard what she said
about being ashamed of me, and about
my being stingy. I've SO loved the
child. Ruth, our only one I've been
30 proud of her too. I've given her
ali / could. I've gone without, Eve
let you" deprive yourself too. 10 get
her what she wanted, and yet. after
all. she's ashamed Of me, her father.
It's a bitter cup Ruth
She's nothing but child, Nathan"
his wife, said, soothingly. and we
must make allowances. Youth is al
ways exacting / don't think the child
really means TO be unkind."
She sat by him for some time,
and when she went downstairs her
eyes, too, were red.
Melissa was still busy with her prob
lens You were gone long enough"
she said curtly.
Her mothers eyes filled with tears
again. Melissa" she began. and her
voice trembled. what do you think
father was doing when found him
UPSTAIRS Almost crying, and because
Of you. chile He heard what you
said It nearly broke his heart, Me-
LISA. He has always so loved you,
indulged you. spoiled you; and IL
was in hopes you'd be a comfort 10
him when you grew up. But you are
not, Melissa. Habits are hard things
to overcome. and if you don't break
yourself of your sault-fnding, dissatis-
ned ways you'll destroy all our hap
piness."
1t was long speech for her moth
er, and before she had finished Me-
lissa's eyes were wet. Her tongue was
sharp. but her heart, after ALL was
in the right place.
She got up hurriedly I'm sorry,
mother!" she cried, repentantly. II
never-never meant to hurt father SO.
He must know / love him. never
meant that / was really ashamed Of
him. I'm going up now to make 1t
right with him" she added, ''and.
mother, | WILL Will do better. You
do believe me, don't your"
a moment later .,s;s -; .:c2. hc:
going impetuously up the stairs. She
turned to her sewing with a satisfied
nod.
Her presence is just what father
needs" she whispered. after all, she's
young, and--yes, l believe the child
will do better"
Melissa went softly into her fathers
room The light was turned down.
and he was lying quietly on his side,
but there was trace NJ tears upon his
Weather-beaten cheeks
Melissa crept TO the side of the bed.
laying her so;t cheek remorsefully
against his.
Father" she whispered, forgive
me, won't you? never meant to
hurt you. You're the best, the dear