River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-02-16

heard that Judge Allen is anything but
kind to his family"
There was a short silence.
Fathers growing stingy. too went
on Melissa, still unconyinced He
might just as well let me have that
box-coat now as not"
Melissa"
He's mothers voice took on sterner
ring. you don't half-appreciate your
father" she went on. Hes one OF
the best, the kindest men in the world.
and-he has always loved you so
dearly. II he doesn't give you money
for the coat now, it's only because ne
cannot spare it. He 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. | reme'n-
Der how joyful your father was when
You were born, and how he took you
in his arms and kissed you. My lit
tie daughter!' I heard him whisper
Thank God for herr And now that
you are growing up, you might be
such comfort to him il you only
would A daughter can be so much
to her father. Yet I've noticed a
tendency on your part to criticSse and
find fault with him. lit hurts me,
Melissa"
Melissa was silent After a 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 II don't think he's asleep
yet" she whispered. I'll just go
in and see if 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
ray being stingy. I've SO loved the
child, Ruth our only one. I've been
so proud OF her, too. I've given her
all l could. I've gone without I've
let you deprive yourself, too, 10 get
her what she wanted, and yet, after
all, she's ashamed OF me, her father.
It's bitter cup. Ruth"
"She's nothing but q child. Nathan"
his wife said, soothingly, land 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, CURLY.
Her mothers eyes filed with tears
again. Melissa" she began, and her
voice trembled what do you think
father was doing when l found him
upstairs? Almost crying, and because
of you, child He heard what you
said. It nearly broke his heart, Me-
lissa He has always so loved you.
indulged you, spoiled you; and IL
was in hopes you'd be a comfort TO
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 Eauit-tinding, dissads-
fed ways, you'll destroy all our hap
piness."
1t was a 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. Il
never-neyer meant to hurt father so.
He must know | love him. l never
meant that ! was really ashamed Of
him. I'm going up now to make it
right with him" she added; and,
mother, I will will do better. You
do believe me, don't you?"
A moment later Mrs. Gray heard her
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 SHE.
but there was trace Of tears upon his
weather-b beaten cheeks.
Melissa crept to the side of the bed,
laying her soft cheek remorsefully
against his.
Father" she whispered, forgive
me, Won't you? l never meant to
hurt you. You're the best, the dear
est father in the world, and I'm the
most ungrateful daughter"
She kissed him once, twice, and at
the touch of the fresh young lips upon
his cheek his pain was swept away.
He put his arms about her, those
kind, loving, fatherly arms, and Me-
issa put her head upon his breast,
sobbing.
There. there!" he said. smoothing
the golden braidS IT'S all forgiven,
all-alI"
Melissa lifted her head and put her
lips humbly to his, and at that last
tender and contrite kiss, Nathan Gray
knew that Melissa would be different.
She might have to struggle, perhaps.
but she would conquer in the end.
His arms frightened about her slight
young figure, and in his heart was a
great joy.-Youth's Companion.