The Monticellonian., 1905-02-16

HedIu that Judge Allen IS anything bu kind to his family
 There was a short silence.
 Fathers growing stingy. t0o." went on Melissa. still unconyinced. He might just as well let me have that box-eoat now IS not"
 "Melissai"
 Her mothers voice took on 2 sternei 1 ring. You don't half-appreciate youI father, she went on. Hes one oi i the best, the kindest men in the world 1 and-he has always loved you SC j dearly. If he doesn't give you money i for the coat now, it's only because he cannot spare it. He knows best. You don't know how your lack of consid. eration for your father hurts me, ny l dear It's so different from what l had hoped and expected I remela- Der how joyful your father was whsn i you were born. and how he took you in his arms and kissed you. My iii.t- l tie daughter I heard him whisper 1 Thank God for heri' And TOW that vou are growing up, you might be such a comfort to him if you only would. A daughter can be so mt h i to her father. Yet I've noticed a tendency on yo1r part to criticise and i find fault With him lit hurts me, ! Melissa"
 1 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. T don't think he's asleep yet. she whispered m just go in and see if he's comfortable for tas ! 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?"
 Its Melissa Ruth" he answered, huskily. II 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 so proud of her, too. I've given her all I could. I've gone without. I've let you deprive yourself, too, to 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 child, Nathan, ," his wife, said. soothingly, "aEd we must make allowances. Youth is d. ways exacting. I don't think the child really means to be unliind."
 She sat by him for some time. and when she went downstairs her eyes, too, were red.
 Melissa was still busy with her prob lems You were soHe Ions enough" she said curtly.
 Her mothers eyes filed with tears again. Melissa" she began, and her voice trembled, what do you think father was dong when I 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. indalged you. spoiled you; and l-I was in hopes you'd be a comfort 10 him when you grew up. But you gre not, Melissa Habits are hard things yourself of your cault-finding, dissatts- fled ways, you'll destroy all our hap piness."
 It was a long speech for her moth CT, 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 T neyer-never meant to hurt father se. He must know l love him. l never meant that I was really ashamed of him. I'm going up now to make it right with him" she added; "s1d, mother. I will will do better. Yea do believe me, don't you?"
 A moment lator Mrs. Gray heard her g0ing impetuou5ly up the stairs She turned to her sewing with a satisfied nod
 Tier presence is just what father needs" she whispered. After all, ehe's young. and-yes, I believe the child WILL GO better.
 Melissa went softly into her fathers room. The light was turned down, and he was lying quietly cn his slda, but there was a trace of tears upon his weather beaten cheeks.
 Melissa erept to the side of the bee. laying her soft cheek remorscfully against his.
 Father" she whispered, forgive me. won't you? 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, ant al the touch of the fresh young lips upon his cheek his pain was swept away.
 He put his arms about her, thos. kind. loving. fatherly arms. and Me Hssa put her head upon his breast, sobbing.
 There. there!" he said, smoothing the golden braids It's all forgiven all-all.
 Melissa lifted her head and put her lips humbly to his, and a. the, tas; tender and coatrita kiss, Nathan Gray knew that Melissa would be different She might have to struggle, po4aaps but she would conquer il the end.
 lis arms tisatened about her sliehi young figure. and in his heart Was 2 great joy.=Yadth's Companion.
 Never Saw Chalybeate.