Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1905-03-09

| . SSAAAS
times! You ought to see Priscilla
Aliens father. He always carries q
gold headed cane, aud his shirt-fronts
well, they're things Of beauty"
"Your father could hardly make thu
farm pay if he carried a gold-headed
cane and wore his best clothes every
day." replied her mother, quietly I'm
afraid II 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" .."' 49, =. "a
There was a short silence.
Fathers growing stingy, too" went
on Melissa, still ~unconvinced. HE
might just as well let me have that
box-coat now as not"
''Melissa:"
Her mothers voice took on sternel
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 he
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 1
had hoped and expected. l remen-
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 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 criticise 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. Il don't think he's asleep
yet" she whispered. "Ill 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"
=" Its 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
so proud of her, too I've given her
all 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 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 unllind."4 =
She sat by him for some time.
and when she went downstairs her
eyes. too, were red.
r, Melissa was still busy with her prob
lens. You Were gone long enough!"'
she said. CURLY.
Her mothers eyes filled With tears
again. Melissa" She began, and her
voice trembled, what do you think
father was doing when I found him
upstairs? Almost crying, and because
81 you, child. He heard what you
said. It nearly broke his heart, Me-
issa. He has always SO loved you.
INDUCED you, spoiled you;sa and III
was in hopes you d be 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 sault-fnding, dissatis- |
fed ways, you'll destroy all our hap
piness."
1t was a long speech for her moth
ar, and before she had finished Me-
issa'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.
she cried, repentantly. II
ucFcl-uefci AISduI 10 uuII lalucE SO. |
He must know love him. never
meant that l was really ashamed Of
him. I'm going up now to make 1t
right with: him." she added; land.
mother, 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 satisfied
nod.
"Her presence is just what father
needs" she whispered. AFTER all, she'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 ON his side.
but there was trace of tears upon his
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"