The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-03-18


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 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 a sterneA
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. 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 l
| had hoped and expected. | remeu1-
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.' | heard him whisper.
Thank God for her!' And now that
you are growing up, you might be
| such a 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 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. I'm 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 bitter cup, Ruth"
"She's nothing but child, Nathan, y
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 hel
eyes. too, we're red.
Melissa was still busy with her prob
lens. You we're gone long enough!
she said. CURLY.
Her mothers eyes filled with tears
again Melissa" she began. and hel
voice trembled, what do you think
father was doing when | found hin
upstairs? Almost crying, and because
of you, child. He heard what yor
said. It nearly broke his heart, Me
LISA. He has always so loved you
INDUCED you, spoiled you; and L
was in hopes you'd be a comfort t.
him when you grew up. But you arr
not, Melissa. Habits are hard thing
to overcome, and if you don't breal
, yourself of your fault-finding. dissatis
fed ways, you'll destroy all our hap
piness."
} 1t was a long speech for her moth
err. and before she had finished Me
: lissa's eyes were wet Her tongue wa
} sharp, but her heart, after all, wa
| in the right place.
She got up hurriedly. I'm sorry
mother!" she cried, repentantly. g
) never-never meant to hurt father SC
He must know | love him. neve
: meant that l was really ashamed .
/. him. I'm going up now to make
t right with him. she added; land
mother, WILL will do better. Yo
g do believe me, don't your"
1 A moment later Mrs. Gray heard he
going impetuously up the stairs. Sh
turned to her sewing with Statistic
!, nod.
Her presence is just what fathe
!, needs" she whispered After all, She
| young, and-yes, l believe the chill
{ will do better
Melissa went softly into her father
room. The light was turned dowr
and he was lying quietly on his Side
but there was trace of tears upon hi
weather. beaten cheeks.
: Melissa crept to the side of the bed
!. laying her soft cheek remorsefull
against his.
Father" she whispered, ''forgiv
me, won't you? l never meant
hurt you. You're the best the dear
est father in the world. and I'm tn
: most ungrateful daughter
= She kissed him once. twice. and q
; the touch of the fresh young lips upo
q his cheek his pain was swept away.
q He put his arms about her, thos
kind, loving, fatherly arms, and Nc
q LISA put her head upon his breas
: sobbing.
, .oThere theret" he said smOOthin