The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1906-11-24

OLD gentleman. MellOry, 1eellnS Sdre
1t was the squire, walked slowly
across the grass towards him. Hef
sun-bonnet had fallen back, masses OF
brown curls clustered round the hot
pink cheeks, and her brown eyes were
shining. A big deer hound, lying at
the sources feet. rose as she ap-
preached, and shifted at her. Laying
a little brown hand confidingly on its
collar, she and the dog faced the squire
together.
What is your manner" abruptly de-
manded the squire.
"Oh, my name is Mellory. You don't
look very wicked!" she added, quickly,
The squire sat up in his chair.
What made a good little girl CONS
to see such a wicked old man, eh?"
come to see such a wicked old man,
eh?"
"Oh, yes; because you are. you
know!"
WHO told you / am wicked?'
well, people seem to think so, and
so DO / If you approve of beating a
wife,"
What" almost shouted the squire;
but Mellory was not in the least
alarmed. Calmly seating herself upor
his knee, she continued: You encour.
age your coachman to beat his wife
| wish you wouldn't; it isn't nice, real.
ly!"
80 that's what they say, is it?'
laughed the squire, and his voice was
not quite so pleasant this time. He put
his arm round Mellory. asking. DC
you believe it,"
Mellory looked into his face; and
then she said decidedly, mo, l don't
You are more like knight than a
squire-a right worshipful knight
she added softly.
The squire shook his head, and his
face grew sad as he said: Alas! No.
I'm not that. l might have been
once! What made you come to see
such a wicked old man, eh?"
I'm not good here. ! am at home;
bat Aunt Susan's goodness is different
somehow, and l can't do it. Perhaps
you can't be good here either?" she
suggested.
The squire muttered something and
then stopped. There was silence fol
a minute, till Mellory asked, DO you
love your coachman very much?"
well, no; / can't say i love him
He's been a good servant to me-"
Tell him he mustn't beat his wife.
He would pay attention to YOU"
do you always pay attention td
what you are told?"
well, no." said Mellory, rather
slowly; but 1 don't beat people"
Neither do l." said the squire.
though should often like TO-"
Beat the eoachman, them" ex-
claimed Mellory, triumphantly. then
he'd know what it's like"
"Egad!" said the squire. shaping his
unoccupied knee. Its an excellent
idea. l will"
Mellory put up her face, and the
compact was ratified by kisses on both
cheeks. Then she got off his knee.
saying, I'm glad l came; l don't be-
lieve you are a bit wicked, really"
He looked very sad as he answered,
TRY and believe the best Of people,
always, my dear; then you will grow
up as good as you are pretty, and as
happy as you are both"
Mellory did not understand exactly
what he meant, but she realized that
he was not very happy, so she said
again, I'm glad came; we shall al
ways be friends!"
81 wonder" unused the squire.
Lo walked with her to her aunts
gate, and as he waved his hat on leav-
ing her, she called after him, You
look right worshipful knight, any.
howl"
He stood in the middle of the road
to wave his hat once more, and to look
back at the little figure standing in the
sunshine. Then he turned into HE
own great gates, where the drive lay
all in shade, like hfs heart.
Copyright. 1906. by Joseph B. Bowles.,