The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1922-02-07
THAT Girl MELISSA


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coDyrisht, isa1. western Newspaper Union.
one went down to the ravlne by
path leading from the sunny roadway.
Melissa loved to follow this path.
though her aunt argued against Il.
The ravine is such an isolated spot"
Aunt Melissa objected. ~ anything
should happen to you no one could
hear your cries for help. And they
say, now, that an escaped convict Is
hiding around down there"
Il will take the hill walk" Melissa
would cheerfully evade, for her aunt's
comfort She, herself, was afraid ~
nothing And her promise was parity
true. Melissa did take the hill walk
but II was from there that the little
adventurous path led down to the heart
Of the silently glowing ravine.
Truthfully, il was Aunt Melissa
who busted herself happily over the
sewing while Melissa, with her old
bent, roamed the countryside. Today
the forbidden retreat seemed more
than ever inviting. She put aside her
magazine for uninterrupted pleasure
In the view. A bird near by perked its
head curiously al Melissa and, imitat-
ing, Melissa turned to perk her head at
the bird. Then she saw the man. He
was stretched upon the ground near
by, Just around behind the tree.
This mans face was white, with its
great burning eyes staring at her in
hostility. His clothing was rurnpled
and shabby. After moment of medi
tative silence, Melissa smiled. How
do you DOR she remarked "Are YOU
the escaped convictT" The man
jumped to his feet and came towards
her
where did you hear thatf- he de
manded.
"Oh. one hears all sorts OF things"
Melissa calmly said. Perhaps the re-
port is untrue Some one told some
one else. believe, that man resem-
bling former resident of the village.
who had been committed for crime,
was seen hiding around this rayine.
When you appeared thought that you
might be that man."
Hostility left the haggard face. The
man settled himself abruptly at her
side.
II was that convict" he quietly told
Melissa. "but ] have not escaped;
am discharged. The sentence was
found, after my second year Of impris-
onment, to have been a mistake"
"Please tell me all about it," she in
vited.
The man hesitated. You live here?"
he asked
Melissa shook her head. Just visit
ing; tell your story"
Il was convicted for embezzlement
and given a long sentence" the man
spoke slowly. THE proof of the theft
was indisputable; 1t occurred in the
City Trust bank, where. at the time,
was employed as assistant cashier. The
money was supposed to have been
gambled away, though no evidence to
that effect was found. / made no de-
tense Of any kind, or no denial" The
tense line fastened again about his
lips. yet all the time" he added
earnestly, 81 was as innocent of crime
as you are today"
"Then why" asked Melissa. quickly
did you make no denialT'
His answer came with difficulty
Because my own father was the
criminal; also, he was the long-trusted
cashier of that bank. He had fancied
urgent need Of the money to pay an
accumulated debt. He was, you see
old and very weak. and not himself
He came TO me, crying like child He
spoke Of my dead mother, and of his
inability 10 endure the hardship Of a
prison sentence, and he was cOwardly.
willing that | should suffer that sen
tence in his place. So, l suffered.
That is all. Now that my father is
dead, It seemed unnecessary TO longer
continue the sacrifice of punishment
| spoke, and my release was found
10 be justified. With freedom came
home-sick longing for the old asso
Citations of my village home. But fight
seems to have gone from me, even
NNiihh'hNNs W o'A NY nNiA iiShN III
eyes of my friends"
$50" asked Melissa. softly ''What
are you going to dor Hopelessy, the
man replied, 81 do not know" The
eyes Of Melissa took on their thought
full light, reassuringly she smiled upon
him.
wait" she requested, and bent to
her writing pad. With awakening IN
terest he watched her flying pencil.
When she had finished she leaned back
in content.
'Therew she exclaimed that's a
real story. One Of the best / have
ever done lt's for the City Herald,
and will be lined front page. Your
own story. No, don't object. you owe
il to yourself to be right in the eyes
OF the world, and you shall be, when
these facts are proven correct. am
late Of the Herald stan, and this ar
ticle makes the announcement that
you are returning to service at once IN