Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1876-05-13
A wOMAN'S PRIDE.

Il was a fair sunny day in August
They were out ON the cliffs, fathOms a
bOve the sea, at play. She, a dark-eyed,
naughty faced young beauty of thirteen; /;
he, tall, stalwart boy a year her junior.
There was n wide difference in their sta
tiOns in life. You had only TO note the
richness of her silken robes, the coarse
ness and threadbare scantiness of his, to
feel assured of that. No gentleman S son
wore blue blouse and a tattered cap like
Duke RutherfOrd's.
The children were gathering mosses
from the rocks and chatting gayly to-
gether, fOrgetful of rank or station
They had met often thus for the last six
years
Dukes father was day -laBorer on the
estate of II0rteBse Delmaine's high-bred
mother. Their humble cottage was but
little distance from the Han, and the
children, in search of amusement, wan
dercd out often to the cliffs, and whiled
away sunny afternoons in Juvenile sports.
Duke gathered for his fair playfellOw the
brightest tinted shells, thrown up from
the heart of the ocean by the stormy bill
lows; and, in return, she brought him
musty old books of romance and ehivalry
from the great library at the Hall, which
he read and re-read, until his soul was
filed with dreams and aspirations, vague
and sweet and unreal, rs the visions of an
Opium-eater.
The RutherfOrds had not always been
hirelings. Generations back there were
titled noblemcn in the family, but politi
cal differences had taken the title out of
the name; and, early in life, Hugh Ruth
erford, Dukes father, had emigrated to
this country, and married, soon after
wards, the blooming daughter of small
farmer. The young couple had nothing
but health and true love; and after u few
years even this last sweet boon was taken
away. Mrs. Rutherford died, and her
husband had only his six months old
boy to toll for.
No restraint was put upon the inter
course between Duke Rutherford and
HOrtense Delmaine by the proud lady
mother of the young heiress. If she
thought of the matter at all, she trusted
TO the iuborn pride of her daughter, and
to the cold contempt she had tried so
faithfully to Undue her with-cOntempt
of all that was low or illbred. Mrs. Del
maine would never have thought of look
ing for princely heart beneath the
rough jacket of 4 common labOrer's boy.
The sea breezes gave a beautiful bloom
to the cheek of HOrtense; and the sport
she shared with Duke rounded her limbs
and gave grace and vigOr TO her STEP
Mrs. Dclmaine read her favOrite novels,
entertained her chosen company, and
reigned queen at the Hall; and Hortense
enjoyed the wild freedom of the cliffs.
The young girl was almost reckless i'm
her daring at times. This afternoon she
WAS in her most dangerous mood A
cluster of purple flowers, growing in a
rleit of the rocks below the surface of
the cliffs, attracted her attention. She
spTang towards them. Duke waved her
back.
1t is perilous, Miss Dclmaine," he
said, hurriedly. Look at the black rocks
beneath. A single misstep audi
II am no coward . she laughed def
autly; "if You are pale, am not; and
am going to carry these bright things
home to mamma.
Before he could prevent her, she had
swung herself over the precipicc; and
( resting one foot on Il narrow shelf of
rock, her left hand clingiBS To a frail
shrub that had taken root in the sparse
earth at the top, with the other she grasp
ed the coveted blossoms.
Duke, white and rigid, stood above her
looking down. She shook the flowers
above her head. ''See! dare do what a
boy trembleS at seeing done -
She stopped hastily in the gay, taunt-
ing speech she was making. The treaeh-
erous rock under her feet crUmbled and
fcll-there was only that little swaying
shrub TO hold her back from eternity.
Dukt AuIGN AlllStu upon HlS lace,
reached over, caught her uplifted hands
in his, and drew her up slowly, labori-
Ously-fOr the was nearly his own weight
and he realized too well how much hung
on the result to be hasty or reckless of his
! strength. He rose to his feet, lifting her
I up with him. For one moment, breath
less and overcome by the thought OF
what she had escaped, She leaned against
/ him, then turning cOldly away she seated
l herself on Il rock.
''Well," she said, haughtily, You
have saved my life, 1 suppose. What is
/ il worth? My mother will
She stopped abruptly. Dukes face had
grown crimson; his lips were compress
ed; she understood him, and Iorebore
the insulting speech she was about TO
make. Her voice was softer when next
she spoke, for, being proud herself, she
respected the pride of others.
Forgive me, Duke. What shall give
/ You TO show you how grateful l am -
and she began TO detach the heavy gold
chain she wore at her girdle. He put il
/ back when she offered 1t.
GIVE me the bunch of heliOtrOpe i'm
/ your hair
She pulled it Outand laid it in his hand.
/ ''YOu will throw it away tomorrow,
/ when it is withered,' - she said.
''The fragrance win Outlast the flower
itself. The scent win remain when even