Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-07-05
STUBBORN PRIDE.

Never shone fairer skies nor brighter
prospects than those that, looked al
through Loves spectacles, spread them
selves about the new and untried path
of life that Clarence Gray and his fair
young bride proposed to tread in COM
pany.
He had been poor-a bankers clerk
on small salary; but she, beautiful
Florence Ellis, was an heiress. Her
money would have parted them at first,
I think, for Clarence was disinterested,
sincerely in love with herself, and so
proud, but for her love and resolution.
Il love him and mean to marry him, y
she told her guardian. Il cannot be
happy without Clarence. He is my
hearts dear choice. As for the for
tune, it is not mine nor his henceforth,
but OurS-ours tOgetherin
And they were married, and sailed
away to foreign parts for their wedding
tour, with the sunshine of love and
hope glowing brightly around them.
But Clarence and Florence were both
proud, both self-willed, both high-tem-
pered; and hot spirits-bOund together
upon unequal terms-struck out oc-
casional flashes of fierce temper, whose
fire threatened to consume their we'd
ded happiness, even in the first months
of their honeymoon.
For. while both were quick-tempered,
Florence WGman-like - was quick
tongued. too, and possessed Il Gift of
sharp and often singing repartee, with
which Clarence found it difficult to
cope: as a result of this the bride was
usually victor in their little battles,
while Clarence retired from the field
silenced, indeed, but dissatisfied and
angry.
1t was not, in truth, his young wife's
tongue that CALLED his temper half so
much as a sense of dependence on her
wealth, which stung his sensitive pride
almost to madness.
He tortured himself with imagining
how his old companions thought of him.
The hateful title, fortune hunter"
sounding in his fancy, made him start
like proud steed under the spur. He
began TO fairly hate this fortune (Which
had never had any charms for him) q,
and almost to regret his marriage-not
with the woman he loved, but with an
heiress.
Many time poor Florrie's thought
less speeches-of whose quick wit she
was sometimes innOcently proud-cut
sharp and deep as a two-edged sword,
brvs,tlse- OF e.>I2ao allnSinn in them to her
detested wealth.
And she never suspected 1t in the
!east Tie happy. loving, high-spirit-
cd 4iri adrred her husband i."weveI'
by reason Of her training ani spoil
ing-she might tyranniZe over MIN at
times. Had he but followed hereXam-
pie. and spoken his mind, she would
surely have curbed that unruly tongue,
by whose sharp exercise she often, ig-
norantly. wounded the one to secure
whose happiness she would have sacrI-
feed her own.
Passionate and outspoken, when they
differed she 'Ssaid her say" and forgot
and forgave Immediately.
Not so Clarence Into his soul the
cankers of morbid sensitivenecs and
hurt pride were eating deep. He for
gave, indeed, but how little he forgot
an offence, she discovered when it was
too late.
They had been married just three
months, and having returned from their
weddsng trip, had sent out invitations
for a gay house-warming party. Clar-
ence's friends. in particular, were to be
invited. He longed to show them his
beautiful young wife.
She had been so gentle, so loving,
thoughtful, tender for some weeks past,
that under the influence of her gentle
ness and love his evil demon-Pride-
had been exercised and laid to rest.
Il will be happy with my darling y
be thought, land forget this accused
fortune
But it would not be forgotten. Flor
ence had favorite hound. an old dog,
spoiled and useless, but dear to the
mistress heart, and the creature, jeal-
Gus, perhaps, of rival in her favor,
showed little liking to Clarence.
1t was on the afternoon of their gar
den-party, and while their guests and
friends were grouped about them, that
the brute lay directly in Clarence's
way, and surlily refused to stir.
You ugly brute" Clarence cried,
provoked at his obstinacy. III show
Won who is master herer'
And he struck him, though but light.
". with his cane.
Tie dog howled. In aninstant Flor
ence who had been watching from a
little distance, rushed passiOnately to
her favorite's rescue, and flung her
arms around his rough old neck
How dare you?" she cried, flying
instantly into towering passion. YoU
coward! A poor old creature-tooth-
less and almost blind my dead mothers
pet. l would sooner you had struck
ne. sirl''
Her tone enraged him. a gentle
word-the knowledge that he had
wounded her-would have won him in
stantly; but this tone of high command
before visitors, too-droye him wild.
You spoil the brute!' he answered.
angrily. He should be taught to know
his master. And he shall, too
He shall cot! He has no master.
am master and mistress, too, in my
own house"
''Stopr' His hand was on her arm
none too gently. His face was white
with anger, and his dark eyes glowed.
stop before you say what [ can never
pardon. There are strangers present.
Do you realize what you say and where
you are?"
There was an uncomfortable move
ment among all their guests. People
looked at each other, murmured, hes
itated, not knowing what to say or do.
Florence needed nothing. Carried
completely away by temper and anger,