The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1888-07-13
STUBBORN PRIDE.

Never shonc fairer skiesnor brighter
prospects than those that, looked at
through Loves spcctacles, 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 heen poor-a bankers cierk
on a small salary; but she, beautiful
Florence Ellis, was aM hciress. Her
money would have parted them at first,
! thilR, far clarence was d%isintercsted.
s1ncptSiy in love with herself, and so
esoua, but for her love and resolution.
81 love him and mean tomarry him.
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 h~enceforth,
but ours-ours tpgcthcr!!n
And they We're married, and sailed
away to foreignparts for their wedding
tour, with the sunshine of love and
Ihopc glowing brightly aroundlhem.
But Clarence and Florencew were Both
proud, both s~clf-wilied, be,h high-tem-
pered; and hot spirits bound together
upon unequal .erms-struck out oc-
casional flashes of fierce temper, whose
laire threatened to consume their we'd
ded happiness, even in the first months
of their honeymoon.
For, while both were quick-trmpered,
Florence woman-like - was quick
tongued. too, and possessed u Gift OF
sharp and often singing 'cpartec. with
which Clarence found it difficult to
cope; as II result of this the bride was
usually victor in their little battles,
while Clarence retired from the field
silenccd, indeed, but dissatisfied and
angry.
1t was not, in truth, his yn;Mg wife's
tongue that CALLED his temper half so
much rs Il sense Vi dependence on her
wealth. which Stung his sensitive pride
almost to madness.
He tortured himself with imagining
how his oldcompanions thoughtof him.
The hateful title. ''fortume hunter.n
sounding in his fancy, made him start
like n proud stced under the spur. He
began To fairly hate this fortune (Which
had never had any charms for HIND,
and'almost to regret his marriagc-not
with the woman he loved, but with an
hcircss.
Many a time poor Florrie's thought
less spccchrs-of whose ouirlh wit She
was sometimes innoccntly proud-cut
sharp and deep as u two-edged sword,
because of some allusicn in them to her
detestcd wealth.
And she never suspected it in the
least. The happy, loving, hig|l-spirit-
ed girl adorcd her husband. however
by reason of her training and spoil
ing-she might t%yranni2a ovcr him at
times. Had he but followed hercxam.
pie, and spoken his mind,' She would
surely have curbed that unruly tongue,
by whose sharp exercise she often, ir-
%norantly, wounded the one to secure
whose happiness she would have sacri-
feed her own.
Passionate and outspoken, when they
differed she ''said her saw and forgot
and forgave immediately.
NotsoaC Clarence. Into his soul ths
cankers of morbid constituencies nnd
hurt pride were eating deep. He for.
gave, indeed, but how little he FORGOT
an offence, she discovered when :. yvos
too late. ""'
They had beer married lust three
months having returned their
Nc.-u,ng trip, had sent out invitations
Tor 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 dcmon-Pride-
had been exercised and laid to rest.
Il will be happy with my darling
he thought, 'anH forget this accursed
fortune"
But it would not be forgotten. Flor
encc had ii favorite hound. an old dog,
spoiled and useless, but dear to the
mistress heart. and the creature, ical-
Gus, perhaps. of a rival in her favor,
showed little liking 10 Clarence.
1T WAS on the afternoon uf their gar
dcn-party, and while their guests and
friends We're grouped about them, that
the brute lay directly in C~larcncc's
way. and surlilv refused to stir.
''iou ugly brute!' Clarence cried.
provoked at his obstinacy. ..Ill show
you who is master hcre,'
And he struck him, til ugh but light
ly. with his cane.
The dog howlcd. In .ninstantF Flor
ence, who had bccn watching from a
little distance, rushed ~passionately to
her %favorite's rescue, and flung her
arms around his rough old neck.
"llow dare your she cried, flying
instantly into atowering passion. You
coward! \ poor old croaturr-tooth-
less and almostblind my dead mothers
pet. would sooner you had struck
me. sir.n
Her tone enraged him. A gentle
word-the knowledge that he had
wounded her--would have won himin-
stantly; but this tone of highcommand
before visitors, too-drove him wild.
You spoil the brute." he answered.
angrily. ''He should be taught to know
his master. And he shall, too
.He shall not! He has no master.
[ am master and mistress. too, ii my
own house"
Stop 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
mcnt among all their guests. People
looked ut each other, murmurcd, hes
itatcd. not knowing what to say or do
Florence needed nothing. Carried
completely away by temper and anger,
she ven Il
81 know what l say perfectly well.m
This was false, for she was beside her
self with passion. 81 say that this
house is mine! And when you pre-
sume to
She got no further. He had been
holding u little gold and jewclcd cane
her gift-within hishand. Suddenly
i was flung, splintered and broken, at
her feet.
Titus do | break the hateful bond
'hat holds me, degraded and hnmili-
iied. mol MS your husband, but Your
slave! A man must have neither self
respect nor soul To endure the life YOU
lead him. Keep your house-yourself-