Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-05-19
PRIDE'S CONFLICT.
A STORY OF CASTE.

Temporarily, she might not be able 10 re-
- sbouid her uncle and aunt take for
,ranted that her visit was at an end, and
her legitimate home ready to receive her.
Tn ,ronortion as her chances of remaining
seemed to grow precarious, so did her de-
sire to STAY gain strength, until sometimes
the thought of leaving her present home
was jptoIerable to her; but at last her
fears were set at rest. On the arrival OF
Lady Ravens letter, the Carrington's were
all clamorous in their desire that she should
remain with them at least some time long
er, if she must leave them eventually, on
her aunt's return to England.
"Why, Florence, my dear, L thought
your home was to be with us for good!"
her uncle told her.
awe cannot spare you, yet, DEAR" MIS-
Darlington said; and Florence knew no"
-incere her aunt always was.
~ ait is impossible. Florence. You must
write to your grand lady-aunt and tell her
you cannot CO." spoilt Ethel declared.
"Why, Florence, you have promised over
and over again you would not think oil
leaving us yetw Maud told her.
All demonstrated with her but Philip,
and he remained silent, eating his break
fast the while unconccrnedly, but watch
I'M her, Florence felt with intentness.
For the first time in her life her con-
science, love, and pride panied her equally.
She knew her own heart now, and the
knowledge little pleased her. She had
learnt that her life must be one OF lasting
pain, which her pride would never stoop
tow enough to rescue her from; and her
conscience whispered family that, now
that the power lay i'll her own hands, she
should shun the love she did not mean to
- ,o-c To fox or on
ss she chose, but never to play with.
A shadow, she thought, had fallen on
Philip Carrington's bright face when the
subject of her leaving them had been first
mentioned; but his voice alone was silent
In urging her to stay. This did not escape
EthePs observation, and what she noticed
she rarely let pass.
"Philip," she said, s'you are the only
one Of us who does not ask Florence to
stay"
al have but little faith in my power TO
influence your cousin, Ethel-that may be
the reason" he answered gravely; and
Ethel looked amazed.
The words sank deeply into Florence's
heart. If she had pride, she knew he had
Eqrmore: she felt cotident too that he would
never be- for her love. He knew her pride,
and would subdue it utterly or leave. she
a Countess; but she must stand on an
equality with himself ere he sought her
h4ud. lie had gagged her pride thorough
H., and that seemed to hurt her more than
all besides, and to make the barrier be-
tween them quite impossible. What she
d;d not know was that he had tue advan-
tage on his side He knew what her feel
ings were toward himself, aud that she was
striv ing against them, while she could on
ly think he liked her; and the uncertainty
tormented her.
His alternate GOODNESS and empressement
kept her love and pride always on the rack.
She would never accept his love, never
marry him she told herself; but still she
could not leave him--at any rate, not just
yet-a little while hence she would. She
had decided upon her answer to Lady Ra-
von--her aunt and cousins should prevail.
She had indeed promised that she would
help them with their Christmas party-a
pleasure they always looked forward TO-
She dreaded the long journey to Nice, and
she could not break her word. She would
avail herself of her aunt's Kindness two
months later, she wrote TO the Countess
Raven, 10 her ladyship' Indignation.
.'Her mothers blood has prevailed" La
dy Mcddowes declared. |SIou see mother,
she has decided for her tradesmen KinsfOlk.
and perhaps it is better; it will at least
rid us of some trouble. She would not be
young lady easy to control, and L doubt
her ways being our ways
But Lady Raven evidently had a soft
place in her heart for her niece. She had
cared for her brother as much as it was in
her nature to care for any one in the
world; and her conscience pricked her
little that she had thrown off his child III
her first great sorrow, and driven her I'M
der influences which she had been unused
60, the very novelty of which, to a young
girl, yielded certain fascination. But
Florence's refusal to accept her Cousins
invitation was rather decided, and Lady
Raven had little hope of altering her
niece's decision. Florence had promised
the Carringtons' to remain with them over
Christmas, and she intended to keep her
word. She was disinclined for the long
journey to Nice just then, and with all pos
sible gratitude for her Cousins kindness,
she was most of all dSinclined to accept
her hospitality. With her aunt, on her re-
turn to England, it might be different, did
she still wish for her society. All this La
dy Raven might tell her daughter or not,
as She chose, but the result was the same.
Florence chose to remain with the Car
rngtons' for the present.
Lady Raven wrote again to her, enlarg-
!ng upon the folly of Der decision, and re-
marking Ell PEASANT that she thought it
early days for her in Ter deep mourning to
be even contemplating taking any part in
the CarringtOn's Christmas festivities, not
to speak of the righteousness of identi-
flying herself with people whom it might be
most lnconYenlent to know i'll time to
come. The last remark of her nunt's
struck home, and deeply Florence felt its
miserable wordIy-wiSdom and truth; but
Florence had decided beyond retraction,
and, if she had to decide again, she knew
her choice would be the same.
Maud and Ethel were wild with delight
st their Cousins decision. To them her
pride had been always veiled-to them at
least she had been always sweet and loving
as it was in her better nature to be. With
them there could be no question of inc
quality or pride; she reserved that for the
only one who she felt to be, not her equal
certainly, but far, far above her. Her
pleasure in the present was dimmed by
her aunfS reproach that she had forgotten
her mourning, and this she contded to
Maud.
81 do not see that you need take it to
heart" her cousin said. s.It is not neces-
sarily wrong because your aunt tells you
1t is. l believe oSe ought not to nurse
grief too much. Besides, you are really i'll
your own home-it is not like seeking
pleasure abroad; and, if you did that, dear,
to please us all, cannot see the harm."-
And then Florence was content.
$50 you have at last decided that you
will honor my mother and fathers home
with your presence fora few months longer,