Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-12-30
PRIDE'S CONFLICT.
A STORY OF CASTE.

Lord narcourt was determined that the
wedding should not be delayed. He had
bought experience, and fancicd, perhaps,
that his fair prize might once again elude
his grasp. 1t was now the end Of sum.
mer; aud he said the early autumn must
find them wandering I'm foreign climes.---
Why should there be delayf Florence had
longed solely for q eoronet, and the coronet
was now waiting for its wearer.
Miss WortbiBgton had little time for
self-communing, for vain regret over lost
happiness, happiness thrown voluntarily
away. She had barely time for rest, for the
setting OF the future Countess Vernon's
gems had to be decided upon, and all the
details OF her trousseau from Paris. Five
hundred pounds. however judiciously ex-
pended, are not iBexhaustible; aid IL re-
required some man9uvring TO meet the
necessary demands.
Miss Worthington rode, drove, talked,
danced, and even sang few sentimental
duets with her future lore. She succeed
ed well in hiding from him so far her shud-
dering dislike to his companionship-a dis
like she had scarcely felt In old times, be-
cause then there had been no unhappy
comparison always rising in her thoughts.
She had paid dearly for her position and
could not now turn back.
Miss Worthington had not kept the Car
rington's In ignorance Of her approaching
marriage. Shame however had kept her
from asking them TO be present at the we'd
ding.
The days sped on, and Lady Ravens
small house seemed to be turned into q re-
posltory for silk, satin, and lace. Even
Lady Meddowes' coldness and dislike for
her cousin Florence disappeared under the
bride-elect's brilliant future. She was
not too proud 10 show her keen interest
IN all the millinery details and the costly
jewels.
On Florence herself their splendors had
already begun TO pail, aud the old dull
pain came back into her heart. She tried
10 ind relief in incesssant amusement, and
partially succeeded. She also tried brave
ly 10 struggle against the loathing she felt
when the daily hour for Lord Vernon's
visit arrived, the shuddering horror when
he touched her hand, and when he some
times, though rarely, kissed her forehead.
She did not succeed so well in this. In
her former short engagement she had been
heart whole; and then his lordshlp's pres
eDce had seemed endursble TO her, possibly
through indifference.
Now she knew she was hesrt-broken for
love for another man, and that her love
grew stronger, more intense, ~ the days
which put him farther from her passed
quickly by.
IL wanted but three weeks to Miss
Worthington's wedding-day; and town
was nearly empty--which Lady Raven
and Lady Meddowes rather bemoaned !;
but there would be spectators enough left
to witness the weddDg-at least so thought
Florence.
Among other things not pleasant to
learn, she had made the discovery that her
future lords temper was not 80 equable
as she had at first imagined. He could al
ready be mildly sarcastic, did she keep him
few moments in order 10 complete her
toilet. As their intimacy increased, she
found that he could sulk If she ventured
to suggest any alteration in plans he had
previously arranged, or to wear y color or
dress he had condemned; and, whereas
Miss Worthington had never liked yield
ing, she liked II even less now.
at is hopeful prospect for the future"
she often thought, with sickening pain, Is
the days passed quickly on.