Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-12-16
PRIDE'S CONFLICT.
A STORY OF CASTE.

Tho time WAS come at last; aud Lady
Ravens carriage, with the imposing dark
bays, stood at the Carringtons door. Be-
fore entering IL, Florence returned TO her
rooIn for something she had forgotten;
and, leaving it again, she saw Philip,
breathless aud excited, standing on the
threshold.
"Florence," he said, sit has seemed to
me many times since, that was hard with
you month ago. OF course you must
study your own happiness; but let US part
as friends at least---we may never meet
again. so feared should not bc back
In time" His words were low and his face
was very white and set. "Good-bye, Flor
.dcei Think OF us sometimes--forget
what / may have said TO torment you
your fsvorite expression, he added smiling
little; sand, if you over want a friend,
do not forget those you leave to-day--you
may seek far to find truer ones"
She had been peryously fastening her
glove while he spoke; aud when he had An
ished she turned with sudden passion
passion held back, controlled until IL mas
tercd--and threw herself upon his breast,
clipgfng to him conyulsively, while her
tears rained down. She might console her.
self, but she rocked little how she tortured
him. For a moment his lips were pressed
10 hers, her arms were cllnging round him,
and he clasped her tightly to him.
FLORENCE, you will stayi You retrsct
your refusats" he asked breathlessly, his
face lighted mp with sudden rapturous
hope. "My darling you are going to give
me happinessi You will stay--you love
mew he said his voice trembling with pas
sion revived, his arm holding her fast.
"Yes / love you--I love YOU with all
my heart ard soul, ;" she confessed passion
ately; "snd shall till the last hour live!
can never love again. never have be-
fore 70 she admitted without o thought Of
shame or fear, without caring TO hide the
pain she felt.
''Ab, Florence, you give me life. Repeat
what you have said again and again." he
cried pleadingly. "You will stay with usy
You will be my wife; I VII not hurry
you, dear--I will not force your answer
now; but you give me hopei"
"If could--ah, II / could - she answer.
ed through her tears.
She felt his arms relax their pressure at
her words.
"If you could, Florence! Have you
simply raised the br!mming cup 10 my
thirsty lips TO dash IL from me againi Are
you playing with me? You tell me yolun-
tarily that you love mey Your next words
convey a doubt. What can Think You
love me, but you will not marry me-your
pride fSrbids-you give me no hope In the
futurey"
II do not say that. II II were so should
die; could not bear the palm" she said
vehemently.
"Ah, Florence, you bid me hope, but
your future must not lack the brightness
you pine for, the splendor you cannot do
without! Well, be IL so," he said sadly
"What you yield Inc 50 grudgingly must
try TO be thankful for. The future howev-
er rests with yourself--remember that.
cannot persecute you. You may be sure
that a month hence | shall do so no more
than now. shall suffer good deal at
your hands," he added, his face blanched,
his eyes, ordinarily So soft, a6ame, "be-
cause l have confessed my weakness-for
Il is weakness. 1 love you---only Heaven
knows how well-and YOU leave me thus,
simply with shadow Of hope. But even
that shadow gives me life. Well, be il so,"
he went on sadly. al shall wait and try 10
have faith In your sincerity. In your heart,
Florence, have little yet--it Is so hard
ened by pride. All, know, know" he
added, seeing that she made an effort to
deny this.
"Giye me time, Philip. I shall be true
TO you, believe me"' she told him, and
clung to him again, and then in another
moment she had torn herself from his
arms.
Her grief seemed beyond control as she
kissed the girls and her aunt, who were
waiting for her In the hail. She drew
down her veil, and In a second was safely
sheltered in Lady Ravens carriage. her
eyes straining 10 catch the last glimpse Of
Philip Carrington's face as he watched the
conveyance that was bearing her quietly
from his sight.
To q certain extent she had satisfied her
selfish love. She had made the future
seem less gloomy aud hopeless, she had
given herself some hope; nevertheless at
that moment she feared her own power to
sacrifice herself. She could even wonder
which might prevail, her love or her pride.
There seemed endless comfort in the
thought that there still remained link
binding her to her love; but her pride
might snapit.