Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-09-30
pRIDE'S CONFLICT.
A STORY OF CASTE.
CHATTER /.

with crystal chandeliers; q few magnih-
cent pictures on the walls, statuettes, books,
delicatcly-tinted vases, fresh flowers, and
eTery rich or rare delight the eye could
wish for lavishIy displayed and t~astefully
arranged.
Such was the drawing-room Of Sir Ar
thur Worthington, Baronet; and his daugh-
ter and only child Florence to give the fin
ishing touch of beauty TO the splendid
scene, while she reclined in her velvet and
giided chair, n book idly held I'm her hand,
which she vainly tried TO read, or thought
she read, n weary expression on her fair
p2trlcian face, which lacked warmth, kind
Illness, content. What was ity Something
lnarred It's perfection. Her forehead was
pure and white as marble, her brows were
clearly and delieately peDciled, her large
dark gray eyes full and bright, but yet ut
terry devoid of tenderness, her lips were
red and soft, but yet cruelty cold-looking.
Pride unquenchable and relentless, was
stamped on every feature of the fair young
face, love of self displayed in every fold Of
her rich silken robe, In every detail OF her
careful and costly toilet. Such was Flor
ence, only child aud heiress OF Sir Arthur
Worthington, Baronet.
She had been utterly spoilt and INDUCED
from her birth, which made her motherless
and the full tide Of fatherly affection which
nigh. TO some extent have compensated
her for the great loss her childhood bad
sustained, was long withheld, because she
was a girl. For many years she seemed to
lack the power TO discover the secret path
which might make her companionable ia
her father; but, as Florence developed IN
beauty, and acquired accomplishments, Sir
Arthur's fatherly pride and affection fol
his daughter were kindled, and he began "a
imagine "A possibility, though she was a
daughter only, that she might become the
prop of a tottering house, IL the fates were
propitious, and she was undcniabiy its or
nament.
But in the meantime Sir Arthur could
not help discovering that his daughter was
most eNtrayagant. lie could grudge hei
nothing; but money was far from plentiful
with him; and her Injuries and splendor,
taxed him sorely.
Miss Worthington threw her book on e
q little table at her siat, and looked across
TO a recess in the d~rawing-room, where an
other lady was also seated, enjoying the pc
rusal Of a French novel. She was no longer
young; aud, although Countess Of Raven
few people thought her pleasant to looL
upon.
The noise Of the falling book attracted
her ladyship's attention, and she glanced
across the room TO where her niece wa'
seated. The Countess was Sir Arthur
Worthington's only aud widowed sister
and, for the time, Florence's guest, so tina,
it beloved her ladyship to show some In
tercst In her young hostess movements
She closed her own book with reluctance
her inert nature and the o~yerpowering heal
Of the do making her easy-chair, the shady
corner of the room, and her French move
all very pleasant TO her.
at might be endurable in the park by
this time, aunt Margaret, If one only had
carriage. II is trying that papa, although
IL is the end Of the season, should hav,
taken il into his head 10 change the carriag,
and horses before we leave town. / hav,
wanted an open carriage so many day,
lately; for besides the heat and discomfort
a ~brougham i not the most desirable equip
age 10 show oneself in" Miss worthingtoI
said frctfully.
The words reused the Countess from he
novel and her half-recumbent position. Sh'
threw her book aside, pushed the stool i'm
patiently from under her feet, and raised
herself.
..What do you mean Florence? DO yo,
tell me that YOU arc actually without a car
riageg"
ITO ali intents and purposes, aunt Mar
garet. There is the brougham, and the us'
Of a horse from Bentley's, when | choose
hut | have been without a carriage anC
horses Of my own for the last six weeks
and just az the time when one wants Nen
most. OF course the b%rougham does wei
enough for night-work, hut not Ia drive IL
during the day. j must confess papa 4
not generally so thoughtless Of my com
fort but he says must manage now unit
we return from Thornvillc."
What reason has he given YOU Flor
ence!" Lady Raven asked.
..Only that the carriage was too old fash
toned for me and too heavy for the horse
which of course ii was; and then pap:
l. tired e grays. aud wishes me to driy,
dark bays for the future"
But at least he might have left YOU tn
grays until the bays were forthcoming,
Lady Raven remarked, with apparent rea
son, and also with a meaning expression ol
her face.
She did not dare give utterance TO wha
was passing in her mind then, or she eoult
have told her niece that her chance of driy
ing bays now or at any future time was
very remote one. She had little doubt OF
the subject herself; and she had less a few
minutes later, when Miss Worthington'
" maid brought her in a note on a salyer
..Why are You here. Marie, instead O
Hudson!" her young mistress asked.
because one Of Therese's women brough
the note herself, ma'am, and says she's beer
told 10 wait for an answer. i thought
might be about your dress, and that yo,
might require me-"
at Is not-and there Is no answer" Mis-
Worthington replied coldly. And the ser
want withdrew.
But the note appeared Of some impor
tancc 10 her nevertheless, for she read an,
re-read it several times, flushing deeply tn
while. Lady Ravens eyes were fixed In
tently on her niece all the time.
.What Is u, Florence" her ladyshil
asked at length. She guessed too well, al
though she asked 10 be enlightened.
.'simply a piece Of impertinence on Tia
part Of Therese, aunt; but IL Is neverthe
less annoying. IL Is worrying too Of papa
Ican't understand him." Miss Worthingtol
added, somewhat incoherently.
What has il to do with your father
Tlorence."
"W'hy only this-Therese has been tor
nenting me ever since Christmas TO settl
my account Papa allows me only tire
buudred pounds a year for my pin-money
and lac has not given me q fraction sine
loag before Christmas. Every day l AS
him for = check, but he always puts me OF
with some excuse or other; and see how an
moving Il Is now, aunt Margaret--anA Mis-
Nnrthinvton,s yoice het rayed that tear
were near-.Therese actually declines {
commence my dress for the twcnty-dfth I'm
less I send her forty or isty pounds on az
count"
Has she written impertinently!" her ID
dyship asked.
Mot actually In words, but In matte
certainly; there Is the ~note-read 1t; an
Miss Worthington rose quickly and bande'
IL TO her aunt. 'lt u too a~nnoying--an
papa especially wished me 10 have . ne,
dress for the twenty-tifth, aud also that
should be a handsome one. 1 have neve
Kuownb him 10 take so inucn interest in IA
appearance bcfore-in fact he chose tn
dress himself; and now what am ! to do
Possibly l may not see papa again until tn
beginning OF the week."
els Lord Harcourt Vernon coming o
the twcnty-nfth?" Lady Raven asked vi
ayes, / think So" Miss worthington al
swered. and again Redeemed wildly.
.Well. YOU must have a dress, child
there Is no doubt about that" Lady Rave
said; but It Is q bad business, ! fear" sd
added, almost as Ii to herself.
.why q bad business, aunt Margaret
II Is provoking but ! do not see that II