Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1894-01-06
PRIDE'S CONFLICT.
A STORY OF CASTE.

| nusy, Lady Raven had been fatigue
turing the day, aud greatly worried sine
u return, and she could not now rail
quickly from this sudden attack; but Lad
Margarets presence OF mind rarely fo
sook her--she was quicker-witted thai
her mother. She laughed lightly and pref
tily.
"Oh, that IL your bette noir, Lord Har-
court Your question is easily answered.
We have fortunately withheld nothing
from YOU regarding your connection WIFE
our family. You know my poor uncle
made a mesalliance, although happily his
young wife died; and you know also the
terrible confusion which prevailed also at
the time OF Sir Arthur's death. ! was In
France, my mother obliged togo 20 q friend
who was III, and Florence, who was always
q little headstrong and difficult TO manage
insisted on spending her year OF secl~-
sion with her mothers family. IL was a
morbid notion which possessed her, and
from which she appeared to derive COM
fort"
Lady Margaret gave her explanation
readily and frankly, but still the cloud re-
mained on his lordships brow.
III cannot quite see what this has TO do
with the point in question, Lady Margaret.
The gentleman whom Miss Worthiugton
admitted this morning, after denying her.
self TO me, was, presume, her cousiD!"
"Yes, Lord Harcourt; but you do not
know that, though most respectable and,
believe, superior person, he Is neverthe-
less tradcsman. Florence would natur-
ally not wish TO bring him into contact
with Yourself"
The cloud was dispersed . little now,
though not entirely.
'Ile remained just one hour and thirty
i've Minutes" his lordship said solemnly.
Poor Florence Some one else had
counted the moments as well as herself.
al can well believe that" Lady Marga-
ret rejoined quickly. ale brought her
some presents, believe: she also displayed
10 him the many she has already had, which
was rather natural. The result was, poor
girl, she was oyer-tired and excited. VOLTA
tout, Lord Harcourt,"
al am glad you have explained matters
so satisfactorily, Lady Margaret, for own
to you that ! have been dissatisfied and
distrustful all day" his lordship said. alt
is getting late now" he added, looking at
his watch. "Pray express my very sincere
sympathy TO your cousin, and say that !
hope 10 tnd her better tomorrow, at the
usual ibur." And with these parting
words, his lordship went his way, Lady
Margaret breathing sigh of relief as the
door closed OH him.
"Oh, mother, poor Florence will pay the
full penalty for her past willfulntSs. Was
| there ever another man with such q tenn
| per! And his two leading ideas seem to
be jealousy and suspicion. He, Of all peo-
pie In the world, need not be too particu.
lar In his inquiries after other peoples pro-
| prieties, l think"
margaret, pray be careful" Lady Ra.
ven said, with sudden horror, rs if the
walls had ears.
.'You need not fear, mother; FIorence's
own suspicions seem 10 be in some way
aroused, II | may judge from 4 few words
she has vouchsafed to Inc lately. OF course
would not discourage her for the world. !
Besides, matters have gone too far now.-
But l am glad Lord Harcourt was not
fated to be my husband. Sir John has told
me some rather startling things about him |
lately. can only hope that Florence may
always remain unenligbtened. His temper
and stupidity will keep her hands well !
filled. L prophesy the pair will come 10 |
grief the hrst year. However, she will /
have her titie--and she is not girl likely
to forfeit her position"
"Oh, Margaret, pray don't say such I
things. Husbands and wives in our sta. |
tion are not subjected 10 the little crosses !
aud trials of the lower classes"
"Let US hope, mother, that IL NAV prove |
DO IN their case" returned Lady Margaret |
signing.
"Oh that the next month were safel,
over" cried the elder lady. II own ts \
you, Margaret that at times Florence has
made me seriously unessS.n
sxess-sss ,'ssssss Sv
impossible for Florence to recede now
She would lack the courage for that, AN
sure" Lady Margaret declared reassur !
ingy.
"Good Heavens, Florence, how white |
you look! Surely YOU are i'll, cbild;" La |
dy Raven exclaimed glancing at her niec'
~ shs entered the breakfast-room on thu
following morning. "You had better lie
down and let me send for Doctor Hanson.
What ails your"
"Nothing, aunt, thank you, beyond the
effects of a sleeplcss night-a little worry !
perhaps" She might have said, "a new
born hope"
"Don't let Lord Harcourt see you ss you
are. You are as white as n ghost"
"You think his lordship might regret his
offer IL he saw my brightness faded:" Miss
Worthington said in no pleasant tones. II
should imagine my white face--if ii 10
white, aunt-would prove most satisfacto-
~ to him. II would testify 10 the reality /
OF my indisposition OF yesterday"
"Mrs. Gilbert has sent the silks for you
select, Florence" her ladyship remark. |
wishing to turn the conversation, which
: 'elt was getting dangerous. ..They are
u .oysly; but Margaret advises you tc
chose the crean-white-all white 10 sc
trging by daylight"
"Oh, aunt, spare me today" Florence
said wildly. .'Or choose for me--or rather /
leave them unchosen. l cannot, will not,
look at them now. The very thought Of
them sickens me"'
"Well, dear, don't worry yourself about
them now. Leave them for the present,
till Margaret comes. Take some hot coffee, /
Florence, and try to get some color into
your cheeks" and her ladyship filled .
cup and passed il TO her niece, looking
auxiously into her face the while. MY
dear, fear YOU arc i'll. Tell me what you
feel. You really make me anxious" hei
ladyshfp added earnestly,
"You need not be, aunt. l am really
we'll, beyond being tired through n sleep
less night ana u uedTtdcue. Il ucy arc Dol u
ordinary ailments, and need cause no anxi
ETY."
.But you have no business with either,
Florence
"Aunt, answer me truly. DO you non.
estly think that Lord Harcourt's love, OF
affection--call it what you please--is Az
all-satisfying possession for me--for any
girl Of NV age, of course putting his lord
ships coronet out Of the question:"
"But You can scarcely separate one from
the other, Florence. Love seems " nae
to he hardly tit term TO use in our posi-.
tion. OF co1rse 1t Is understood. oat
feels esteem and respect for ones husband.
and affection will come. Remember, flcr.
ence dear, in your position YOU cannot be
tried by little daily troubles aud cares se
constantly recurring In other classes"
"And YOU conscientiously assure me.
aunt Margaret. that you think ] may feel
esteem aud respect for Lord Hareeurt, and
that Affection will Gomez" Miss Worth
ington asked.
But Lady Raven liked the tone Of hei
piece's voice less than the 9uestion--hei
white face least vi all.
"of course do, my dear: and think
you are most fortunate girl. You ars
making much more brilliant match thar
your cousin Margaret madc.''