Mexico weekly ledger., 1891-10-22

RESS 9lGl
that thes sensation was yet to come.
Then, where had the counts money
come from? So gigantic a fortune could
not have been long in existence, or it
would have been heard of. Was its
source in the mines of Mexico? 1t was |
from Mexico that the count had coIne to
New York; and, according to his W
account, he wa the son of a single
French gentleman, and had received his
title Of nobility from Napoleon-a conn
plimentary gift merely, unaccompanied
by revenue. Perhaps he had found the
key to open the long closed treasure
house Of the Montezumas. Perhaps he
had stumbled upon a hoard laid up at
the period Of Maximilian's accession,
when France anticipated gaining a per-
manent foothold in the country. Fer
haps he had discovered a diamond mine
on his own account richer than those of
Golconda. Or possibly he had only come
suddenly into a number of great inner
i~tances, to which circumstances had
| given a multiplied value. The founda-
ton of the wealth of the Rothschilds
had been laid by speculation on the re-
suits of a war. There had lately been a
great war in Europe, but it was difficult
to see how it could have put SO much
| gold into any one mans pocket. Be-
sides, the present accumulations of the
R~othschilds were the gradual increase of
| several generations; whereas De Lisle's
fortune had, so to say, sprung up Il a
night.
In the course of the season the count
was seen at the principal houses in town;
but he never remained at any place
more than fifteen II twenty minutes,
and always aroused more interest than
he satisfied. Without seeming to be so,
he was careful in his selection of ac-
quaintances; only the select circle could
say they knew him. It vas evident,
therefore, hat the count did not intend
to use any of his power in the anuse-
ment of defying society-as of course he
might easily have done. He was going
to be conventional, like ordinary men
always with the difference hat he was
the richest man in the world. But that
fact actually rendered his convention
atty eccentric.
February came, and people were say
ing that the season was over, when all at
once invitations were issued to q dinner
and reception at Count de Isles. Here
was a sensation at last! Every one who
was invited had a different idea of what
it would be like. There were two hun
bred and fifty invitations all told-a good
sized dinner party, but still by no means
a larger amount of guests than New
York's highest circle could easily have
furnished. In fact, the number could
not well have been smaller; but then
they were the choicest of the choice. The
most beautiful girls, the most aristo-
cratic ladies, the most distinguished
gentlemen. 1t would be a brilliant &C.
casion; no one had a right to complain,
although, of course, those who were not
among the elect might be expected to
feel disappointed.
There was one point about this affair
that excited a good deal of curious spec
ulation. The count was a bachelor, and,
as a number of unmarried women were
to be of the party, it was natural that he
should ask some lady to assist him in re-
ceiving his guests. Who should this
lady be? 1t vas assumed that she would
be some recognized leader of society
somebody who would be recognized al
once Is the right person in the righ,
place. But when it became known las
happened a few days before the date Oh
the dinner) who she really was. there
was a general stir of surprise.
Sallie Matchin-or Mrs. Harry Trent
as she should be called-was to stand be
side Count de Lisle in the drawing room
and greet the guests as they came in
Everybody knew who the lady was; TO,
although she had been in retirement evel
since her husbands death, the tragic and
still somewhat mysterious story connect
ed with her last public appearance was
not forgotten. While it could not be SAID
that the lady wa ''of COLOR there was
yet a feeling that her career had moi
been, socially speaking, exactly fortu
nate. Her marriage had been a secrei
one, and the event that had caused it tt
be revealed had been sinister and terri
BILE. 1t wa not her fault; but society is
selfish and fastidious. and prefers no
to be brought in contact with people
whose presence recalls hideous things
This was not the only reason, however
for criticising the selection of Sallit
Matchin. Two others We're immediateIy
conspicuous.
The first was that the house in which
the dinner was to be given was built by
her husband. and was the scene of hi
murder. The second was that the date
appointed-February twenty-fve-wa:
} the anniversary of the day on which
he was murdered.
Unquestionably the condolences were
accidental, as far as the count was con
!, cerned. He had bought the Trent houst
because it suited him. He had appointed
February twenty-five because he was no
t able to complete his preparations earlier
/ But 1t vas nc accident that Sallit
| Matchin accepted his proposition. Shs
; must have done SO with her eyes open
and knowing the remarks to which i
! would give rise. 1t was hard to fathom
her motive in taking such a step. L
, could hardly be vanity; she was certain
! to be criticised far more than envied
Could it be that she looked forward tt
: emerging not only from her social re
tirement but from her widowhood a
well? After having gained a handsome
fortune by n husband, was she t,
reach the highest pinnacle of human
, a%fiuence by means of another? If so
she might afford to disregard the disap
| | proval even of New York.
Time was wanting to discuss the mat
: ter thoroughly. The twenty-ffth O
February arrived, and the flower %