Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-05-20

to see how it could havo put SO much
gold into any one mans pocket. Be-
sides, the present accumulations of the
Rothschilds were the gradual increase of
several generations; whereas De Lisle's
fortune had, so to say, sprung up In d
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 or twenty minutes,
and always aroused more interest than
he satisfied. Without seeming to be so,
he was careful in his selection of &C.
quaintances; only the select circle Gould
say they knew him. 1t was evident,
therefore, that the count did not intend
to use any of his power In the amuse.
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 that he was
the richest man in tho world. But that
fact actually rendered his convention
ality eccentric.
February came, and people were say.
ing that the season was over, when all at
once invitations were issued to dinner
and reception at Count de Lisle's. Hero
was sensation at lastl Every one who
was invited had different idea of what
it would be like, There were two hun
dred and fifty invitations all told-a good
sized dinner party, but still by no means
larger amount of guests than New
Yorks highest circle could easily have
furnished. In fact, tho number could
not we'll 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 brilliant oc-
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 gooddeal Of curious spec
ulation. The count was bachelor, and,
as 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? It was assumed that she would
be some recognized leader of society;
somebody who would be recognized at
once as the right person in the right
place. But when it became known (as
happened few days before the date Of
the dinner) who she really was, there
was 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; for
although she had been in retirement ever
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 was "off COLOR" there was
yet feeling that her career had not
been, socially speaking, exactly fortu-
nate. Her marriage had been a secret
one, and the event that had caused it to
be revealed had been sinister and terri
BILE. 1t was not her fault; but society is
selfish and fastidious. and prefers not
to be brought in contact with people
whose presence recalls hideous things
This was not the only reason, however,
for criticising the selection of Salie
Matchin. Two others were Immediately
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 his
murder. The second was that the date
appointed-February twenty-fve-was
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 house
because it suited him. He had appointed
February twenty five because he was not
able to complete his preparations earlier.
But it was no accident that Sallie
Matchin accepted his proposition. She
must have done so with her eyes open,
and knowing the remarks to which it
would give rise 1t was hard to fathom
her motive in taking such u step. It
could hardly be vanity; she was certain
to he criticised far more than envied
Could it be that she looked forward to
eIuerSlNS uoG oHly lIoH ucl eotldh 1o-
tirement but from her widowhood as
well? After having gained handsome
fortune by one husband, was she to
reach the highest pinnacle of human
affluence 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 Of
February arrived, and the flower Of
Manhattan Island drove up to the Trent
house with a soul full of surmise and
anticipation.