Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-05-05
II SON OF
WEALTH
BY KEITH GORDON
c.sydess. 1904. ty r. C. Meci.r.

Ill ]. =
At first IL was merely the rumor OF a
rumor. then IL became an authenticate
ed report, and last the town, or at least
that part OF it which considered itself
Individually upper crust" thrilled with
the knowledge that Hemingway Trent
was to spend a month with his aunt
Mrs. Ordway.
Set down In black and white. this
fact appears Insignificant. but Just
think moment and repeat the name
over aud over to yourself-''Trent
Trent'-and you will doubtless begin
to thrill, for the name OF Trent Is
known wherever pickles are eaten or
money spent.
1t is only fair to the present Trents
to explain that II Is far cry from the
original pickle, or, rather, from the little
patch OF ground on the edge OF a young
city where that first pickle, that Alad-
din's lamp OF a pickle, grew to the
present representatives OF the family.
Hemingway, the future head of the
Trent family, aged twenty six, was
coming to Carriston for 4 visit. A
blaze OF interest sprang up In anxious
mother hearts at first rumor OF this
fact, and, though they guarded eve
and lip, some sparks few and little adj
ditional fires sprang up In the hearts of
manageable daughters. Finally the
air became surcharged. Adamantlne
father hearts gave signs OF emotion, a
restlessness, critical, lingering sur
vey OF daughterly charms. Several
rush orders for gowns OF more than
ordinary beauty were sent scurrying
across the continent. And II was sig
nifcant that this finery to come was
never mentioned. not even between the
best Of friends.
Amid all the intense, subdued fur
ry OF preparation there was one family
that remained serene. Mr.. and Mrs.
Barry OF Barrydene went their elegant,
langnid way. undistracted and unmoy-
ed, though they. too, had a rnarrisgea-
Bile daughter. The way OF the Barrys
had long since ceased 20 be affiuent II
the Hemingways. for whom Trent was
named. had left n ramshackle shanty
fAr behind them the Barrys, on the 9TH
er hand, had come from a rare old CO.
loniai mansion that overlooked the riv-
er Severn. The only difference be-
tween them was that they had started
ut different ends Of the chain.
Still, Brenda Barry, only child and
chief depository OF the practical sense
OF the house OF that name, was usually
filed with tingiing resentment when
she heard Of the enormous fortunes OF
the new" people. Being a woman, she
could not fail to feel the subtle tense
ness in the social atmosphere, and for
the same reason she instinctively divIn-
ed Its cause. And to say that she was
scornful but family expresses 1t.
There was nothing about the good
looking. athletic young fellow whom
she met week later TO justify that
scorn. He was the usual thing-a very
much washed, Immediately dressed
young man Of the day, with a desire to
please which was so apparent that
Brenda had to goad herself into rcmem-
bering how frightfully new and dis
gustingiy rich he was.
This attitude on The part OF one whose
head might well have been turned by
the hattery and attention he was re-
ceiving on all sides mollified her some
what. Then by chance she happened to
encounter a rather vindictive glance
from Helen Carrngton's violet eyes
Helen was wearing nm exquisitely sim
pie gown that had not seen the light
Beforehand suddenly her own plan OF
action was clearly mapped out In her
mind
TOO much soothing sirup." she re-
nected ironically. "What he needs IS
tonic" This mental comment OF
hers may have had something to do
with the delightful sense OF refresh
ment young Trent felt In her presence.
She asked him none OF the usual ques-
lions with which the others had pes
tered, him until he wondered impa-
tiently IL they had nothing to think
about but him. Indeed. she didn't seem
to be very clear as to his identity, so
that he felt compelled to refer rather
dimdently to the fact that no was on
to visit his aunt, Mrs. Ordway. Even
then her face was impressive.
Rather a stunning girl. that Miss
Barry" he remarked TO his aunt the
next day on their drive as she pointed
Barrydene 20 him. while he noted with
interest its picturesque decay. The
stucco house was a beautiful soft
gray, and what had once been a gar
den after the Italian manner was now
overgrown and neglected, yet full OF
lwistful beauty. Near n corner OF tho
house he caught the CLEAN OF light
gown and energetically tried by means
or hypnotic suggestion 80 cause his
aunt to stop. but she sat placidly be-
SIDE him. utterly unaware that the cas-
Ito OF her mind was being assaulted.
Trent reasoned that II you pass a
persons house often enough you are
pretty sure to meet that person. On
the third successive morning that he
passed Barrydene she came through
the gate IN the neglected hedge just as
his horse logged slowly by.
She wore short pink gown, with
sleeves turned back and collar turned
in. ana In her hand she carried what
appeared to be wet napkin. She
greeted him with n negligent nod, put
ting him still further at ease by her
inquiry.
"Have you'll don't suppose you
have-but have you seen q small dog
that looked as II he were sneaking
away from homer"
Trent was on his horse In a moment,
while he assured her that, though he
had encountered no such animal, he
was sure that he could fad 1t should
she command. She put away his offer.
''Oh. he'll come backi Only he
knows it's wrong-and L like to be
obeyed."
I'D obey in jiffy-if you'd tell me
TO come In" Trent ventured boldly. i
Miss Barry was ali occurrences for a
moment; then a wicked CLEAN danced