Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1905-05-02

At first it was merely the rumor of a
rumor, then it 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 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 and 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 it is far cry from the
original pickle. or. rather, from the little
patch of ground on the edge of young
city where that first pickle, that Alad-
din's lamp of pickle, grew to the
present representatives of the family.
Hemingway, the future head of the
Trent family, aged twenty-slx, was
coming to Carriston for visit A
blaze of interest sprang up in anxious
mother hearts at first rumor of this
fact, and, though they guarded eye
and lip, some sparks few and little adj
ditional fires sprang up in the hearts of
manageable daughters. Finally the
air became surcharged. Adamantine
father hearts gave signs of emotion,
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 it was Sig
nificant that this fnery 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,
languid way, undistraeted and unmov-
ed, though they, too, had marriagea-
Bile daughter. The way Of the Barrys
had long since ceased to be affiuent. If
the Hemingways, for whom Trent was
had left ramshackle shanty
far behind them the Barrys, on the 9th
err hand, had come from rare old CO.
lonial mansion that overlooked the riv-
err Severn. The only difference be-
tween them was that they had started
at 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 tingling resentment when
she heard of the enormous fortunes of
the new" people. Being woman, she
could not fail to feel the subtle tense
ness in the social atmosphere. and for
the same reason she instinctively divin-
cd its cause. And to say that she was
scornful but family expresses it,
There was nothing about the good
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 desire to
please which was so apparent that
Brenda had to goad herself into remem~
bering how frightfully new and dis
gustingly rich he was.
This attitude on the part of one whose
head might well have been turned by
the fattery and attention he was re-
ceivfng on all sides Modified her some
what. Then by chance she happened to
a rather vindictive glance
from Helen Carrington's violet eyes
Helen was wearing an 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-
fected ironically. what he needs Is
q 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-
tons 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
diffidently to the fact that he was on
to visit his aunt, Mrs. Ordway Even
then her face was impassive.
Rather a stunning girl, that Miss
Barry" he remarked to his aunt the
next day on their drive as she pointed
Barrydene to 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
wistful beauty. Near corner OF the
house he caught the CLEAN of light
gown and energetically tried by means
of hypnotic suggestion TO cause his
aunt to stop. but she sat placidly be-
side him. utterly unaware that the cas-
tie of her mind was being assaulted
Trent reasoned that il you pans
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 turnsi back and collar turned
in, and in her hand she carried what
appeared to be wet napkin. She
greeted him with negligent nod, put
ting him still further at ease By her
inquiry.
4Have you'll don't suppose you
have-but have you seen small dog
that looked as If he were sneaking
away from homer
Trent was off his horse In moment,
while he assured her that, though he