New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-12

enormous wealth, according TO the gossip
of the town. She had no children. and she
had not been through the divorce courts.
Wonderful 10 relate, the old Countess, who
lived in a decayed and half ruined palace, q
veritable museum of antique furniture,
wonderful paintings and tapestries, and
maintained the ghost Of former pOmp and
splendor had actually invited Mary to her
annual ball. This was great triumph for
the moment. Mary and Siyola both be-
longed to the fashionable hunt on the Cam
magma. and he rode only as Italian noblemen
trained 10 cavalry service can ride while
she was reviving her old Long Island reputa-
tom as a horsewoman. They were seen
everywhere together, and Rome was waiting
for the formal announcement OF the engage
ment.
The Sivola fortunes were in the ascend
ant when an important event occurred IN
the American colony. The great Mrs.
Vanestor of New York and Newport came
ON for the early spring in Rome, and was IN
residence at the Hotel Excelsior. There was
an outDouring of the colony the following
dav and we stumbled over one another in
orr anxiety to leave cards. Mrs. NaneStor
Seldom received anyone until she was set
fed But this did not apply to Mary Mid
dle+on Everyone knows that Mrs. Van
es,or has a weakness for the old nobility,
and she always entertalns their representa-
tiyes when they visit New York. She de-
lights in being received by them IN their
homes in the foreign cities she visits. And
did Nlarv-well, all know was that met
her that afternoon at the Excelsior, ana ina,
she had SivOla in tow, and that she mad
taken her lamb to see the Queen.
Late that evening | met SlyQla' VINO was
the very picture Of happiness. tie was eager
to confde in me. II was such a pretty little
story! Yes, he had been with Mary to cal
on Mrs Vanestor. He was not much I'M
pressed with the solemnlty OF the occasion
or the grandeur of the lady; but It mad leo
70 Great developments. Many OF the callers
had sent flowers, and the Nanestor drawing
room was faint with the heavy odors and
brilliant with blooms. q,
Mrs. Vanestor, it will be remembered
was one Of the first who discovered the
American Beauty rose. She admits nc
other in the decorative schemes OF her en-
tertainments. 1t is the floral emblem OF hei
house. II has ancestry, beauty, and geneal-
ogv. as well as presence, and 1t perSonlhei
wealth, in that it is very expensive. Mary
said she agreed with her hostess. she loved
il above all others-and did it not always
remind her of her dear Mrs. Nanestor:
There was an absence of American Beauties
in Rome. No-there was a possibility OF
their being procured at one shop II the
Naples ship was in. as they came IN cold
storage from New York. They were tai
beyond the reach of Nlary's limited purse
and she loved them 50.
When the visit was over and Mary was
on her way back to her hotel Slvola rushed
to the florist. Great good fortune. mere
was q consignment Of the precious roses Just
in from America. But the price was terrific
and represented two months OF Slvola S IN
come. The florist would give HIM short
credit. In the South of Italy were the SiVola
farms. rented out to tenantry. The revenue
from them was small; but Sivola could run
down there for a week and squeeze out the
price Of the roses from the meager profits OF
the olive and the vineyard. He bought tho
roses and bulled the market. He owned al
the American Beauties in Rome. He I'M
medatelv had the flowers sent TO Mary, anc
he wrote her, telling her that the bloom.
would bid her "adieu for week, as he was
called away on important business. Mary
had replied in the most gushing manner
that | have no doubt. He told me she had
written him Immediately, and she had salc
that she would always keep the roses II
front of little shrine she had in her boudoT
and that when they faded she would pres
the leaves. She had sCOldcd him teariuuy