The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1910-08-23
Marnrny's
Dream
1t Was Thought to Be Super
stition. but 1t Was True.
BY HARRIET L. CEDDEs.
Copyright. 1910. by American Press
Association.
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In Alabama in antebellum days was
a fair plantation comprising many
hundred acres and many hundred
slaves. On an elevated spot stood the
mansion. great square house with
galleries" surrounding every story
and shaded by high trees. In the rear
were the homes of the negroes. line
of cabins. kept clean by frequent coats
Of whitewash The plantation. now
cut up. is the site of large cotton mills
This property was owned by child
six months old Its grandfather and
its father had both died within brief
period. leaving young widow. mother
of the heir at law. as his guardian and
manager of the plantation.
Edward lie Moyne. this child's un
Gle and brother of his father, was a
forcible man, who, under the pre-
tense of assisting his sister-in-law In
the management of her property. es-
tablished himself In the house and as
sumed control. Mrs Julian LIE Moyne
the widow. had not invited him to do
So but, being a very gentle feminine
person, had not the will power to pre-
vent him. Edward lie Moyne in his
youth had been wild. Indeed. he had
disgraced himself, and his father had
willed the property to bis brother Ju-
liam. When Julian died and Edward
commenced the role of assistant to the
mother of the child. who had inherited
the property. the mother was sure his
object was to get rid of the heir thai
he might become the owner himself.
Edward lie Moyne had married a
woman beneath his family, by whom
he had son. Had Edward brought
them to the plantation to live Mrs. Ju-
liam would not have had the will pow
er to prevent his doing so. Instead
he established them In a town near by.
and Mrs. Julian knew very well that
the next move would be, when Ed
ward had got rid of her son. to the
manor house.
As might have been expected. the
child fell Ill. Edward LIE Moyne saw
him lying in his mothers arms uncon-
scious She accused him Of having
poisoned the boy and. summoning
more fortitude than she had displayed
before, ordered him out of the room
Quailing before her, he retired. Two
days later he saw a little coffin car
r1ed to the family burying ground on
hill near by. followed by the widow
and a number of her house servants.
who were devoted to her When she
returned to the manor house she pack
ed her belongings and the same day
took her departure.
Edward LIE Moyne took possession
Of the plantation. brought his wife and
son, then ten years old. to the mansion
and lived there lonely life. None of
the neighboring planters would have
anything to do with him, and his
slaves hated him.
Twenty years later his son. Tom.
who had come into possession of til;
property. with view to establish re-
lations with the neighboring planters.
gave a ball. He was no better liked
than his father had been. and the ac-
ceptances were few. Nevertheless
they were sufficient for merrymak-
ing. Among the guests was Proctor
St Clair. young man who had been
brought up by relative and extreme
ly popular on account of his high
sense Of honor. his independent char
acter and other manly traits. Anoth
er guest was Caroline Archard. the
belle Of the country round about.
Tom LIE Moyne was ambitious to win
this girl. thinking that a marriage
with her would gain him an entree into
the aristocratic families in his neigh
borhood
But hardly had the guests arrived
and the festivities begun before lie
Moyne observed that Miss Archard
was manifesting decided preference
for young ST. Clair. The traits of the.
father showed themselves in the son
He resolved to work by underhand
means. relying largely on assurance to
carry bis point. When his guests were
ready to depart be invited them all
to remain as house party for as long
as they would. A dozen accepted
among them Mr.. St Clair and Miss
Archard. both secretly desiring to
avail themselves Of the opportunity to
be together. LIE Moyne was especially
urgent that St. Clair should remain
promising him every facility for enjoy
ment.
lie Moyne used his privileges as hosI
to assign himself In all rides. drives
and other amusements to escort Miss
Archard. Nevertheless be saw that
the moment she was free she and St.