Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1913-06-05
WEEKLY
Short Story
CATHERINE VAN CORTLANDTS
DREAM.

Day by day with his proud head
bowed and his once active hands fold
ed behind him. Sir Frederick Phiiipse.
Lord OF the Philipse Manor-on-the-
hudson. wandered over miles of his
domain. stunning the presence Of the
sympathiziug pioneers around him,
mis- great heart filed with unutterable
woe, for Margaret his beautiful vie,
was dead.
Bitterly the bereaved husband
hought of his far-away home ia HOl-
land OF his early thirst for adventure
and achievement, Of his said across
the waters, and then OF the mountain
Swallowed Hudson, OF the labor in
volved in securing grants from the
English Crown, Of his purchase OK
lands from the Indians, aud later OF
the making of their home, the home
his wife had 50 long filled with sun
shine and song.
What did il matter to the master
now, that he had built the Manor
house of time-deiying oak and stone,
and the very floors Of the upper stO-
ries were inlaid with rock and mortar
TO prevent the sound OF footsteps
falling too heavily on Margarets ears;
that the grinding OF the mill never
ceased, and the slOOps OF commerce
were weekly moored at the wharf,
ard that gold was lying in his chest2
All ali was vanity and vexation OF
spirit
During their married life, Sir Phil
ipse had been attentive 70 Margaret s
slightest wish. Injuries for the cas-
tie had been brought from afar. The
master had responded with an open
purse TO every reas enable desire, save
one. III aMrgaret were only by his
side today, how gladly hc would say
Yes. my wife. in answer 90 the cry
of your soul. a church shall Sc built
FOR the uplifting OF our people" Alas
when the hour is too late one may al
ways think OF something he mighi
have done.
Eat e. Is well that man cannot for
ever mourn. Tine. the great chacc.
OF mortal woe, passed by and Sin
Frederick PhiipsC. feeling the sooth-
ing power OF his touch. at last. turned
from Lady Margarets "unresponsiy,
dust" 20 bask I'm the living present
OF Catherine Van Cortlandt his sec
ond wife.
Friends and neighbors rcioiced Will
the newly welded pair. Farmer
bringing their produce TO the mill
and sailors waiting az the wharf
smiled on the bride and offered con
ordinations 20 their lord.
For few years all went we'll, thei
one night there was a glare on tn
castle wall. and a real reflection OF
the water. Sir phihpse found IN
mill. the pride OF his heart, on fire.
This Is he work of a maraudin
Indian" muttcred he master, Will
he and his slaves worked heroicall
20 eNting uish the flames. Day dawne
on q Shaking heap of ruins, and agai
the heart of Frederick Philipse wa
heavy within him.
The following night as Catherin
Van COrtlandt lay dreaming, a lad
In shining apparel glided 20 her sid
The apparitioa was envcloped In
mantle Of white cloud. and there wcT
stars of exceeding brightness I'm ne
crown. Catherine softly whispere
the woman, 81 come 20 YOU I'm n
spiritual body Of Margaret, first W..
of Frederick Phiiipse, Lord OF Phi
ipse Manor; ! thank YOU for the con
fort you have brought 80 my husband
once lonely home. Sir Philipse n,
divided his affections between YOU an
me, and vet his heart is just the sam
Love SIS eternal substance. the OF
thing hGt cannot DC diminished
giving; but my time with YOU Is shoi
/ must hasten TO tell my mission.
For many years before / left cart
life / yearned for my husbands c
operation In building a church I III
possessions OF my own, and cou
have had ne building erected witho
Sir Frederick's aid. hut I loved 4
immoral cOrf and hn1fova1 "a cnfrift,