Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1917-08-09
BY ESTHER vANDEvEER

In Alabama in ante-bellum days was
IA fair plantation comprising many hun
drcd 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 white
wash. 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 a brief
period, leaving young widow, mother
Of the heir at law, as his guardian and
manager of the plantation.
Edward lie Moyne, this childs un-
Gle and brother OF his father, was
scheming man, who, under the pretense
Of assisting his sisterinlaw in <he
management of her property, establish
ed himself in the house and assumed
! control MRS. Julian lie Moyne, the
widow, had not invited him to do so,
but, being very gentle feminine per-
son, had not the will power to prevent
him. Edward lie Moyne in his youth
had been wild Indeed, he had dis
graced himself, and his father had
willed the property 10 his brother Ju-
liam. When Julian died and Edward
eornnaneo1 tho rnlo ~ acsiStapf IN fba
mother of the child who had inherited
the property. the mother was sure his
| object was to get rid OF the heir that
be might become the owner himself.
Edward lie Moyne had married
woman beneath his family, by whom
lie had son. Had Edward brought
them To the plantation TO live Mrs Jul
liam would not have had the will pow
er to prevent his doing so. Instead.
he established them in 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-
scous. 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 carried
10 the family burying ground on a hin
near by. followed by the widow and a
number OF her house servants, who
were devoted to her. When she re-
turned 10 the manor house she packed
her. belongings and the same day took
her departure.
Edward lie Movne took possession
OF the plantation. brought his wife and
son, then ten ycfrs old. TO the mansion
| and lived there a 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 the,
property. with a view 10 establish re-
lations with the neighboring planters
gave n ball. He was no better liked
than his father had been. and the ac-
ceptances were few Nevertheless
they were sufficient for a merrymak-
ing Among the guests was Proctor
st. Clair. young man who had been
reared by relative and was extreme
~ popular on account OF his high sense
OF honor. his Independent character
and other manly traits. Another guest
was Caroline Archard, the belle of the
country round about. Tom lie Moyne
was ambitious TO win this girl, think
ing that a marriage with her would
gaiFhim an entree into the aristocratic
families in his neighborhood.
But hardly had the guests arrived
and the festivities begun before lie
Moyne observed that Miss Archard
was manifesting 4 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 10
carry his point When his guests were
ready TO depart he invited them, all
to remain as house party for as long
as they would 4 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
I ment.
lie Moyne used his privileges as host
to assign himself i'm all rides. drives
, and other amusements. 10 escort Miss
Arhard Nevertheless he saw that
the moment she was free she and ST
Clair seemed TO fall together natural
ly.f One morning after breakfast st.
Clair returned 10 his room for some
article of clothing and was hunting for
IL In the closet when. hearing n step.
he turned and saw lie Moyne come
quickly into the room. pull out a bu-
reau drawer. drop something I'm il and
retire hastily. as he had come In. st.
Clair. being in the closet. had not been
seen. a moment after his host had
left the room he went TO the bureau
drawer and took out a small box con
tanning several articles OF iewelry.
lie was filed with establishment.
horror and Indignation II was evil
dent 10 him that lie Moyne had placed
the jewels in his drawer. intending 10
accuse him OF having stolen them. 81