Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1891-11-27
RENA MENTION.

RENA MENTION.
s; : :: 81
B: g. 8
e 1('l!l!,'{!!.'
& (@ morning in the little
III MXH Massachusetts VIII
NH M lage Of CRANKY, and
NJ H&&E within the great
! M @N hall of one Of it's
&S%G quaint old mansions
Et,a*As s s~nsr t 81 sh. P ssssst
Col. Richard Warresby, direct descen-
dant in the female line from its builder.
The old wainscoted walls are hung with
family portraits, to which the Colonel,
who sits gazing into the log fire blazing on
the andirons, bears a most striking resem-
blance He is tall, well-proportioned
man OF some forty years, whose face,
though kindly, indicates strong resolu-
ton and courage.
His title of Colonel was won by the
most daring bravery on the field of bat
tie, and as he sits gazing into the fire,
this Thanksgiving morning, visions of
soldier life rise wildly before him. He
lives again that day at Nicksburg, ten
years ago, when he encouraged his men
to repel sally of the besieged upon
those working in the trenches Once
more he stands face to face and fights
hand to hand with that brave Confed-
crate officer so gallant and handsome,
whose face is indeliby imprinted upon
his memory. Again he sees that officer
fall beneath his sword and again he
shoulders as he feels those large. dark
eyes, fast glazing in death, fixed upon
him with look of unutterable hatred
to the last. '..
81 ardon nae for disturbing you, dear.
but want to introduce our new govern
ess. Miss Rena Mention, of Mississippi "
1t was his wife who spoke, srousing him
from the trance like condition into which
he had fallen. He rose hastily to vel
cone the young lady whom his tempo
rary absence from home had hitherto
prevented him from meeting. Great
heavens! There before him stood the
very officer whom he had killed al Nicks-
burg The face was younger and hand
Fomcr than it had been ten years ago,
End its features were of more delicate
and feminine cast, but there was no
lnls yaking those large dark eyes. Though
that dying look Of hatred had passed
from them, and they now wore cheer
Jul, kindly expression, they were the
Terry same.
The Colonel tried to speak. He tried
to grasp the small white hand so frankly
extended to him impossible. Lis tongue
Glove to the roof of his mouth. lie
staggered, the room reeled, and he knew
90 more.
Rena Mention was the only child OF q
wealthy planter. who had inherited from
his father one of the finest estates in
Mississippi. Reared as the idol of both
parents, the heiress Of great planta-
ton, and the pes ana darling OF 300 or
40, saves, her life was one uninterrupt-
ed day of sunshine until the completion
of her sixth year. Then the guns at
Fort Sumter summoned her father to
the war. At his departure he gave her
q miniature of himself inclosed in a
diamond locket, saying: "My darling,
keep this always for papa's sake, and II
am killed you viii not forget me-"
CAPTAIN Mention never came back. His
name was printed in list of those killed
at Vicksburg, end his young wife, com
petely crushed by grief, died before the
close of the war, which had swept away
all her husbands property, leaving hel
ten-year- old daughter penniless. For a
time little Rena was cared for by heI
aunt, but she, too died, and at sixteen
the girl, who had developed into mag
nfcent Southern beauty. was thrown
completely upon her own resources
Making her way to New YORK; sne
found employment as governess' an9
it was in that capacity that she nae
been engaged by Mrs. WarresDy anc nay
accompanied her to her New England
home
When dinner was announced on tna'
THANKSGIVING Day, Colonel Warresoy
had entirely recovered his composure;
and greeted the rural guests who nae Ia
been hidden to his hospitable board WIN
his accustomed courtesy. To Miss Men.
ton he was particularly kind explaining
his strange conduct Of the morning oy
saying that he had been overcome Dy !
sudden dizziness He assured her tna'
She should be in ell respects daughtel
Of the household, and said that n0tn'nk
should be loft undone to make her nappy
b her new home.