Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-10-31
~ any one to cause ME 20 doubt ths
Won were hia wife"
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you were his WIFE,"
| Il recall starting TO explain all this
TO you once" she said, striving vainly
to appear 1T ease. 1T was whom We
were interrupted BY the sudden COM
ing upon 10 Of Nr. and Mrs. Bungay.
Yet I supposed you knew. that you
would have learned the facts from
Others. The last time We were to-
gethsr told you did not wholly un-
derstand you. It 10 no wonder, when
you thought that Of me-"
! Il am going 70 tell you my story,
Captain Wayne. It 10 not pleasant
task under these circumstances, yet
one owe you as we'll as myself. This
may prove our last meeting. and we
must not part under the shadow of q
mistake, however innocently 1t may
have originated I am the only child
of Edwin Adams, manufacturer, Of
Stonington. Connecticut. My father
was also for several terms a member
of Congress from that State. AS the
DEATH q my mother occurred when I
, was but five years old. all my fathers
love was lavished upon me, and I
grew up surrounded BY every advan'
taSe which abundant means and high
social position could supply. During
all those cartier years my. playmate
and most intimate companion was
Charles Brennan, younger brother OF
the Major. and the son Of Judge David
Brennan Of the State Supreme Court,
AS We grew older his friendship for
me r'pened into love. . feeling which
found It impossible to return liked
him greatly, valued him most highly,
continued his constant companion
yet experienced no desire for closer
relationship. My position was rem
dered the more diascult - It had lons
been the dream .of$,the heads Of both
houses that your two families, with
their contingent estates, should be
thus united, and constant urging tried
my decision. severely. Nor would
Charles Brennan give up hope. When
he was twenty and I barely seventeen
a most 1eSiou1 accident occurred-a
runaway which Charles heroically
preserved my life. but himself re.
ceived injuries. from which death in
q short time was inevitable. In those
last lingering days Of suffering. but
one hope. one ambition. seemed ia
possess his mind-the desire to make
me his wife, and leave me the fortune
which was his through the win Of his
mother. cannot explain to you. Cap.
tain Wayne; the struggle passed
through. seeking to do what was right
and BEST. but finally, moved BY my
sympathy. eager to soothe his final
hours Of suffering, and urged by my
father, consented to crafty his wish,
and We were united in marriag while
he was on his deathbed. Two days
later he passed away"
She paused, her voice faltering, her
eyes moist with unshed tears. Scarce
knowing 1t, my hand sought hers.
where it rested against the saddle.
/; Fills. brother" she paused slowly.
nov Major Brennan, but at that time
a prosperous banker In Hartford. a
man nearly double the age Of Charles.
was named as Administrator Of the
estate. to retain its management until
I.should attain the age Of twenty-one.
less than . year later my father also
died. The final settlement Of his es.
tate IVES like1ise entrusted to Frank
Brennan. and he was made my guard
ian. Quite naturally became resi-
dent Of the Brennan household, upon
tho same standing 40 . daughter, be-
ing legally q ward Of my husbands
brother. Major Brennan's age. and
bis thoughtful kindness to me. won
my respect, and I gradually came ia
look upon him alr,ost a. an elder
brother. turning to him In every time
Of trouble for encouragement and
help. It was the necessity Of ouI
business relation which first com
PEELED mo to come South and Join
Major Brennan In camp: - he wa
unable to obtain leave Of absence. 1
was obliged to make tho trip. not
until that time. Captain Wayne-in
deed, not until after our experience
1T Mountain Yisw-did fully realise
that Major Brennan looked upon me
otherwise than . . guardian upon hil
ward. Tbs awaksuing period psinst
me greatly. especially - I va
obliged to disappoint him. deeply: yet