Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1912-07-10

OF Edwin ADAMS, a manufacturer, IL
stonlngton. Connecticut Ny father
was also for several terms member i,
OF Congress from that State. As the
death OF my mother occurred when |
was but Ave years old, all my fathers
love was lavished upon me. and /
grew up surrounded by every advan.
tags which abundant means and high
social position could supply. During
all those earlier years my playmate
and most iIGmate companion was
Charles Brennan, younger brother Of
the Major. and the sou OF Judge David
Brennan OF tho State Supreme Court
As We grew older his friendship for
me rlpened into love. feeling which
found Il impossible to return. / liked
him greatly, valued him most highly,
continued his constant companion,
yet experienced no desire for closer
relationship. Ny position was rem.
dered the more difficult as Il had long
been the dream of the heads OF both
houses that or 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 / barely seventeen
most serious accident occurred-a
runaway-in which Charles heroically
preserved my life, but himself re.
ceiyed injuries, from which death In
a short time was inevitable. In those
last lingering days of suffering, but
one hope, one ambition, seemed 10
possess his mind-the desire TO make
me his wife, and leave me the fortune
which was his through the will 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
tather l consented to crafty his wish.
and we we're united in marriage while
he was on his deathbed. Two days
later he passed away"
She pau ed, her voice faltering, her
eyes moist with unshed tears. Scarce
/
where It rested against the saddle.
His brother" she paused slowly,
now Major Brennan, but at that time
prosperous banker in Hartford, a
man nearly double the age Of Charles.
was named as administrator OF the
estate, to retain It's management until
| should attain the age of twcnty-one.
Less than a year later M father also
died. The final settlement Of his es.
tate was likewise entrusted to Frank
Brennan, and he was made my guard
ian. Quite naturally | became a resi-
dent Of the Brennan household, upon
the same standing as a daughter. be
ing legally a ward of my husbands
brother. Major Brennan's age, and
his thoughtful kindness to me, Won
my respect, and l gradually came tc
look upon him alT ost as an elder
brother, turning to him in every time
of trouble for encouragement and
help. It was the necessity OF oul
business relation which first com
PEELED me to come South and jOiT
major Brennan in CANT; as he wal
unable to obtain leave OF absence,
was obliged to make the Trip. No
until that time, Captain Wayne-in
deed not until after our experienced
at Mountain View-did l fully realize
that Major Brennan looked upon MI
otherwise than as a guardian upon hi
ward. The awakening period paine'
me greatly, especially as wal
obliged to disappoint him deeply; ye
| seek to retain his friendship, for m.
memory Of his long kindness mus
ever abide. am sure you will under
stand, and not consider me unwoman
ly in thus making you a confidant"
Il can never be sufficiently CRATE
ful that you have thus trusted me"
said with an earnestness that cause
her to lower her questioning e-es. II
has been a strange misunderstanding
between us, Mrs. Brennan, but you
words have brought a new hope t
one disheartened Confederate soldier
| must be content with hope, yet ar
rich compared with thousands Of otl
ers: infinitely rich in comparison wit
what | dreamed myself an hour ago.
held out my hand. There will com
| a day when | shall answer your IL
v,tsation to the North"
i You are on your way homer"
| Yes; to take FREE Aold upon lif'
trusting that sometime In the earl
future | may feel worthy to come
you"
70 worthy" she echo the, word.
n touch Of scorn in he- voice, her eye
II dark with feeling. Worthy? CAPITAL
Wayne, sometimes think you tn
Is most unselflsh man l ever knew
ly Must the sacrifices, then, always b
70 made by you? Can you not conceiv
n It possible that l also might like
y. Yield up something? Is t possib
'u you deem me a woman to who
m money is a god?"
o. NO" said, my heart bounding
n the scarce hidden meaning of her il
en- petuous words, nor h"ve the sacr
fees always been mine; you wei
y, once my prisoner"
Mt She bent down, her very soul
ct her eyes, and rested one white har
lis upon my shoulder. For An instant v
We read each others heart in silenc
a then shyly she said, Il am still yol
ay prisoner"