Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1912-04-24

denly choked Then the rich color
overspread her face. MY husband?"
She calculated in voice barely audi.
BILE. my husband? Surely you can
not mean Major Brennan?"
But I certainly d." I said, won
dering what might be wrong. Whom
else could I mean?"
And you thought that?" she asked
lncredulously. "Why, how could you?"
How should I Rave thought other
wise?" l exclaimed, my eyes eagerly
searching her downcast face. "Why,
Cation told me it was so the night I
was before Sheridan; he confirmed it
again in conversation less than an
hour ago. Colgate, my Lieutenant,
who met you in a Baltimore hospital,
referred to him the same way. If I
have been deceived through all these
months, surely everything and every
body conspired to that end-you bore
the same name; you told me plainly
you were married; you wore a wed.
ding-ring; you resided while ct camp
In his quarters; you called each 9TH
er Frank and Edith. From first to
last not one word has been spoken
by any one to cause me to doubt that
you were his wife,
I recall starting to explain all this
to you once" she said, striving vainly
to appear at ease. 1T was when we
were interrupted by the sudden COM
ing upon us of Mr.. and Mrs. Bungay
Yet I supposed you knew, that you
would have learned the facts from
others. The last time we were to.
gether told you did not wholly un-
derstand you. It is no wonder, when
you thought that of me-"
II am going to tell you my story,
Captain Wayne. It is not pleasant
task under these circumstances, yet
one owe you as we'll as myself This
may prove our :ast meeting, and we
must not part under the shadow of q
mistake, however innocently it 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 of my mother occurred when
was but five years old, all my fathers
love was lavisFo" upon me, and
crew up surrounded by every advan-
tage which abundant means and high
social position could supply. During
all those earlier 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 lipened into love, feeling which l
found it impossible to return. l 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 difficult as it had long
been the dream of the heads of both
houses that our 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
a. most serious accident occurred-a
runaway-in which Charles heroically
preserved my life, but himself re-
| ceived injuries, from which death in
! short time was inevitable. In those
last lingering days of suffering, but
| one hope, one ambition, seemed to
possess his mind-the desire to make
! me his wife, and leave me the fortune
which was his through the will of his
mother. I cannot explain to you, Cap
tain Wayne, the struggle I 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 marriage while
be was on his deathbed. Two days
later he passed away"
She paused, her voice faltering, her
eyes moist with unshed tears. Scarce
knowing it, my hand sought hers,
where it rested against the saddle.
Ills brother" she paused slowly,
now Major Brennan, but at that time
4 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 twenty-one.
Less than year later my 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 resi-
dent Of the Brennan household, upon
the same standing as daughter, be-
Ing legally ward of my husbands
brother. Major Brennan's age, and
his thoughtful kindness to me, won
my respect, and gradually came to
look upon him alr,ost as an elder
brother, turning to him in every time
Of trouble for encouragement and
help. It was the necessity of our
business relation which first com.
PEELED me to come South and join
Major Brennan in camp; as he was
unable to obtain leave Of absence, 4
was obliged to make the trip. Not
until that time, Captain Wayne
deed, not until after our experience
at Mountain View-did I fully realize
that Major Brennan looked upon me
olArwise than as a guardian upon his
ward. The awakening period panied
me greatly, especially as I was
obliged to disappoint him deeply; yet