The Lamar register., 1912-01-10
My Lady Of
the North


continued his constant companion,
yet experienced NO desire for closer
relationship. Ny position was rem
dsrsd the more difncult 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
. 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. ono 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. cannot explain to you. Cap
tain Wayne. the struggle passed
through. seeking to do what was right
and best; bu. finally. moved by my
sympathy. eager to soothe his nnal
hours OF suffering. and urged by my
father. I consented to crafty his wish.
and We were united IN marriage while
he WAS on his desthbed. Two days
later he passed away" d.
She paused. her voice faltering. her
eyes moist with unshed tears. Scarce
knowing It. my hand sought hers.
where It rested against the saddle.
His brother" she paused slowly.
now Major Brennan. but at that time
prosperous banker in Hartford. .
man nearly double the age of Charles.
was named a. Administrator of the
estate. to retain its Management until
should attain the age Of twenty-one.
Less than . year later my father also
died. The ANAL settlement of his es-
tAts was likewise entrusted to Frank
Brennan. and be was made my guard
ian. Quite naturally ! became . resi-
dent Of the Brennan household. upon
the same standing a. . daughter. be-
ing legally . ward Of my husbands
brother. Major Brsnnan's age. and
his thoughtful kindness to me. won
my respect. and I gradually came to
lock upon him alY,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 nrst COM
PEELED me to come South and Join
Major Brennan in camp; a. he was
unable to obtain leave Of absence. a
was obliged to make the trip. Not
until that time. Captain Wayne-in-
deed. not until after our experience
at Mountain view-did fully realize
has 70
otherwise than As a guardian upon his
ward. The awakening period panied
me greatly. especially as was
obliged to disappoint him deeply: yet
l seek to retain his friendship. for my
memory of his long kindness must
ever abide. I am sure you will under
stand. and not consider me unwoman-
ly in thus making you 4 confdant-"
Il can never be sufiiciently CRATE
full that you have thus trusted me-"
said with an earnestness that caused
her to lower her questioning s--ss. 1T
has been a strange misunderstanding
between US. Mrs. Brennan. but your
words have brought = new hope to
one disheartened Confederate soldier.
I must be content with hope. yet am
rich compared with thousands Of 9TH
ers: infinitely rich in comparison with
what 1 dreamed myself an hour ago"
1 held out my hand. There will come
q day when l shall answer your In
vitation to the North"
You are on your way homer"
Yes: to take fresh .old upon life.
trusting that sometime In the early
future l may feel worthy to come to
you"
Worthy" she echoed the word, q
touch Of scorn in her voice. her eyes
dark with feeling. Worthy Captain
Wayne, sometimes think you the
most unselhsh man ever knew.
Must the sacrifices. then. always be
made by you? Can you not conceive
1t possible that I also might like to
yield up something? II It possible
you deem me a woman to whom
money IL . godf"
NO" l said. my heart bounding to
the scarce hidden meaning Of her i'm
petuous words, nor have the sacri-
ices always been mine: you were
once my prisoner"
She bent down. her very soul In
her eyes. and rested one white hand
upon my shoulder. For an instant We
read each others heart in silence,
then shyly she said. Il am stu your
prisoner"
THE END.