The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1912-03-07

How should Rave thought other
wiser" | exclaimed, my eyes eagerly
searching her downcast face. why.
Cation told me II was so the night
was before Sheridan; he confirmed II
again in conversation less than an
hour ago. Colgate, my Lieutenant,
who met you in baltimore hospital,
referred to him the same way If |
have been deceived through all these
months, surely everything and every
| body conspired to that errd-you bore
the same name; you told me plainly
| you were married; you wore a we'd
| ding-ring; you resided while ct camr
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"
Il 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 / supposed you knew, that you
would have learned the facts from
others. The last time we were to-
gether I told you did not wholly un-
| derstand you. Il is no wonder, when
you thought that of me-"
81 am going to tell you my story,
! Captain Wayne II Is not a pleasant
task under these circumstances, yet
one ! owe you as well as myself This
may prove our last meeting and we
must not part under the shadow of a
mistake, however innocently 1t may
have originated. ] 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 lavished upon me, and
grew 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 ripened into love, a feeling which
| found II 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 II 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
a 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. | 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 we're united in marrl age 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.
"His brother" she paused slowly
now 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 it's management until
| should attain the age OF twenty-one
Less than year later my father alsC
died. The final settlement OF his ee
40.