Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1912-03-20

Of Edwin Adams q 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 I
grew up surrounded by every advan.
| tsge 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 sou of Judge David
Brennan of the State Supreme Court
/ AS we grew older his friendship for
me ripened into love. feeling which l
/ found il 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 difficult as It had long
been the dream OF the heads OF both
couses 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
re was twenty and barely seventeen
a most serious accl6r-n occurred
| 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 viii 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 nay
! sympathy. eager to soothe his final
hours OF suffering and urged by M
father. l consented to crafty his wish.
and we were united in marriage while
he was on his deathbcd. TWO days
later he passed away"
She pan ed. her voice faltering. her
eyes moist with unshed tears Scarce
knowing It. my hand sought hers
where il rested against the saddle
His brother" she paused slowly.
now Major Brennan, bur at that tim9
a prosperous banker Ia Hartford.
man nearly double the age OF Charles
was named as administrator OF the
estate, to retain its management until
! should attain the age of twenty 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 ward of my husbands
brother. Major Brennan's age, and
his thoughtful kindness to me. won
my respect. and | gradually came TO
look upoL him al, ost as an elder
brother. turning to him in every time
of trouble for encouragement and
help. II was the necessity of ou-
business relation which FIST com
pellel me 10 come South aud Join
Maior Brennan in cam as he was
unable to obtain leave ci absence.
was Obliged TO make the rip, Not
until that time, Captain Wayne-in,
deed. not until after our experience
at Mountain View--did | fully realize
that Major Brennan looked upon mo-
otherwise than as a guardian upon his
ward The awakening period panied
me greatly. especially as was
obliged to disappoint him deeply; yet
seek to retain bis friendship, for my
memory of his long kindness must
ever abide | am sure you win under
stand, and not consider me unwoman-
ly In thus making you a confldant
u can never be sufficiently crate,
full that you have thus trusted me. I
said with an earnestness that caused
her to lower her questioning c es II
has oeen a strange misunderstanding
between us. Mrs. Brennan, but your
words have brought a new hope to
one disheartened Confederate soldier,
] must be content with hope. ys: | am
rich compared with thousands Of oIh.
ers. infinitely rich in comparison with
what dreamed myself an hour ago
| held out my hand There will come
day when | shall answer your in.
vitation to the North.
'Yo. are on your wa homer"
Yes; to take a fire. -od upon life.
! ifuEiluB lNdt ohultAisbE III AuN cary
future / may feel worthy to come to
you"
worthy" she echoed the word.
touch of scorn in her voice. her eyes
dark with feeling WORTHY? Captain
Wayne. / sometimes thins ron the
4 most unselfish man ever knew
Must the sacrifices. then always be
made by you? Can you not conceive
It possible that / also might Ike to
yield up something? Is / possible
you Geem me a woman TO whom
money is a god?"
NO" I said. my heart bounding to
the scarce hidden meaning of her i'm.
petuous words. nor h@ve the sacri-
fees tlways 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 still your
/ prisoner"
THE END