The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1912-06-01


have originated. ! am the only child
OF Edwin Adams. a manufacturer. OF
Bloomington, 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. a 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. My position was rem
dered the more difficult as Il 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 mnd--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 l 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 hts deathbed Two days
later he passed away"
She paused. her voice iaiterlng. her
eyes moist with unshed tears Scarce
knowing II. my hand sought hers,
where II 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 sdmipistrator of the
estate, g retain its management until
| should attain the age OF twenty-one.
Less than d year later my father also
died The final settlement OF his esH
tate was likewise entrusted TO Frank.
Brennan, and he was made my guard
ian. Quite naturally | became resi-
dent or 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 I gradually came to
look upon him alT,ost as an elder
brother, turning to him In every time
Of trouble for encouragement and
help. II 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, 1
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
that Major Brennan looked upon me
otherwise than as a guardian upon his
ward. The awakening period panied
me greatly, especially as ! was
obliged TO dlsappoint him deeply yet
l seek to retain his friendship, for my
memory Of his long kindness must
ever abide. am sure you will under
stand, and not consider me unwomau-
ly in thus making you oonfidant."
Il can never be sufficiently CRATE
full that you have thus trusted me-"
said with an earnestness that caused
her to lower her questioning e~es. 1T
has been strange misunderstanding
between us, Mrs Brennan. but your
words have brought a new hope 10
one disheartened Confederate soldier.
/ must be content with hope, yet ] am
rich compared with thousands of 9TH
tAnf AhAhAAfAf AA'AA III NbhAl tAA AtlR+A 49,
what | dreamed myself an hour ago.
l held out my hand There will come
a day when ! shall answer your In
vltation TO the North"
you are on your way homer"
yes: to take a fresh nold upon life,
trusting that sometime in the early
future may feel worthy TO come TO
YOU"
Worthy" she echoed the word, n
touch of scorn in her voice, her eyes
dark with feeling Worthy? Captain
Wayne, sometimes think you tho
most unselfish man ever knew.
Must the sacrifices, then, always be
made by you? Can you not conceive
II possible that | also might like 10
yield up something? Is II possible
you deem me woman to whom
money is a god?"
"No" I said my heart bounding TO