Middletown transcript., 1912-02-17

"Hey, There, You Gray-BaekI" He
Shouted.
and love to inspire you-for your
mother yet lives. Truly it makes my
heart throb to think of the upbuilding
which awaits you men of the South.
1t is through such as you-soldiers
trained by stern duty-that these
desolated states are destined to rise
above the ashes of war into great
ness never before eQualed. I feel
that now, in this supreme hour of sac
rifce, the men and women of the
South are to exhibit before the world
a courage greater than that of the
battlefield. 1t is to be the marvel of
the nation, and the thought and pride
of it should make you strong"
ut may indeed be SO; I can but be-
neve it, as the prophecy comes from
yeur lips. 1 might even find courage
to do my part in this redemption were
you ever at hand to inspire"
She laughed gently. 'I am not a
Virginian, Captain Wayne, but a most
loyal daughter OF the North; yet if
l so inspire you by my mere words,
surely it is not so far to my home
but you might journey there to listen
to my further words of wisdom"
81 have not forgotten the permis-
sion already granted me, and it is a
temptation not easily cast aside. You
return North soon?"
Within week"
l hardly knew what prompted me
to voice my next question-Fate, per-
haps, weary of being so long Knocked
for felt small interest in her prob
able answer.
DO you expect your husbands re-
lease from duty by that timer"
She gave a quick start of surprise,
drawing in her breath as though sud-
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 do" 1 said, won
dering what might be wrong. "Whom
else could mean?"
J "And you thought that?" she asked
incredulously. why, how could you?"
How should l rave thought other
wiser" I exclaimed, my eyes eagerly
searching her downcast face. "Why,
Cation told me it was so the night / |
was before Sheridan; he confirmed it |
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 end-you bore
the same name; you told me plainly
you were married; you wore a we'd
ding-ring; you resided while 1T 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"
Il recall starting to explain all this
to you once" she said, striving vainly
to appear at ease. "It 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 l told you did not wholly un.
1erstand you. It is no wonder, when
you thought that of me-"
"I am going to tell you my story,
Captain Wayne. It is not a pleasant
task under these circumstances, yet
one owe you as well as myself. This
nay prove our last meeting, and we
must not part under the shadow of a
however innocently it may
have originated. l am the only child
IF Edwin Adams, manufacturer, of
Connecticut. My father
was also for several terms a member
of Congress from that State. AS the
leath of my mother occurred when I
was but five years old, all my fathers
owe was lavished upon me, and l
rev up surrounded by every advan.
age which abundant means and high
ocial position could supply. During
II those earlier years my playmate
md most intimate companion was
'harles Brennan, younger brother Of
he Major, and the son of Judge David
Brennan of the State Supreme Court.
Is we grew older his friendship for
ne ripened into love, feeling which
ound it impossible to return. I liked
i'm greatly, valued him most highly,
ontinued his constant companion,
ct experienced no desire for closer
elationship. MY position was rem
cred the more difficult as it had long
cen the dream Of the heads of both
ouses that our two families, with
heir contingent estates, should be
nus united, and constant urging tried 4
" decision severely. Nor would
harles Brennan give up hope. When
was twenty and 1 barely seventeen /
most serious accident occurred-a
lnaway-in which Charles heroically
reserved my life, but himself re-
siVed injuries, from which death in
short time was inevitable. In those ,
st lingering days of suffering, but q