The Columbus commercial., 1913-03-30

cf Edwin Adams urrrrsl-rer Fl
stcn.nrtuu Corne1u1aL uT Eta
uas also lcr several lclna a. member
of Congress from that state. AS the
death ef my mother occurred wheH {
vas but hve years oid. an my fathers
love vas lavished upcn me- and 4.
grew un surrounded hT every adran.
tage which abundant means and hieh
social position could supply. DURING
an those earlier years my playmats
and most intimate companion vas
Charles Brennan. q younger brother Of
the Major. and the sou Of Judge David
Brennan Of the state Supreme Court
As We grew older bis friendship for
me ripened into love. a feeling which I
found Il impossible to return I liked
him greatly. valued him most highly.
continued his constant companion,
yet experienced no desire for closer
relationship. Ny position was ren.
dered 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
a most serious accident occurred-a
runaway-in which Charles heroically
preserved my life. but himself re.
ceived injuries. from which death in
q short time was inevitable. In those
last lingering days of suffering. but
one hope. one ambition. seemed TO
possess his mtnd-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 10 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
he was on his deathbed. Two days
later he passed away"
She pau ed. her voice falterlng. her
eyes moist with unshed tears. Scarce
knowing II, my hand sought hers.
where 1t rested against the saddle
His brother" she paused slowly.
now Major Brennan. but at that time
prosperous banker In Hartford. a
man nearly double the age OF Charles.
was named as administrator OF the
estate. to retain its management until
should attain the age of twonty-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 natur1lly'I became a resi-.
dent of the Brennan household, upon
the same standing as daughter. be-
ing legally ward of my husbands
brother. Major Brennans age. and
his thoughtful kindness to me, won
my respect, and | gradually came to
look upon him alr ost as an elder
brother, turning to him in every time
of trouble for encouragement and
help 1t was the necessity Of our
business relation which first com.
PEELED me to come South and join
Major Brennan in CAM; as he was
unable to obtain leave OF 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 me
otherwise than as a guardian upon his
ward. The awakening period pained
me greatly, especially as | was
obliged to disappoint him deeply; yeI
| seek to retain his friendship. for my
memory of his long kindness mus
ever abide. am sure you will under
stand. and not consider me unwoman
ly In thus making you a confidant"
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. Il
has been a strange misunderstanding
between us, Mrs. Brennan, but you
words have brought new hope Il
one disheartened Confederate soldier
| must be content with hope, yet an
rich compared with thousands of 9th
ers: infinitely rich in comparison will
what dreamed myself an hour ago
| held out my hand There will com,
day when shall answer your in
yitation to the North"
"You are on your way homer"
Yes; to take FREE .-old upon life
trusting that sometime In the earl,
future | may feel worthy to come t,
you
Worthy" she echoed the word.
touch of scorn in her voice, her eye
dark with feeling. Worthy? Captain
Wayne. sometimes think you tn
most unselfish man | ever knew
Must the sacrifices. then. always b.
made by you? Can you not conceiy,
It possible that | also might like /,
yield up something! Is I possible
you deem me woman to whom
money Is q god'"
No" / said. my heart bounding L
the scarce hidden meaning of her I'm
petuous words. NOR h"ve the sacrI
fees always been mine; you wer
once my prisoner"
She bent down. her very soul Il
her eyes, and rested one white han
upon my shoulder. For an instant W
read each others heart in silence
| 49,. uks.i.. nho cnld nm. aAalI -