The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1900-12-20

ears enough of your ambitions promises
to just excite her curiosity, but tell her
nothing of the details"
Colonel, you forget that l know moth
ing of the Details" said Harry, with a
smile.
$50 much the better, then; you cali tell
nothing"
Il surely cannot"
but you surmise."
81 surmise great lot. I have my
dreams, Col. Burr
| What are theyT"
81 dream of empires, gilded thrones,
glittering crowns and royal purple
= Very good-very good; the dream is
| the shadow of the substance-so near, ali,
50 near, my dear boy. You know not how
| near"
There was a truthfulness in his voice
! that was assuring, and the dark hazel
eyes, the shade of which had an Oriental
warmth, could not have been clearer or
Drawer. The asperity of life, severe TRIMS,
| exacting popularity and triumphs ardu-
ously attended had not darkened his fore
head, where an exalted idea or the shadow
| OF some great dream was reflected. To
Harry Granger there seemed to be in
Aaron Burr's life a symbolical aspect. To
, him Burr was an emblem of distinction
which is in the soul great. He was Wis
| ihle sign that the race of thinkers and
| race OF men of action were not different
anu HlISHt De combined IN one DOuy. lie
| had the power to soothe, to charm, to in
spire, but with all there was a deep, i'm
penetrableness about the man. Once from
under his spell and one might begin to
doubt.
Burr went with Harry across to the
| Virginia side, and bidding him q kindly
adieu stood watching the youth till he
gallOped out of sight, then returning to
| the boat was ferried back to Blennerhas-
sets island home
The sun was sinking in the golden west
! when Burr, approaching the house from
that side, saw the mistress of the isle,
bathed in glory from the expiring rays Of
the sun. He paused but few PAGES from
her, and in low, sweet tone, which he
| alone possessed, said:
| What lovely picture"
Over thereF Mrs. Blennerhassett re-
sponded, with smile, as she pointed to-
ward the golden west
| No; on the piazza. That in the west
is only gold, but here on the piazza we
have rubies, pearls, sapphires and dia-
monds."
| The lady blushetl and asked:
Has the young man gomez
He has," Burr answered, stepping
| upon the piazza. She made room for him
| near her side.
Aaron Burr possessed an uneauaIIed
power of charming the ladies of his day.
His manner toward them, soft, courteous
and winning, had also the peculiarly of
stimulating them to display their powers
and charms to the best advantage. Witty
women were wittiest when talking with
him, and they had a fattering conscious
ness of the fact. He had the art OF ap-
preaching a lady so that, whatever Gift or
grace she most valued herself upon DOS
sessing, was called into agreeable cyer-
else, and she felt that she was shining.
His handsome face, too; his wandering
| brilliant. dark his oil
| inquire, the careful correctness of his cos
tune, the graceful holiness of his de-
meanor. his absolute self-possession and
| reputation for bravery and address. his
unequailed readiness in complimentary re-
Ipartee-ali, or course, contributed to rem
der him irresistible to the weaker sex.
do not blame poor Mrs. Blennerhassett
If she felt the power of this man. The
serpent-charmed bird hutters and tries to
escape from its destroyer, but is held by q
power stronger tlian chains.
When Aaron Burr sat close by the side
OF the beautiful lady she found herself
strangely and unaccountabIy trembling,
She knew it was foolish, but she could
not help it. She still seemed to feel the
soft touch of his little hand In hers, as
they stood on the piazza on his arrival.
In those days gallantry was expected of a
everywhere In Christendom a breaking
away from the severe creeds and strict
morality of the ancient Church; one of the
surest, one Of the first results of which
was, and is, license with regard to WON
en-. The whirlwind of skepticism s0wn Lv
voltaire and Tom Paine was producing
the usual harvest of RIGHTEOUSNESS ard
misery. Yet those were days of gaIlantry.
days Of A'pufs, paints, powders, billet
deux" and laxity of morals.
We do not offer this DEPRESSION as an
excuse for Aaron Burr or his victims
There are Burrs of today, perhaps not so