El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1914-04-11

love. There were half a dozen, per-
haps, before her. The names OF some
Of them were queer enough to sour the
desires Of any but particularly ar
dent youth. There was a time when
jefferson thought that Sukey Potter
was the only girl in the world for him
Some Of the letters he wrote to her
and about her do credit to him as a
courageous young man. but not other
wise. Then he paid COURT to Judy Bur
well and rhapsOdized over her as only
a calloW youth can who has a command
of language and a feeling which he
Burwell-sister Of Judy-tO whom JEFF
fersOn transferred his attentions when
Judy proved inconstant. 1 Belinda had
had less spirit, she might have been
Mrs. Jefferson, but the publicity of his
courtship was too much for her
With Belinda, Jefferson adopted the
tactics Of Miles Standish, and with no
more success. he felt sure that he
loved her and he suspected but was not
quite sure that she loved him. He was
making fine progress at the law and
was building up MS estate TO point
where it gave promise Of being a great
property but, to improve his mind, ne
desired to so abroad for two or three
years of study and travel To embark
on the sea f4matrimOny at such a time
was perilous financially, for Belinda
would bring nothing to him but her
beautiful self He thought the matter
out in the calm Of his evenings and
thought the proposal he meant to make
might startle her If her mind were not
prepared in advance, so he beSought his
friend Page, he who afterwards was a
governor of Virginia, to acQuaint her
with his notion about going to Europe,
enlighten her about the great love he
had for her, and ascertain, if possible,
if her affection was strong enough to
bind her for the period of his absence.
"GirIs Are Girls"
Girls have been girls since the begin
ming Of time. Mr.. Page did what he
could to tempt Belinda to confess that
she loved Jefferson enough to wait for
him forever, but Belinda, despite his
adrOit questioning, left Page as much
in the dark about the state of her mind
as ne had been before their interview.
jefferson, hopeful but timerOus, then
availed himself of favorable Oppor-
he could. He explained how necessary
it was for him to make the trip to
foreign lands; how he could not afford
to marry just then; how sure he was
that he loved her; how he might be
gone two years or three years. or per-
haps more. He was confident that alb
sence would not cool his affection, but
he could not openly commit himself to
proposing marriage Just then. He felt
sure that, if she waited for him, he
could formally propose marriage when
he returned, and it would bring great
happiness into his life If he could go
away with the knowledge that he had
her love.
Women will forgive much but never
lack of ardOr in cOurtship. Belinda
BurWeu might as Belinda Jefferson,
have her name inscribed in the roster
of the wives Of great men, but to her
credit be it said that she merely is to
be enrolled among those who gave the
mitten to a great man. She had the
spirit to tell Mr.. jefferson that he was
not the sort Of a husband she desired
And then, to make him miserable, she
married some one else.
Jefferson did not make the trip
abroad he had in contemplation. He
poured out his sorrows IN letters to his
friend Page His pride was hurt, and
he felt q bit o resentment at the fair
Belinda. but his correspondence at that
time viii bring no tears to the eyes
Of even the sentimental.
Jefferson No LaEgard in Love.
Laggard he was in all his love af-
fairs until he met Martha SHELTON Then
he reused himself to a spirit that any
woman would be flattered to know she
was responsible for. Two years of
bachelorhoOd he had after Belinda sent
him away, two years. in which he did
great work In the identification of
and in the cause Of the OPP
pressed colonies. Then, through one
of the law cases in which he was en-
gagged, he happened to be invited to
visit The Forest" where John Wavle
a wealthy lawyer. had his estate There
he met Martha Shelton. She was
Wayle's daughter. She had been mar
ried to a rich young planter and, with
in s. year or so Of her marriage, had |
been left n widow.
Rich, beautiful and talented. she had
scores Of suitors. Jefferson did not del /
egate his lovemal1ing in this instance /
to another. He never was much of a /
dancer. never much of a ladies' man, |
but, from the moment he met her. no