Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-05-31

uOu KNOW, Slr. she spoke 10 Her
father. They are in the room just
across the hall, sir"
The face Of Meriwether Lewis was
pale when presently he opened the door
leading to the apartment which had
been indicated. He. knew. or thought
he knew, who this must be. But why
why?
The interior was dim. A single lamp
of the inefficient sort then in use serv.
ed only to lessen the gloom. Present
ly, however, he saw awaiting him the
figure he had anticipated. Yes. it was
she herself. Almost his heart stood
still.
Theodosia Aston arose from the spot
where she sat in the deeper shadows
and came forward to him. He met
her, his hands outstretched, his pulse
leaping eagerly in spite Of his reproofs.
He dreaded, yet rejoiced.
"Why are you here?" he asked at
length.
my father and | are on a journey
down the river to visit Mr.. Blennerhas.
set on his island. You know his castle
there?"
why is it that you always come to
torment me the more? Another day
and l should have been gone!"
Torment you, sir?"
"You rebuke me properly. l presume
l should have courage to meet you al.
ways, to speak with you, to look into
your eyes, to take your hands in mine.
But find it hard, terribly hard. Each
time it is worse, because each time !
must leave you. Why did you not wait
one day."
She made no reply. He fought for
his self control.
"Mr. Jefferson, how is he?" he de.
manded at length. "You left him
well?"
Interchangeable as flint. You said
that only the order of your chief could
change your plans. l sought to gain
that order. went myself to see Mr..
Jefferson that very day you started.
He said that nothing could alter his
faith in you and that nothing could
alter the plan you both had made. he
would not call you back. He ordered
me not to attempt to do so, but l have
broken the presidents command. You
find it hard! Do you think this is not
hard for me alsoY
These are strange words. What is
your motive? What is it that you
plan? Why should you seek to stop
me when am trying to blot your face
out of my mind? Strange labor is that
to try to forget what l hold most
dear!"
You shall not leave my face behind
you, Captain Lewis!' she said sud.
denly.
what do you mean. Theodosia?
I What is it,"
"You shall see me every night under
the stars, Meriwether Lewis. l will
not let you go. ! will not relinquish
you"
He turned swiftly toward her, but
paused as if caught back by some
mighty hand.
What is it?" be said once more, half
in a whisper. What do you mean?
Would you ruin me? Would you see
me go to ruin?"
mo. To the contrary, shall l allow
you to hasten into the usual ruin of a
man? If you go yonder, what will be
the fate of Meriwether Lewis? You
have spoken beautifully to me at times.
You have awakened some feeling of
what images a woman may make in a
mans heart. ] have been no more to
you than any woman is to any man
the image of a dream. But, that being
so beautiful, ought I to allow you to
turn it to ruin? Shall l let you go
down in savagery? All, if l thought l
were r%elinquishing you to that, this
would be a heavy day for me"
Can you fancy what all this means
to me?" he broke out hoarsely.
"Yes; ! can fancy. And what for
me? So much my feeling for you has
BENCH, call it what you like-admira-
ton, affection, maternal tenderness-I
do not know what-but so much have
/ wished, so much have I planned for
your future in return for what you
have given me-ah, I do not dare tell
you! l could not dare come here If !
did not know that I was never to see
or speak to you again. Itstears my
heart from my bosom that I must say
these things to you. l have risked all
my honor in your hands. Is there no
reward for that? Is my recompense
to be only your assertion that l tor
ment you, that l torture you? What?.
Is there no torture for me as we'll?
The thought that I have done this
covertly. secretly-what do you think
that costs ineY
"Your secret Is absolutely safe with
me, Theodosia. No. 1t is not a secret!
We have worn that neither Of us
would lay u secret upon the other. ]
swear that to You once MORE"
"And yet you upbraid mo when
say cannot give you up to any fate