The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-04-12
Theodosid Burr

AS the clock" rejoined Burr "She hust see him before the breakfast
 hour."
 My compliments, Colonel Burr. Good night!"
 Good night, sir," added Yrujo. "It has been strange day"
 Secrecy, gentlemen, secrecy! I hope
 soon to have more news for you, and
 .ood news too. Au revoir!''
 Burr himself accompanied them to
 he door,
 One instant Aaron Burr sat, his head dropped, revolving his plans. The next, he pulled the bell cord and paced the floor until he had answer.
 "Go at once to Mrs. Alston's rooms, Charles" he said to the servant. "Tell her to rise and come to me at once. Tell her not to wait. Do you hearw
 He still paced the floor until he heard a light frou frou in the hall, light knock at the door! His daughter en- tered, her eyes still full of sleep, her attire no more than a loose pegnoir caught up and thrown above her night garments.
 What is it, father-are you ill?'
 "Far from it, my child," said he turn ing, with head erect. "I am alive, we'll and happier than have been for months-years. need you-come, sit here and listen to me-"
 | He caught her to him with swift, paternal embrace-he loved no mortal being as he did his daughter-then pushed her tenderly into the deep seat near by the lamp, while he continued pacing up and down the room, voluble and persuasive, full of his great idea.
 The matters which he had but now discussed with the two foreign officials he placed before his daughter. He told her all-except the truth. And Aaron Burr knew how to gid falsehood itself ] until 1t seemed the truth.
 Now you have it, my dear," said he.
 "You see, my ambition to found a country of my own, where man may have a real ambition. This dirty
 village here is too narrow a field for talents like yours or mine. Let me tell you, Napoleon has played great jest with Mir. Jefferson. There is nothing i in the constitution of the United States II am lawyer enough to know that which will make it possible for con gress to ratify the purchase of Louisi- ana. We cannot carve new states from that country-it is already settled by the subjects of another government. Hence the expedition of MT. Lewis must fail-it must surely fall of its own weight. It is based upon an ab- surdity. Not even MT. Jefferson can fly in the face of the supreme laws of the land.
 "But as to the Mississippi valley, matters are entirely different. There is no law against that country's organiz- ing for better government. As these states on the east confederated in the cause against oppression, so can those wonder. There will be more opportu- nifty for strong men there when that game is on the board-men like Cap tain Lewis, for instance. Should one ally ones self with foredoomed fail ure? Not at all. I prefer rather sue cess-station, rank, power, money, for myself, if you please. With us-a mil lion dollars for the founding of our new country. With him-for the under taking of yonder impracticable and chimerical expedition, twenty Live hun dred dollars! Which enterprise, think you, will win?
 "But, on the other hand, if that ex- petition of MT. Jefferson's should suc- ceed by virtue of accident or of good leadership, all my plans must fail that is plain. It comes, therefore, to 1 this, Theo, and may tell you plainly Captain Lewis must be seen-he must be stopped-we must hold con- ference with him. It would be useless for me to undertake to arrange all that. There is only one person who can save your fathers future, and that one, my daughter, is-youw
 He caught Theodosia's look of sur- prise, her start, the swift flush on her cheek, and laughed lightly. "Let me explain. Aaron Burr and all his family, all his friends, will reach swift advancement in wonder new gov ernment. Power, place-these are the things that strong men covet. I plan for myself some greater office than sec , ond fiddle in this tawdry republic along the Atlantic. I want the first place and in a greater field. I will take my friends with me. want men who can lead other men. ] want men like Cap tain Lewis" ./ "It seems that you value him more now than once you did"
 "Yes, that is true, Theo; that is true. I did not favor his suit for your hand at that time. Although he had mod est fortune in Virginia lands, he could not offer you the future assured by MT. Alston. was rejoiced-I admit 1t frankly-when I learned that young Captain Lewis came just too late, for feared you would have preferred him. And yet saw his quality then. MT. Jefferson sees it. He is good chooser of men. But Captain Eewis must not advance beyond the Ohio. That is a large task for . woman"
 Gro bs continued.)