Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-05-24
, small a n upon

Only for himselfJfor that reason
alone. Mr.. jefferson. and not to change
your %plans-for himself. lc.ause you
love him. Oh, sir. even the greatest
courts sometimes arrest their judg-
ment if there is new evidence to be
introduced. At the last moment JUS
tice gives a condemned man one more
chance"
What is il. T~heolosia?" he said
quietly. II do not grasp all this"
Able men say that this government
cannot take advantage of the sale Of
Louisiana to US by Napolcon; that our
constitution prevents our taking over
Il foreign territory already populated
to make into new states Of u own
Good. my learned counsel. Say on!"
"Forgive my weak wit. l only try
10 say this as l heard it. we'll and
plainly"
AS we'll as any man. my dear.
Go on"
therefore. even if Captain Lewis
does go forward. he can only fail at
the last. This is what is said by the
Federalists. by your enemies"
And perhaps by certain of my own
party not Federalists-by Colonel Aar-
on Burr, for %instance!!" Thomas JEFF
ferson smiled grimly.
"Yes!' She spoke grimly and with
courage.
II cannot pause to inquire what my
enemies say, my dear lady. But in
what way could this affect our friend,
Captain Lewis? He is under orders
M my Grand"
II saw him this very morning. l
took my reputation in my hands. l
followed him. l urged him, l implored
him, to stop!"
Eyes? And did he|"
Not for an instant. All, | see YOU
smile! | might have known he would
not. He said that nothing but word
from you could induce him to hesitate
for a moment"
MY dear young lady. | said to Cap
tain Lewis that no report from any
source would cause me for an instant
to doubt his loyalty to me. If anything
could shake him in his loyalty it would
be his regard for you yourself. But
IN l. ll'ASt uOlol dllu SOuI OWL
l do not fea: that such q conflict can
eve occur"
She lid not reply. After a time the
president went on gently:
"My dear. would you wish him to
come back? Would you condemn him
further to the fortunes of the damned?
And would you halt him while he is
trying to do his duty as a man and a
soldier? What benefit to you?"
She drew up proudly.
what benefit, indeed. to me? Do
you think | would ask this for N.Y.
self? No; it Was for him. 1t was for
his welfare only that l dared to come
to you. And you will not hear new
evidence?"
But now she vas speaking to Thorn
as Jefferson, the president Of the Unit
ed States, man Of affairs as we'll, man
Of firm will and clear cut decision.
Madam" said he coldly, lin this
office we do a thing but once. Had 1
condemned yonder young man to his
death, and perhaps l have, l would
not now reconsider that decision. I
would not speak so long as this over
it did l not know and love you both
yes, and grieve over you both. But
what is written is written
His giant hand fell lightly, but with,
frmness, on the desk at his side. The
inexorableness of ii great will was
present in the room as an actual thing.
Tears swan in her eyes.
You would not hear what was the
actual cause Of my wish for HIM
mo. my dear. We have made our
plans" .
There are other plans afoot these
days, MI. Jefferson
Tut, tut! Are you my enemy too?
Oh, yes, l know there are enemies
enough in wait for me and my admin
istration on every side. Yes. l know a
plan-I know Of many such. But enc
thing also l do know. madam, and it
is this: Not all the enemies on this
earth can alter me II iota in this I'M
d%ertaking on which l have sent Cap
tain Lewis. AS against that magnifi-
cent adventure there is nothing can be
offered as an offset, nothing that can
halt it for an instant. No reward to
him or me-nay, no reward to any 9TH
er human ~being-shall stop his adj
vancement in that purpose which he
shares with me. If he fails fail
with him and all my life as we'll"
She rose now, calm before the i'm
perious quality Of his nature, so unlike
his former gentleness.
You refuse, then, Mr.. jefferson?
You will not reopen this case"
II refuse nothing to you gladly, my
dear lady. But you have seen him.
You have tested him. Did he turn
back? Shall 1, his friend and his chief,
halt him at such a time? Now, that
We're the worst kindness to him in the
world. And l I'M convinced that you
and I both plan only kindness for
him."
Suddenly he saw the tears in her
eyes. At once he was back again, the
courteous gentleman,