Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-04-18

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, hear?"
He still paced the floor until he heard
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 loose pegnoir
caught up and thrown above her night
garments
what is it, father-are you ill?"
Far froll it, my child" said he turn
ing, with head erect. II am alive,
well and happier than l 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 it 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 real ambition. This dirty
village here is too narrow field for
talents like yours or mine. Let me tell
you. Napoleon has played great jest
with Mr.. Jefferson. There is nothing
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 Mr.. Lewis
must fail-it must surely fall of it's
own weight. 1t is based upon an alb
surdity. Not even Mr.. 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 countfys organic
ing for better government. AS these
states on the east confederated in the
cause against oppression. so can those
yonder. 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. 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-five hun
dred dollars! Which, enterprise. think
you, will win?
"But. on the other hand If that eX-
petition Of Mr.. Jefferson's should sue
coed by virtue OF accident or OF good
leadership. all my plans must fail
that Is plain. 1t comes. therefore. to
this. Thee. and may tell you plainly
Captain Lewis must be seen-he
must be stopped-we must hold con-
ference with him.. 1t 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
is-you!"
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 ip yonder new gov
eminent. Power, place-these are the
things that strong men covet. I plan
for myself some greater Office than sec
ond fiddle i'll this tawdry republic along
the Atlantic. | want the first place
and in greater field. will take my
friends with me. want men who can
lead other men. want men like Cap
tain Lewis"
1T seems that you value him more
low than once you did"
Eyes, that Is true. Theo; that is true.
I did not favor his suit for your hand