Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-05-24

no new states can be made from it.
He says the people will pass down the
Mississippi river. but not beyond it:
that it is the natural line of our expan-
sion: that men who are actual settlers
are bound not into the unknown west,
but into the we'll known south. He
begs Of you to follow the course of
events and not to fly in the face of
Providence"
You speak we'll. Go on"
England is with us. and Spain-they
back my fathers plans"
He turned now and raised a hand.
plans? What plans? l must warn
you l am pledged to my own country's
service"
us not my father also? He is one of
the highest officers in the government
Of this country"
"You may tell me more or not. as you
like"
"There is little more to tell" said
she. 'These gentlemen have made GER
tain plans Of which 1 know little. My
father said to me that Thomas Jeffer-
SOL himself knows that this purchase
from Napoleon cannot be made under
the constitution Of the United States
that, given time for reflection, Mr.. JEFF
ferson himself will admit that the
Louisiana purchase was but a national
folly from which this country cannot
benefit. Why not turn, then. to a flu
fy11a u,hiah nFforv, oortos ,+;oc2 yNI,u ,,D+
come with us and not attempt the i'm
possible? That is what he said. And
he asked me to implore you to pause"
he sat motionless. looking straight
ahead as she went on.
"He only besought me to induce you.
If l could. either to abandon your ex-
petition wholly as soon as you honora-
bly, might do SO or to go on with it only
to such point as will prove it unfeasi-
BILE and impracticable. Not wishing
you to prove t%raitorous to a trust, these
gentlemen wish you to know that they
would value your association-that they
would give you a splendid opportunity.
With men such as these that means a
swift future of success for one-for one
whom l shall always cherish warmly
in my heart"
The color "a full in her face. He
turned toward her suddenly. his eye
clouded.
at is an extraordinary matter in
every way which you bring for me-" he
said slowly-'extraordinary that for
eigners. not friends of this country.
should call themselves the friends of
an officer sworn to the service of the
republic! l ( confess 1 do lot understand
it. And why send you?"
ut Is difficult for me to tell you. But
my father knew the antagonism be.
tween Mr.. jefferson and himself and
knew your friendship for Mr.. Jeffer-
sou. He knew also the respect, the
piry-oh. what shall l say?-which l
have always felt for you-the re.
gard
Regard! What do you mean?"
Il did not mean regard. but the-the
wish to see you succeed, to help you. If
I could, to take your place among men
| told you that but yesterday"
She was all confusion now. He seem.
ed p%itiless.
II have listened long enough to have
my curiosity aroused. l shall have
somewhat to ponder on the trail tt
the west"
"You mean that you will go on"
YES"
You do not understand
mo; I understand only that Mr.. JEFF,
ferson has never abandoned a plan OF
a promise or a friend. Shall l, then
who have been his scholar and his
friend?"
"Ah, you two! What manner of mer
are you that you will not listen to rea
son? He is high in power. Will yor
not also listen to the call Of your owl
ambition? Why. in that country be
low you might hold a station as prouC
a. that of Mr.. Jefferson himself. Will
you throw that away for the sake o.
a few dried skins and flowers? YOU
speak of being devoted to your coun
try. What is devotion? What is YOU
country? You have no heart, that
know well, but l credited you will
the brain and the ambition of a man.
He sat moticnless under the stins
Of her %reproaches, and as some refec
ton came to her upon the savagery o.
her w words she laughed bitterly.
"Think you that l would have com
here for any other man?" she demand
ed. 'Think you that 1 would ask O.
you anything to my own dishonor OF
to your dishonor? But now you do no
listen. You will not come back eve1
for mev'
In answer he simply bent and kissed
her hand, stepped from the carriage
raised his hat. Yet he hesitated fol
half an instant and turned back.
"Theodosia," said he, sit is hard fol
me not to do anything you ask Of me-
you do not know how hard-but sure
~ you understand that l am a soldier
and am under orders. l have no op
ton. 1t seems to me that the plan.
of your father and his friends should