Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-05-09
i time. An instant served him.

Very well, George" said he. IF
your parents consent you shall go with
me. Your pay will be such that you
can ve~somewhat. and trust you
will use It to complete your schooling
after your return. There will be ad-
venture and a certain honor in our
undertaking. If we come back sue
cessful am persuaded that our coun-
try will not forget u.s."
And so that matter was completed.
Strangely enough, as the future proved.
were the fortunes Of these two to in
termingle. From the first Shannon at
tached himself to his captain almost
In the capacity of personal attendant.
At last the great bateau lay ready.
launched from the docks and mOored
alongside the wharf. Fifty feet long it
was, with mast, tholes and walking
boards, for the arduous upstream work
, 1t had received part Of its cargo, and
soon all was in readiness for the start.
On the evening Of that day Lewis sat
down to pen last letter to his chief.
He wrote in the little Office room Of the
inn where he was stopping, and for
time he did not note the presence Of
young Shannon, who stood, as usual,
silent until his leader might address
him.
what Is it, GeorgeT' he asked at
length, looking up.
"Some one waiting to see you. sir.
They are in the parlor. They sent
me-
"They? Who are they?"
81 don't know. sir. She asked me to
come for you"
"She? Who is she?'
81 don't know. sir. She spoke to 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, 1t 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 l are on 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 should have been gone!"
Torment you, sir?"
you rebuke me properly. presume
| 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 I
must leave you. Why did you not wait
one day."
She made no reply. He fought for
his self control
"Mr. Jefferson, how is heT" he de-
nd Of loft hi I'm
well?"
Interchangeable as flint. You said
that only the order of your chief could
change your plans. l sought to gain
that order. Il 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 have
broken the presidents command. You
find it hard! Do you think this is not
hard for me also?"
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 Lewisr' she said sud
denly.
"What do you mean. Theodosia?
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 band.
what is it?" he 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 allow
you to hasten into the usual ruin of
man? If you 60 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 woman may make in q
mans heart have been no more to
you than any woman is to any man
the image Of dream. But. that being
so beautiful. ought to allow you to
turn it to ruin? Shall let you go
down in savagery? All, If I thought !
were relinquishing you to that, this