Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1917-05-17

ing, with head erect. II am alive,
well and happier than I have been for
months-years. 1 need you-come, sit
here and listen to me-"
He caught her to him with a swift,
p%aternal embrace-he loved no mortal
being as he did his daughter-then
pushed her tcnderly 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
ne 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 a 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 a great jest
with Mr.. Jefferson. There is nothing
in the constitution of the United States
Il 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 setti,sl by
the subjects Of another government.
Hence the expedition of MIR. Lewis
must fail-it must surely fall of its
w weight. 1t is basel upon an alb
surditN. Not Y MI. 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 organic
ing for Il better government. AS these
states on the east c~onfederated 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 bcard-men like Cap
tain Lewis, for instance. Should one
ally ones self with a ~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
rhimerical expedition. twenty-five hun
dred dollars. Which enterprise. think
you, will win?
"But. Oh the other hand, if that en-
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. Thco. and | may tell you plainly
Captain Lewis must be seen-he
must he stopped-we must hold a con-
ference with him. 1t would be useless
for me to undertake to arrange all that.
There is only one person who a save
your fathers future, and that one. my
daughter, 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 in 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. l want the first place
and in a greater field. | will take my
friends with me. I want men who can
lead other men. l want men like Cap
tain Lewis"
ut seems that you value him more
now than nee you did"
Yes, that is true, Thee; that is true.
I did not favor his suit for your hand
at that time. Although he had a mod
est fortune in Virginia lands, he could
not offer you the future assured by
frankly-when 1 learned that young
Captain Lewis came just too late, for l
feared you would have preferred him.
And yet l saw his quality then. MI.
Jefferson sees it. He is a good chooser
Of men. But Captain Lewis must not
advance beyond the Ohio. That is a
large task for a woman"
What woman, father?"
A flush came to her pale cheek. Her
father turned to her directly, his own
piercing gaze atlame.
There is but one woman on earth
could do that, my daughter! That
young mans fate was settled when he
looked on that woman-when he looked
on you"
She swiftly turned her head aside,
not answering.
"Am I so engaged in affairs that l
cannot see the obvious, my dear?" went
on the vibrant voice. Had I no eyes
for what went on at my side this very
evening at Mr.. Jefferson's dinner ta-
BILE? Could I fail to observe his look to
you-and, yes, am I not sensible to
what your eyes said to him in reply?"
do you believe that of me-and
you my father?"
II believe nothing dishonorable of
you, my DEAR" said Burr. Neither
could I ask anything dishonorable. But
I know what young blood will do. Your
eyes said no more than that for me.
I know you wish him well-know you
wish well for his ambition, his success
am sure you do not wish to see him