Part 13 (1/2)
”Plans? What plans? I ed to my own country's service”
”Is not overnment of this country”
”You may tell me more or not, as you like”
”There is little entlemen have made certain plans of which I know little My father said to me that Thomas Jefferson himself knows that this purchase from Napoleon cannot be iven time for reflection, Mr Jefferson himself will admit that the Louisiana purchase was but a national folly from which this country cannot benefit Why not turn, then, to a future which offers certainties? Why not come with us, and not attempt the impossible? That is what he said And he askedstraight ahead, as she went on
”He only besought me to induce you, if I could, either to abandon your expedition wholly as soon as you honorably o on with it only to such point as will prove it unfeasible and i you to prove traitorous to a trust, these gentlemen wish you to know that they would value your association--that they would give you splendid opportunity With men such as these, that means a swift future of success for one--for one--whom I shall always cherish warmly in my heart”
The color was full in her face He turned toward her suddenly, his eye clouded
”It is an extraordinaryfor ners, not friends of this country, should call themselves the friends of an officer sworn to the service of the republic! I confess I do not understand it And why send you?”
”It is difficult for onism between Mr Jefferson and himself, and knew your friendshi+p for Mr
Jefferson He knew also the respect, the pity--oh, what shall I say?--which I have always felt for you--the regard----”
”Regard! What do you ard, but the--the wish to see you succeed, to help you, if I could, to take your place a men I told you that but yesterday”
She was all confusion now He seeh to have my curiosity aroused I shall have somewhat to ponder--on the trail to the West”
”Then you o on?”
”Yes!”
”You do not understand----”
”No! I understand only that Mr Jefferson has never abandoned a plan or a promise or a friend Shall I, then, who have been his scholar and his friend?”
”Ah, you two! What manner of h in power Will you not also listen to the call of your own aht hold a station as proud as that of Mr Jefferson himself Will you throw that away, for the sake of a few dried skins and flowers? You speak of being devoted to your country What is devotion--what is your country? You have no heart--that I knoell; but I credited you with the brain and the a of her reproaches; and as soery of her oords, she laughed bitterly
”Think you that I would have come here for any other man?” she de to my own dishonor, or to your dishonor? But now you do not listen You will not come back--even for me!”
In answer he sie, raised his hat Yet he hesitated for half an instant and turned back
”Theodosia,” said he, ”it is hard foryou ask of me--you do not kno hard; but surely you understand that I am a soldier and am under orders I have no option It seems to me that the plans of your father and his friends should be placed at once before Mr Jefferson It is strange they sent you, a woer! You have done all that a woman could No other woman in the world could have done asfor ain
Colonel Burr's carriage returned more slowly than it had come It was a dejected occupant who at last made her way, still at an early hour, to the door of her father's house
Burr met her at the door His keen eye read the answer at once
”You have failed!” said he