hesitated now but a moment, therefore, when old Henry, his
faithful black, threw open the door and stated simply that there was
"a lady wantin' to see Mistah Jeffahson."

"Who is she, Henry?" inquired the President of the United States
mildly. "I am somewhat busy today."

"'Tain't no diff'rence, she say--she sho'ly want see Mistah
Jeffahson."

The tired old man smiled and shrugged his shoulders. A moment later
the persistent caller was ushered into the office of the nation's
chief executive. He rose courteously to meet her.

It was Theodosia Alston, whom he had known from her childhood. Mr.
Jefferson greeted her with his hand outstretched, and, her arm still
in his, led her to a seat.

"My dear," said he, "you will pardon our confusion here, I am sure.
There are many matters----"

"I know it is an intrusion, Mr. Jefferson," began Theodosia Alston
again, her face flushing swiftly. "But you are so good, so kind, so
great in your patience that we all take advantage of you. And yet you
are so tired," she added impulsively, as she caught sight of his
haggard face.

"I was not so fortunate as to find time for sleep last night." He
smiled again with humorous, half twisted mouth.

"Nor was I."

"Tut, tut! No, no, my dear, that sort of thing will not do." He looked
at her in silence for some time. "Perhaps, my dear," said he at last,
"you come regarding Captain Lewis?"

"How did you know?" she exclaimed, startled.

"Why should I not know?" He pushed his chair so close that he might
lay a hand upon her arm. "Listen, Theo, my child. I am an old man, and
I am your friend, and his also. I had need to be very blind had I not
known long ago what I did know. I am, perhaps, the only confidant of
Captain Lewis, and I repose in him confidences that I would venture to
no other man; but he is not the sort to speak of such matters. It is
only by virtue of exceptional circumstances, my dear, that I know the
story of you two."

She was looking straight into his face, her eyes mournful.

"I was glad to send him away, sorely as I miss him. But then, you
said, you come to me about him?"

"Yes, after he is gone--knowing all that you say--because I trust your
great kindness and your chivalry. I come to ask you to call him back!
Oh, Mr. Jefferson, were it any other man in the world but yourself I
had not dared come here; but you know my story and his. It is your
right to believe that he and I were--that is to say, we might have