than
ever. That is my sin; so I must go away. This must be our last
meeting--I am fortunate that it came by chance today."

"Going away--where, then, my friend?"

"Into the West. It always has called me. Ah, if only I had remained in
the Indian country yonder, where I belonged, and never made my ride to
New York--to learn that I had come too late! But the West still is
there--the wilderness still exists to welcome such as me!"

"But you will--you will come back again?"

"It is in the lap of the gods. I do not know or care. But my plans are
all arranged. Mr. Jefferson and I have agreed that it is almost time
to start. You see, Theodosia, I am now back from my schooling. You
behold in me, madam, a scientist! At least I am competent to read by
the sun and stars, can reckon longitude and latitude--as one must, to
journey into the desert yonder. If only I dared orient my soul as
well!"

"You would never doubt my faith in my husband."

"No! Of course, you love your husband. I could not look at you a
second time if you did not."

"You are a good man, Meriwether Lewis!"

"Do not say it! I am a man accursed of evil passions--the most unhappy
of all men. There is nothing else, I say, in all the world that I fear
but my love for you. Tell me it will not last--tell me it will
change--tell me that I shall forget! I should not believe you--but
tell me that. Does a man never forget? Success--for others;
happiness--for someone else. My mother said that was to be my fate.
What did she mean?"

"She meant, Meriwether Lewis, that you were a great man, a great
soul! Only a man of noble soul could speak as you have spoken to me.
We women, in our souls, love something noble and good and strong. Then
we imagine someone like that. We believe, or try to believe, or say
that we believe; but always----"

"And a woman may divide not love, only love of love itself?"

"I shall love your future, and shall watch it always," she replied,
coloring. "You will be a great man, and there will be a great place
for you."

"And what then?"

"Do not ask what then. You ask if men never change. Alas, they do, all
too frequently! Do not deny the imperious way of nature.
Only--remember me as long as you can, Meriwether Lewis."

She spoke softly, and the color of her cheek, still rising, told of
her self-reproof.

He turned suddenly at this, a wonderfully sweet smile now upon his
face.

"As long as I can?"

"Yes. Let your own mind run on the