Chapter 17
The Invitation

Inside, my knees went weak, and a lump shot up from somewhere down in my stomach up to my throat. Flushed from the exercise of the ride, I knew my face went immediately pale. A faintness swept over me, even as Pa jumped up the moment he saw me come in.

“Look who’s here from San Francisco, Corrie!” he said.

I hardly needed Pa to point it out to me! Even in my state of perturbation, I knew well enough who it was!

I took his hand, feeling a slight tremble go through me at the touch, and said, “Mr. Burton . . . but I don’t understand . . . what are you doing here?” Never had my voice sounded so high and squeaky! And I had never sounded so stupid in all my life.

He laughed. “I know it must come as a surprise, and I apologize for coming all this way to see you without warning.”

“Don’t say another word about it,” Pa said boisterously. “You’re welcome anytime, with or without warning. Out this far from the city we don’t stand too much on ceremony.”

As Pa was responding to Mr. Burton’s apology, I immediately decided that he had come to see Pa. It must have something to do with them wanting him to run for the legislature in Sacramento.

“So are you going to do it, Pa?” I said, turning to him.

“Do what?”

“Run for the legislature.”

“What are you talking about, Corrie Belle? What’s me running for office got to do with anything?”

“Isn’t that what you two were talking about?”

“I don’t know where you got a notion like that,” laughed Pa. “We were just sitting here passing the time till you got back.”

The blank look of confusion on my face must have been more humorous than I intended it to be because both men laughed.

“I’m sorry,” said Mr. Burton. “I was speaking to you a moment ago, not your father. It’s you I came all this way to see.”

My heart fluttered all over again! “Me?” I squeaked. “What would you want to see me for?”

Pa laughed again. He was really enjoying my discomfort! “Corrie, you just go get yourself a drink of water, then come and sit down with us. Cal here’s got to talk to you.”

I did as Pa said, and a minute or two later the three of us were seated.

I glanced from one to the other of them. Mr. Burton spoke first.

“What I came for, Corrie,” he said, “was to ask you again, on behalf of Mr. Dalton in San Francisco, if you would consider helping us with the Lincoln campaign.”

I stared back blankly at him.

“I have been thinking about it,” I said finally. “But I just hadn’t decided yet what I ought to do.”

“Mr. Dalton thought you might not have taken his words seriously before, and felt a personal visit from me might persuade you. Let me assure you, he was quite serious. He . . . we all, that is, would very much like you to be part of the Republican campaign team.”

The color began coming back into my cheeks. I didn’t know what to think!

“What . . . what would I do?”

“We were sure you’d ask that. I’ve already spoken to your editor, Mr. Kemble, about your writing a couple articles in favor of Mr. Lincoln from a woman’s point of view. Then we would like to include you among the speakers at a public assembly to be held in Sacramento four days from now. A woman has never addressed such a gathering, in this campaign at least, and Mr. Dalton feels you could have a great influence. My instructions were to convince you to say yes, and to bring you back to Sacramento with me.”

I sat staring, trying to take in his words.

“Don’t just sit there, Corrie,” Pa said finally. “The man’s talking to you.”

“I . . . I don’t know what to say,” I stammered.

“Say the only thing you can say, Corrie,” said Mr. Burton. “I was instructed not to take no for an answer. The Republican party will pay your coach fare and put you up in a nice hotel. The trip won’t cost you a cent.”

“Well, I have been praying about what to do.”

“And do you have reservations?”

“No, not exactly.”

“Then it’s all settled.”

“I’ll have to talk to my mother and father,” I said.

“Of course. I understand.” He rose and shook Pa’s hand. “I’m going to ride back into town. I’m supposed to see the banker Royce for Carl, and I’ll be at the boardinghouse if you should need me. Otherwise, perhaps I’ll drop back by later this afternoon.”

“And join us for supper,” suggested Pa.

“But, your wife. . . ?” hesitated Mr. Burton.

“My wife will be delighted when I tell her,” insisted Pa. “Now it’s my turn not to take no for an answer!”

They both laughed, and it was agreed.