Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-04-19
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CHAPTER VIII.
Mr.. Calhoun Accepts.
A woman's tongue is her sword, that

The impulses of my heart, Joined 10
some prescience of trouble, bade me to
follow Elisabeth. My duty ordered me
to hasten to Mr.. Calhoun. My interest
demanded that l should tarry, for l was
sure that the Baroness Won Ritz would
make no merely Idle request in these
circumstances. HeSitatins thus, ! lost
sight of her in the throng. So l con-
cluded l would obey the mandate of
duty, and turned toward the great
doors. Indeed, l was we'll toward the
steps which led out into the grounds,
when all at once two elements of my
problem resolved themselves into one.
saw the tall figure of Mr.. Calhoun
himself coming up the walk toward
me.
All" said he briefly, then my mes
sage found you?"
81 was starting for you this moment,
sir" replied.
Wait for a moment. | counted on
finding you here. Matters have chang
ed"
turned with him and we entered
again the East Room, where Mr.. Tyler
still prolonged the official greeting Of
the curious, the obsequious or the ba-
nal persons who passed. Mr.. Calhoun
stood apart for a time, watching the
progress of this purely American func-
ton. 1t was some time ere the groups
thinned. This latter fact usually would
an1aI tba rnnnntinn since IL Is
not etiquette to suppose that the presi-
dent can lack an audience: but today
Mr.. Tyler fingered. AT last through
the thinning thrOng he caught sight OF
the distinctive figure of Mr.. Calhoun.
For the first time his own face assum-
ed a natural expression. He stopped
the line for an instant, and with rails
ed hand beckoned to my chief.
At this we dropped in at the tail Of
the line, Mr. Calhoun in passing grasp
ing almost as many hands as Mr.. Ty-
Ter. When at length we reached the
presidents position. the latter greeted
him and added a whispered word. An
instant later he turned abruptly, end
ing the reception with deep bow, and
retired into the room from which he
had earlier emerged.
Mr.. Calhoun turned now to me with
a request to follow him, and we passed
through the door where the president
had vanished. Directed by attendants,
we were presently ushered into yet an
other room, which at tnat time served
the president as his cabinet room, a
place for meeting persons of distinction
who called upon business.
AS we entered I saw that it was al
ready occupied. Mr.. Tyler was grasp
ing the hand of portly parsonage.
whom l knew to be none other than
been expected. What was not to have
been expected was the presence of an
other-none less than the Baroness Won
Ritz!
Sow were apparently to understand
that my lady was here as open friend
of England, OF course. l needed no
word from Mr. Calhoun to remind me
that we must seem ignorant of this
lady. of her character, and of her re-
puted relations with the British foreign
office
81 pray you be seated, Mr.. Paken-
ham," said Mr. Tyler and he gestured
also to us others tc take chairs near
his table. NJ" ?akenham, in rather a
lofty fashion, it seemed to me. obeyed
the polite request, but scarcely had
seated himself ere he again rose with
an important clearing of his throat.
Your Excellency." said he her Ma
iesty the Queen of Englands wish is
somewhat anticipated by my visit here
today. l hasten only to put in the most
prompt and friendly form her Majes-
tvs desires, which l am sure formally
will be expressed in the first mails from
England. We deplorc this most un-
happy accident on your warship Prince
ton. which has com" SO near working
irremediable injury to this country"
Sir" said Mr.. Tyler. rising. with a
deep bow, the courtesy of your per-
sonal presence is most gratifying. AL
low me to express that more inttmat"
and warmer feeling of friendship for
Yourself which comes through our long
association with you. This respect and
admiration are felt by myself and my
official family for you and the great
power which you represent"
Each having thus delivered himself
of words which meant nothing. both
now seated themselves and proceeded
to look mighty grave. For myself.
stole a glance from the tail of my eye
toward the Baroness Won Ritz. She sat
erect in her chair figure Of easy grace
and dignity. but on her face was moth
ing one could read to tell who she was
or why she was here.
Il seize upon this opportunity. Mr.
Pakennam." said Mr.. Tyler presently
with a smile which he meant t" st all
at ease and to soften as much as posi-
bic the severity Of that which was L
follow, Il gladly take this opportunity
to mention in an informal way my hope
that this matter which was already in
augurated by Mr.. Upshur before hi'
untimely death may come To perfectly
plcasant cunsummatiun. | refer t" the
question of Texas.
Il beg pardon, your EXcellency' re-
Joined Mr.. Pakenham, half rising
"Your meaning is not perfectly clear t
mo"
The same icy smil" sat upon Mr.. Ty-
lcr's face as ne went on: Il can not be
licyc that your government can wish t.
interfere in matters upon this continent
To- the extent of taking tn" position "i
uI"n ally Of the Republic of Mexico. {
power SO recently at war upon our owl
borders with the brave Texans Wh'
have left our flag t" set up. through
fair conquest. Il republic of their own
Th" m"ttlcd face of Mr.. Pakenhan
assumed I yet deeper red. "AS t" that
vnur Exc"ll"ncy," said he. "N"ur re-
mark is. as YOU say, quit" informal. "i
cn,,rer that is t. say. a. may
..