The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-31

opened the door, and with a deep
bow announced the Baroness Won
Ritz, who entered, followed closely
by Mr.. Calhoun's inseparable friend,
old DR.. Ward.
The difference in breeding be-
tween these two women was to be
seen at a glance. The Dona Lu-
crezia was beautiful in a way, but
lacked the thoroughbred quality
which comes in the highest types Of
womanhood. Afflicted by nothing
but somewhat mercenary or per-
sonal grief, she showed her lack of
gameness in adversely. On the
other hand, Helena Won Ritz, who
had lived tragedy all her life, and
was now in the climax Of such
tragedy, was smiling and debonaire
as though she had never been any.
thing but wholly content with life!
She was robed now in some light
filmy green material, caught ur
here and there on the shoulders
and secured with silken knots. Hel
white neck showed, her arms were
partly bare with the short sleeves
of the time. She stood, composed
and easy, a figure fit for any com
Dany or any court, and somewhat
Shaming our little assembly, which
never was a court at all. only pri
yate meeting in the office of dis
credited and disowned leader in a
republican government. Her cos
tune and her bearing were Helena
Won Ritzs answer to a woman's
fate! A deep color famed her
cheeks. She stood with head erect
and lips smiling brilliantly. Her
curtesy was grace itself. Our
dingy little office was glorified.
81 interrupt you, gentlemen" she
began.
"On the contrary, am sure, my
lear lady," said DR.. Ward. "Sena'
'or Calhoun told me he wished you
10 meet Sonora Yturrio."
yes resumed Calhoun, II was
lust speaking with this lady over
some matters concerned with this
little slipper" He smiled as he
held it up gingerly between thumb
md finger. "Do you recognize it,
Madam Baroness?"
"Ah. my little shoe!" she eX'
claimed. But see. it has not been
we'll cared for"
at travelled in my war bag
from Oregon to Washington" said
T. perhaps bullet molds and pow
Ter TASKS may have damaged it,"
'It still would serve as little
oostoffice, perhaps laughed the
baroness. "But l think it's days are
lone on such errands."
Il will explain something OF
these errands to the Sonora
Yturrio," said Calhoun. 81 wish
you personally to say to that lady,
if you will, that Senior Yturrio re-
yarded this little receptacle rath-
,r as official than personal post"
For one moment these two wom-
IN looked at each other, with that
On their faces which would be
hard to describe. At last the
baroness spoke:
at is not wholly my fault,
Sonora Yturrio, if your husband
gave you cause to think there was
more than diplomacy between us.
At least, can say to you that 1t
vas the sport of it alone, the in
.rigue, if you please, which inter
,sted me. trust you will not &C
cuse me beyond this
A stifled exclamation came from
he Dona LucreZia. | have never
seen more sadness nor yet more
hatred on a human face than hers
displayed. | have said that she
was not thoroughbred. She arose
now, proud as ever, it is true, but
vicious. She declined Helena Won
Ritz's outstretched hand. and
swept us a curtsey, "Adois!' said
She. 81 co."
Mr.. Calhoun gravely offered her
IN arm; and so with a rustic OF
Ter silks there passed from our
ives one unhappy lady who helped
o make our map for us.
The baroness herself turned. 81
ought not to remain" she hes
itated.
Madam" said Mrs. Calhoun,
we can not spare you yet"
She flashed upon him keen
ook. ut is young country said
she, but it raises statesmen. You
oolish, dear Americans. One could
nave loved you all"
"Eh. WHAT said Dr. Ward,
turning to her. "My dear lady. two
of us are too old for that; and as
for the other"
He did not know how hard this
chance remark might smite. but
rs usual Helena Won k,lz Was
brave and smiling.
you are men," said she, such
rs we do not have in our courts OF
Europe. Men and womrn-that
what this country produces"
MADAM" said Calhoun,I my
self am very poor sort OF man.
{ am old. and | fail from month to
month. | cannot live long, at best.
What you see in me is simply a
)urpose-a purpose to accomplish
something for my country-a pur-
pose which my country itself does
not desire to see fulfilled. Repub-
lies do not reward us. What you
say shall be our chief reward.
have asked you here also TO ac-
cept the thanks of all of us who
know the intricacies OF the events
which have gone forward. Madam,
we owe you Texas, Twas not
yonder lady. but yourself, who first
of the danger that threat
ened us. Hers was, after all, a
simpler task than yours, because
she only matched faiths with Van
Zandt, representative of Texas,
who had faith in neither men,
women nor nations. Had all gone
well, we might perhaps have owed
you yet more, for Oregon"
Would you like Oregon?" she
asked, looking at him with the
full glance of her dark eyes.
More than my life! More than
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