The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-15
(Continued.)

soberly. II have asked no special
privilege, at least. Now, if it af-
lords you any pleasure, l beg you,
l implore you, to tell me what you
meant"
Did you credit the attache of
Mexico with being nothing more
than drunken rowdy, to follow me
across town with little shoe in
his carriage?"
But you said he was in wine"
True. But would that he a rea-
son? Continually you show your
lack of brain in accepting as con-
elusive results which could not
possibly have occurred. Granted
he was in wine, granted he follow
ed me, granted he had my shoe in
his pOssessiOn-what then? Does
1t follow that at the ball at the
White House he could have re-
moved that shoe? Does Monsieur
think that |, too, was in wine?"
81 agree that / have no brain.
I cannot guess what you mean.
can only beg once more that you
explain"
Nov, listen. In your most
youthful and charming innocence |
presume you do not know much
of the capabilities for concealment
offered by lady's apparel. Now,
suppose | had message-where
do you think could hide it? Grant
ed, of course, the conditions OBJ
tanning at a ball in the White
House?"
"Then you did have a message?
1t came to you there, at that
time?"
She nodded. Certainly. Mr..
Van Zandt had almost no other
opportunity to meet me or get
word to me-"
Van Zandt! Madam, are you
indeed in the camp of all these diff
ferent interests? So, what Paken-
ham said was true. Van Zandt is
the attache of Texas. Van Zandt
Is pleading with Mr. Calhoun that
he shall take up the secretaryship.
Van Zandt promises us the friend
ship of Texas If we will stand out
for the annexation of Texas. Van
Zandt promises us every effort in
his power against nEgland. Van
Iandt promises us the sternest of
fronts against treacherous Mexi-
co. Van Zandt is known to be in
terested in this fair Dona Lucrezia,
just as Polk is. Now, then. comes
Van Zandt with his secret mes
sage slipped into the hand of
Madam at the ambassadors ball
Madam, the friend of England!
The attache of Mexico is curious
furious--to know what Texas is
saying to England. And that mes
sage must be concealed. And
Madam conceal it in"
She smiled at me brilliantly.
you come on" she said Should
your head be opened and anazlyed
yes, | think trace of brain might
be discovered by good chemistry"
resumed impatiently. You put
his message in your slipper"
She nodded YES" she said, Gin
the toe of it. There was barely
chance to do that. You see, our
skirts are full and wide; there are
curtains in the East room; there
was wine by this time; there was
music; so | effected that much.
But when you took the slipper,
you took Van Zandt's note! You
had it. 1t was true, what l told
Pakenham before the president
| did not then have that note! You
had it. At least. l thought you had
1t. till found it crumpled on the
table the next day! 1t must have
fallen there from the shoe when
we made our little exchange that
night. All, you hurried me.
scarce knew whether l was clad or
shOd, until the next afternoon
after left you at the White House
grounds. So you hastily departed
to your wedding?"
80 small shoe could not
have held an extended epistle,
Madam said, ignoring her ques-
ton.
mo. but the little roll of paper
caused me anguish. After l had
danced | was on the point of faint
ing. | fastened to the cover of the
nearest curtain, where l might not
be noticed. Senior Ytuurrio of
Mexico was somewhat vigilant. He
wished to know what Texas
planned with England. He tcs
long made love to me-by threats
and jewels. AS stood behind the
curtain | saw his face; fled; but
one shoe-the empty one--was not
well fastened and 1t fell l could
not walk. / reached down, re.
moved the other shoe with it's
note. hid 1t in my handkerchief
thank Providence for the fashion
of 50 much lace---and so, not in
wine. Monsieur, as you may be-
lieve. and somewhat anxious, as
you may also believe. expecting to
hear at once of an encounter be-
tween Van Zandt and the Mexican
minister. Senior Almonte, or his at
tche Yturrio, or between one of
them and some one else, / made
my adieux-I will warrant the only
woman in her stocking feet who
bowed for Mr.. Tyler at the ball
that night"
Eyes. so far as / know, Madam,
you are the only lady who ever left
the East room precisely so clad.
And so you got into your own car.
riage-alone-after a while? And
so. when you were there you put
on the shoe which was left? And
so Yturrio of Mexico got the other
onc--and found nothing in it! And
so, he wanted this one!"
You come on" she said. "You
have something more than a trace
Of brain"
"And that other shoe, which l got
that night?"
Without word she snoothed out
a bit of paper which she removed
from nearby desk. and handed 1t
to me. This was In yours! AS |