The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1910-07-28

this country perhaps something of a
favor. Your assistant, Mr.. Trist, has
done me in turn favor. This much
/ will ask permission to do for him."
Calhoun's long and trembling fin
gers were nervously opening the doc
ument. He turned to her with eyes
blazing with eagerness. 1T is Ore
gon!" He dropped back into his chair.
eyes" said Helena Won Ritz slowly.
cit is Oregon. 1t is bought and paid
for. 1t is yours!"
So now they all went over that doc
! ument, signed by none less than
Pakenham himself minister plenipo-
Tertiary for Great Britain. That docu-
ment exists to-day somewhere in our
archives, but do not feel empowered
, to make known it's full text. would
l had never need to set down, as l
have, the cost of it. These others
never knew that cost, and now they
never can know, for long years since
both Calhoun and DR.. Ward have been
dead and gone. I turned aside as
they examined the document which
within the next few weeks was to be-
come public property. The red waters
which mended it-and which she
smilingly explained at Calhoun's de-
mand-were, as knew, not less than
red drops of blood.
! In brief, l may say that this paper
! stated that, in case the United States
| felt disposed to reopen discussions
which Mr.. Polk peremptorily had
! closed, Great Britain might be able to
! listen to a compromise on the line of
! the forty-ninth parallel. This compro-
mise had three times been offered her
by diplomacy of United States under
earlier administrations. Great Brit
ain stated that in view of her deep
and abiding love for peace and her
deep and abiding admiration for
! America, she would resign her claim
of all of Oregon down to the Column
bia; and more, she would accept the
forty-ninth parallel; provided she
might have free navigation rights
upon the Columbia. IL fact, this was
precisely the memorandum of agree
ment which eventually established
the lines of the treaty as to Oregon
between Great Britain and the United
States.
Mr.. Calhoun is commonly credited
with having brought about this treaty,
and with having been author of its
terms. So he was, but only in the
singular way which in these foregoing
pages l have related. States have
their price. Texas was bought by
blood. Oregon-ah, we who own ii
ought to prize it. None of our country
is half SO full of romance, none of ii
is half SO clean, as our great and
bodeful far. northwest, still young in
its days of destiny
I'VE should in time have had all OF
Oregon, perhaps" said Mr.. Calhoun
"at least, that is the talk of these
fierce politicians.
But for this fresh outbreak on the
southwest there would have been a
better chance" said Helena Won Ritz
but | think, as matters are to-day
you would be wise to accept this com
promise. I have seen your men
marching, thousands of them, the
other. They give full base for this
compromise. Given another year, and
your rifles and your plows would
make your claims still better. But
this is to-day
Believe me, Mr. Calhoun" l broke
in, your signature must go on this
How now? Why SO anxious, my
SOM"
Because it is right"
Calhoun turned to Helena Won Ritz
HAS this been presented to Mr.. Blu
chanan, our secretary of state?" he
asked
Certainly not. 1t has been show1
to no one. have been here in Wash
ington working-well, working in Sc
cret to secure this document for you
l do this-well, will be frank with
you'll do this for Mr. Trist. He is my
friend. l wish to say to you that he
has been-a faithful"
I saw her face whiten and her lips
shut tight. She swayed a little a:
she stood. DR.. Ward was at her side
and assisted her to a couch. For the
first time the splendid courage OF
Helena Won Ritz seemed to fail her
She sank back, white, unconscious.
IT'S these damned stays, John!" be
gan DR.. Ward fiercely. "She has faint
ed. Here, put her down, so. Wei
bring her around in a minute. Great
Jove! I want her to hear us thanh
her. It's splendid work she has done
for us. But why?"
When, presently, under the ministra
lions of the old physician. Helena
Won Ritz recovered her consciousness
she arose, fighting desperately to pull
herself together and get back hel
splendid courage
Would you retire now, madam %
asked Mr. Calhoun. II have sent fol
my daughter"
mo. no. It is nothing!" she said
Forgive me; It is only an old habit
of mine. See, am quite Welt"
Indeed, in few moments she had
regained something of that magnifi
cent energy which was her heritage
AS though nothing had happened, she
arose and walked swiftly across the
room. Her eyes were fixed upon the
great map which hung upon the walls