The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-18

1 .,ere are certain duties, even
thus"
1 Only now and again she turned
upon him the light of her splendid
eyes, searching him.
"If I should recall again, gently,
my dear Sonora, the fact that your
husband was with that particular
woman-if l should say that Mexi-
co has been found under the flag
of England. while supposed to be
under our flag-if I should add that
one Of the representatives of the
Mexican legation had been discov-
cred in handing over to England
certain secrets of this country and
of the Republic of Texas-why,
then, what answer, think you, Sen
ora, Mexico would make to me?"
But Senior Calhoun does not
mean-does not dare to say"
81 do dare it.; l do mean it!
can tell you all that Mexico plans,
and all that Texas plans. All the
secrets are out; and since we
know them, we purpose immediate
annexation of the Republic of Tex
as! Though it means war, Texas
shall be ours! This has been
forced upon us by the perfidy Of
other nations"
you seek war, Senior Secretary!
My people say that your armies
are in Texas now, or will be-"
They are but very slightly in
advance of the truth, Sonora" said
Calhoun grimly. For me, do not
believe in war when war can be
averted. But suppose it could be
averted? Suppose the Sonora Ytur-
rio could remain here STILL. in this
city which she so much admires
A lady of so distinguished beauty
and charm is valuable in our socie-
ty here"
He bowed to her with stately
grace. If there was mockery in
his tone, she could not catch it;
Eor did her searching eyes read his
meaning.
"See." he resumed, "alone, I am
helpless in this situation. If my
government is offended, l cannot
| stop the course of events. am
not the senate; l am simply an Of
ficer in our administrations very
humble officer of his excellency
our president, Mr.. Tyler"
My lady broke out in peal of
low, ripping laughter, her white
| teeth cleaning. 1t was, after ALL
somewhat difficult to trifle with
| one who had been trained in in
trigue all her life.
Calhoun laughed now In his own
quiet way. eve shall do better If
we deal entirely frankly, Sonora"
said he. LET us then waste no
time. Frankly, then, it would
seem that, now the Baroness Won
Ritz is off the scene. the Sonora
Yturrio would have all the better
title and opportunity in the affec-
tons of-well, let us say, her own
husband"
She bent toward him now, her
lips open in slow smile, all her
subtle and dangerous beauty un.
masking it's batteries. The impress
sion she conveyed was that OF
warmth and of spotted shadows
such as play upon the leopard's
back, such as mark the wing of the
butterfly. the petal of some flower
born in land of heat and passion.
But Calhoun regarded her calmly,
his finger tips together. and spoke
so deliberately as though communi-
eating with himself. 1T is but
one thing, one very little thing"
And what is that, Senor?" she
asked at length.
THE signature Of Senior Van
Zandt. attache for Texas, on this
memorandum of treaty between the
United States and Texas"
Bowling, he presented to her the
document to which he had earlier
directed my own attention. 1--WE
are well advised that Senior Van.
Zandt is trafficking this very hour
with England as against u.s." he
explained. I'VE ask the gracious
assistance of Sonora Yturrio. In re-
turn We promise her-silence!"
1T cannot--it is impossible!"
she exclaimed as she glanced at
the pages. 1T is our ruin"
mo, Sonora" said Calhoun
sternly: cit means annexation of
Texas to the United States. But
that is not your ruin. 1t is your
salvation. Your country well may
doubt England, even England bear
ing gifts"
Il have no control over Senior
Van Zandt-he is the enemy of my
country she began.
Calhoun now fixed upon her the
full cold blue blaze of his singu-
larly penetrating eyes. mo, Sen
ora he said sternly; but you
have access to my friend Mr.. Polk,
and Mr.. Polk is the friend of Mr..
Jackson, and they two are friends
of Mr.. Van Zandt; and Texas sup
poses that these two, although they
do not represent precisely my own
beliefs in politics, are for the annex
alton of Texas, not to England,
but to America. There is good
chance Mr.. Polk may be president.
Ii you do not use your personal
influence with him, he may consult
politics and not you, and so de-
clare war against Mexico. That
war would cost you Texas. and
much more as well. Now. to avert
that war, do you not think that per-
haps you can ask Mr.. Polk to- say
to Mr.. Van Zandt that his sigma
ture on this little traty would end
all such questions simply. imme-
diately. and to the best benefit
of Mexico. Texas and the United
States? Treason? Why, Sonora.
'twould be preventing treason!"
Her face was half hidden by her
fan, and her eyes, covered by their
deep lids, gave no sign of her
thoughts. The same cold voice
went on:
you might. for instance, tell
Mr.. Polk. which Is to say Mr. Van
Zandt, that If his name goes ON
this little treaty for Texas, nothing
will be said to Texas regarding his
nEOnnGnl To oil.