The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-01-08
(Continued.)

She was off on the instant into
the alcove where the great amber
covered bed stood. She drew the
curtains. l heard her humming to
herself as she passed to and fro.
saw the flare of a light as it rose
beyond. Once or twice she thrust
laughing face between the cur
tains, held tight together with her
hands, as she asked me some ques-
tons, hooking me, still amused
yet still, as l thought, more enig-
matte than before.
Madam" l said at last, 81
would l might dwell here for ever,
but--you are slow! The night
passes. Come. My master will be
waiting. He is ILL; l fear he can
not slep. l know how intent he is
on meeting you. l beg you to
oblige an old, dying mani"
And you, Monsieur" she mock
ed at me from beyond the curtain,
ARE intent only on getting rid of
me. Are you not adventurer
enough to forget that other woman
LOT one night!
AT last she came out from be-
tween the curtains, CARRIED more
suitably for the errand which was
now before us. A long dark cloak
covered her shoulders. On her
head there rested dainty up
flared bonnet, whose jetted edges
shone in the candle light as she
moved toward me. She was ex-
quisite in every detail, beautiful as
mind of man could wish; that
much was sure, must be admitted
by any man. l dared not look at
her.
She paused for an instant, draw
ing on pair of the short gloves Of
the mode then correct. do you
know why am 10 go on this heath
en- errand?" she demanded. l
shook my head.
"Mr. Calhoun wishes to know
whether he shall go to the cabinet
of your man Tyler over there in
that barn you call your White
House. | suppose Mr.. Calhoun
wishes to know how he can serve
Mr.. Tyler?"
laughed at this. Serve him."
| exclaimed. Rather say lead
him. tell him, command HIM"
"Yes," she nodded. l began to
see another and graver side of her
nature. "Yes, it is of course
Texas"
did not see fit to make answer
to this.
"If your master, as you call him,
takes the portfolio with Tyler. it is
to annex Texas" she repeated
sharply. rs not that true?"
Still would not answer.
Come" | said.
"And he asks me to come to him
so that he may decide"
This awoke me. mo man de-
cides for John Calhoun, Madam"
said. You may advance facts,
but he will decide" Still she went
on.
"And Texas not annexed is a
menace. Without her, you heather
people would not present a solid
front, would your"
Madam has had much to do
with affairs of state" | said.
She went on as though l had
not spoken:
And if you were divided in your
southern section. England would
have all the greater chance. Eng
land, you know, says she wishes
slavery abolished. She says
that"
England says many things." l
ventured.
"The hypocrite of the nations!"
flashed out this singular woman at
me suddenly. "As though diplo-
macy need be hypocrisy! Thus, to.
night Sir Richard of England for
gets his place, his protestations.
He does not even know that Mex
leo has forgotten its duty also. Sir,
you were not at our little ball, so
you could not see that very fat Sir
Richard paying his bored devoirs
to Dona Lucrezia! So | am left
alone, and would be bored, but for
you. In return--a slight jest on
Sir Richard tonight will teach
him that no fat gentleman should
pay even bored attentions to a lady
who soon will be fat, when his OBJ
vious duty should call him other.
wise! Bah! tbs as though | my
self were fat; which is not true"
ssXOu on fnn dnan For MN MN