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

.J am not surprised to hear all that,
nv dear lady, for you but point out
a known characteristic OF that gentle
man. He has made me many promises
which he has forgotten, and offered
me even of late distinguished honors
which he never meant me to accept.
Rut since | have been personally re-
snonsible for many of these things
which have gone forward, l wish to
make what personal amends can;
and ever I shall thank you fol the
good which you have done to this
country. Believe me. madam. you
served your own country also in no Iii
manner. This situation could not
have been prevented, and 1t is not
your fault beg you to believe that.
Had you and | been left alone there
would have been no war;
"But l am poor, have nothing"
she rejoined..
There was indeed much in her sit
uation to excite sympathy. 1t had
been through her own act that nego-
tiations between England and Texas
were broken off, All chance of Mex
leo to regain property in Texas was
lost through her influence with Van
Zandt. Now, when all was done, here
she was, deserted even by those who
had been her allies in this work.
my dear sonora said John Cal
houn, becoming less formal and more
kindly, you shall have funds sufficient
to make you comfortable at least for
time after your return to Mexico.
/ am not authorized to draw upon
our exchequer, and you, of course,
must prefer all secrecy in these mat
tiers. l regret that my personal for
tune is not SO large as 1t might be,
but, in such measure as may, l shall
assist you, because l know you need
assistance. In return, you must leave
this country. The flag is down which
once hoated over the house OF Mexico
here"
She hid her face behind her fan,
and Calhoun turned aside.
Sonora have you ever seen this
slipper" he asked, suddenly placing
upon the table the little shoe which
for a purpose had brought with me,
and meantime thrown upon the table
She flashed a dark look, and did not
speak.
lone night, some time ago, your
husband pursued lady across this
town to get possession of that very
slipper and its contents! There was
In the toe of that little shoe mes
sage. AS you know, we got from it
certain information, and therefore de-
vised certain plans, which you have
helped us to carry out. Now, as per-
haps you have had some personal ami
mus against the other lady in these
same complicated affairs, have taken
the liberty of sending a special mes
senger to ask her presence here this
morning. l should like you two to
meet, and, if that be possible, to part
with such friendship as may exist in
the premises"
looked suddenly at Mr.. Calhoun
It seemed he was planning without
my aid.
Yes" he said to me, smiling, II
have neglected to mention to you that
the Baroness Won Ritz also is here, in
another apartment of this place. If
you please, l shall now send for her
also"
He signaled to his old negro at
tendant Presently the latter opened
the door, and with a deep bow an
nounced the Baroness Won Ritz, who
entered, followed closely by Mr.. Cal
houn's inseparable friend old DR..
Ward.
The difference in breeding between
these two women was to be seen at a
glance. The Dona Lucrezia was beau
tiful in a way, but lacked the thor
oughbred quality which comes in the
highest types of womanhood. Aff1ict-
ed by nothing but somewhat mer-
cenary or personal 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 debonair as though
she had never been anything but
wholly content with life She was
robed now in some light filmy green
material, caught up here and there on
the shoulders and secured with silk
en- knots. Her white neck showed,
her arms were partly bare with the
short sleeves of the time She stood,
composed and easy. figure fit for any
company or any court, and somewhat
shaming our little assembly, which
never was court at all, only a pri-
yate meeting in the office of a dis
credited and disowned leader in a re-
publican government Her costume
and her bearing were Helena Won
Ritz's answer to a woman's fate, A
deep color famed in her cheeks. She
stood with head erect and lips smiling
brilliantly. Her curtsey was grace
itself. Our dingy little Office was
glorified.
81 interrupt you, gentlemen" she be-
gan.
ION the contrary, I am sure, my
dear lady" said DR.. Ward, Senator
Calhoun told me he wished you to
meet Sonora Yturrio"
Eyes" resumed Calhoun, 81 was just
speaking with this lady over some
matters concerned with this littlA -H-