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

Is tnat answer worth more imam
Van Zandt?" l smiled.
eyes," she answered, also smiling.
l spread the page upon the cloth
before me; my eyes raced down
the lines. l did not make further
reply to her.
Madam" went on the communi-
cation, "say to your august friend
Sir Richard that we have reached
the end of our endurance of these
late delays. The promises of the
United States mean nothing. We
can trust neither Wing nor Demo
crat any longer. There is no one
party in power, nor will there be.
There are two sections in America
and there is no nation, and Texas
knows not where to go. We have
offered to Mr.. Tyler to join the
Union if the Union will allow us to
join. We intend to reserve our own
lands and reserve the right to Or
ganize later into four or more
states, If our people shall so desire.
But as great state we will join
the Union if the Union will accept
us. That must be seen.
England now beseeches us not
to enter the Union, but to stand
apart, either for independence or
for alliance with Mexico and Eng
land. The proposition has been
made to us to divide into two gov
ernments, one free and one slave.
England has proposed to us to
advance us money and to pay all
our debts if we will agree to this.
Settled by bold men from our moth
er country. the republic, Texas has
been averse to this. But now our
own mother repudiates us, not once
but many times. We get no decis-
ion. This, then, dear Madam, is
from Texas to England by your
hand, and we know you will carry
it safe and secret. We shall accept
this proposal of England, and avail
ourselves of the richness of her
generosity.
''If within thirty days action is
not taken in Washington for the an
nexation of Texas, Texas will never
in the history of the world be one
of the United States. Moreover, If
the United States shall lose Texas,
also they lose Oregon, and all of
Oregon. Carry this news-I am
persuaded that it will be welcome
to that gentleman whose ear l
know you have; and believe me al
ways. my dear Madam, with respect
and admiration, yours, for the State
Of Texas. Van Zandt."
| drew deep breath as | saw
his proof of double play on the part
OF this representative of the repub-
lie of the southwest "They are
traitors" exclaimed. But there
must be action-something must be
done at once. must not wait;
must go. l must take this, at
least, to Mr.. Calhoun"
She laughed now, joyously clap
ping her white hands together.
Good" she said you are a man,
after all, You may yet grow
brain"
Have l been fair with you thus
far?" she asked at length.
More than fair. / could not have
asked this of you. In an hour
have learned the news of years.
But will you not also tell me what
is the news from Chateau Rame-
gay? Then. indeed. could go
home feeling l had done very much
for my chief"
Monsieur. l can not do so. You
will not tell me that other news"
"Of what"
"Of your nuptials."
Madam, l can not do so. But
for you. much as l owe you, l
would like to wiring your neck. |
would like to take your arms in my
hands and crush them, until"
Until WHAT" Her face was
strange. saw a hand raised to her
throat
Until you told me about Ore
gon," said I.
| saw her arms move-just one
instant-her body incline. She
gazed at me steadily, somberly.
Then her hands fell.
"Ah, God. how have you both"
she said; you and her. You were
married. after all! Yes. 1t can be.
1t can be! A woman may love one
man--even though he could give
her only a bed of husks! And
man may love woman, too-one
woman! l had not known"
Monster, adieu!" she added
Witty. bent and kissed her hand.
Madam, au revoir!"
mo. adieu! Got"