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

came just in time to see what was
glad to see; that is to say, the keep
ing of John Calhoun's promise to
Helena Won Ritz.
1t was not to be denied that there
had been talk regarding this lady.
apd that Calhoun knew it, though not
from me. Much of it was idle talk.
based largely upon her mysterious life.
Beyond that, woman beautiful as
she has many enemies among her sex.
There were dark glances for her that
night, I do not deny, before Mr.. Cal
houn changed them. For, however
John Calhoun was rated by his enc
mics, the worst of these knew well
his austerely spotless private life, and
his scrupulous concern for decorum.
Beautiful she surely was. Her ball
gown was of light golden stuff, and
there was a coral wreath upon her
hair, and her dancing slippers were
of coral hue. There was no more stri-
king figure upon the floor than she.
Jewels blazed at her throat and caught
here and there the filmy folds of her
gown She was radiant, beautiful, ap-
parently happy. She came mysterious
ly enough; but 1 knew that Mr. Cal
houn's carriage had been sent for her.
I learned also that he had waited for
her arrival
! AS first saw Helena Won Ritz there
stood by her side DR.. Samuel Ward,
his square and stocky figure not I'M
dignified in his dancing dress, the stiff
gray name of his hair waggling after
it's custom as he spoke emphatically
over something with her. A gruff
man, DR.. Ward, but under his gray
name there was clear BRAIN and
in his broad breast there beat large
and kindly heart.
Even as began to edge my way to-
ward these two, I saw Mr. Calhoun
himself approach, tall, gray and thin.
He was very pale that night; and
knew we'll enough what effort it cost
him to attend any of these functions.
Yet he bowed with the grace of a
younger man and offered the baroness
an arm. Then, methinks. al Washing
ton gaspeo bit Got all Washington
knew what had gone forward between
these two. Not all Washington knew
what that couple meant as they
marched in the grand procession that
pight-what they meant for America.
OF all those who saw, l alone under
stood. -s-~zs~ 49, zsAs sssss.a1
! So they danced; he with the dig.
nifty of his years, she with the grace
which was the perfection of dancing,
the perfection of courtesy and of dig
nifty also, as though she knew and
valued to the full what was offered to
her now by John Calhoun. Grave.
sweet and sad Helena Won Ritz
seemed to me that night. She was
wholly unconscious of those who
looked and whispered. Her face was
pale and rapt as that of some devotee.
Mr.. Polk himself stood apart, and
plainly enough saw tais little matter
go forward. When Mr.. Calhoun ap-
preached with the Baroness Won Ritz
upon his arm, Mr.. Polk was too much
politician to hesitate or to inquire. He
knew that it was safe to follow where
John Calhoun led! These two con-
versed for few moments. Thus,
fancy, Helena Won Ritz had her first
and last acquaintance with one of our
politicians to whom fate gave far
more than his deserts. 1t was the
fortune of Mr.. Polk to gain for this
country Texas, California and Oregon
not one of them by desert of his
own! My heart has often been bit
ter when | have recalled that little
I ~
not always have a John Calhoun, a
Helena Won Ritz, to correct, guard and
guide.
After this the card of Helena vor
Ritz might we'll enough indeed been
full had she cared further to dance
She excused herself gracefully, say
ing that after the honor which had
been done her she could not ask more.
Still, Washington buzzed; somewhat
of Europe as well. That might have
been called the triumph of Helena Won
Ritz. She felt it not. But could see
that she gloried in some other thing
l approached her as soon as pos
sible. 81 am about to co. she said
Say goodbye to me now, here We
shall not meet again. Say good-by to
me now, quickly! My father and are
going to leave. The treaty for Ore
gon is prepared. Now l am done. Yes.
Tell me good-by."
81 will not say it," said I. 81 can
not"
She smiled at me- Others might
see her lips, her smile. / saw what
was in her eyes. 1--WE must not be
selfish said she. Come l must CO."
do not 60" ] insisted. Wait"
She caught my meaning Surely"
she said, Il will stay little longer
for that one thing. Yes, wish to see
her again, Miss Elizabeth Churchill.
hated her. l wish that l might love
her now, do you know? Would-would
she let me-if she knew"
They say that love is not possible
between women" said l. For my
own part, / wish with you"
She interrupted with light tap of
her fan upon my arm. Look, is not
that she?"
l turned. A little circle of people
were bowling before Mr.. Polk, who
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