Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-06-07

followed closely by Mr.. Calhoun's in
separable friend, old Doctor 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. Afflicted
by nothing but a somewhat mercenary
or personal grief, she showed her lack
of gameneSs in adversely. On the 9TH
er hand, Helena Won Ritz, who had liv-
ed tragedy all her life, and was now in
the climax of such tragedy, was smil-
ing and debonaire as though she had
never been anything but wholly con-
tent with life, She was rObed now
in some light filmy green material.
caught up here and there on the shoul-
ders and secured with silken knots.
Her white neck showed, her arms
were partly bare with the short
sleeves of the time. She stood, COM
posed and easy. a figure fit for any
company or any court, and somewhat
shaming our little assembly, which
never was q court at all, only pri-
vate meeting in the office of a discred-
tied and disowned leader in republi-
can government. Her costume and her
bearing were Helena Won RitZ's answer
to a woman's fate. A deep color fam
ed in her cheeks. She stood with head
erect and lips smiling brilliantly. Her
curtsey was grace itself. Our dingy
little office was glorified.
Il interrupt you, gentlemen" she
began.
"On the contrary, l am sure. my
dear lady" said Doctor Ward. "Sena-
tor Calhoun told me he wished you to
meet Sonora Yturrio."
Yes" resumed Calhoun, Il was just
speaking with this lady over some
matters concerned with this little slip
per-" He smiled as he held it up gin
gerly between thumb and finger. DO
you recognize it, Madam Baroness"
"Ah, my little shoe" she exclaimed.
But see, it has not been well cared
for"
1T travelled in my war bag from
Oregon to Washington" said l.. Per
haps bullet molds and powder TASKS
may have damaged it."
1T still would serve as little post
office, perhaps" laughed the baroness.
But l think its days are done on such
errands."
u will explain something of these
errands to the Sonora Yturrio," said
Calhoun. Il wish you personally to say
to that lady, if you will, that Senor
Yturrio regarded this little receptacle
rather as official than personal post"
For one moment these two women
looked at each other, with that on their
faces which would be hard to describe.
At last the baroness spoke:
1T is not wholly my fault, Sonora
Yturrio, if your husband gave you
cause to think there was more than di-
plomacy between us. At least, | can
say to you that it was the sport of it
alone, the intrigue, if you please, which
interested me. l trust YOU will not ac-
cuse me beyond this"
A stined exclamation came from the
Dona LucreZia. / have never seen
a human face than hers displayed.
have said that she was not thorough
bred. She arose now, proud as ever,
it is true, but vicious. She declined
Helena Won RitZ's outstretched hand,
and swept us a curtsey. "Adios." said
she. Il go!"
Mr.. Calhoun gravely offered her an
arm; and so with a rustic of her silks
there passed from our lives one un-
happy lady who helped to make our
map for us.
The baroness herself turned. Il ought
not to remain" she hesitated.
Madam" said Mr.. Calhoun, I'VE can
not spare YOU yet
She flashed upon him n keen look.
1T is a young country" said she, but
it raiser statesmen. You foolish, dear
Americans. One could have loved YOU
all"
Eth, what" said Doctor Ward, turn
ing to her. My dear lady, two of us
are too old for that; and as for the
other"
He did not know how hard this
chance remark might smite, but rs
usual Helena Won Ritz was brave and
smiling.
You are men," said she. such as we
do not have in our courts of Europe.
Men and women-that is what this
country produces"
Madam" said Calhoun, Il myself am
a very poor sort of man. | am old. and
fail from month to month. can not
live long. at best. What YOU see in
me is simply purpose-a purpose to
accomplish something for my country
"a purpose which my country itself
does not desire to See fulfilled. Repub-
lies do not reward us. What you say
shall be our chief reward. | have ask
ed YOU here also to accept the thanks
Ot all OF us VINO KNOW luc HllliCi'les
of the events which have gone for
ward. Madam. we owe YOU Texas.
Twas not yonder lady, but yourself
who first advised of the danger that
threatened us. Hers was, after all. q
simpler task than yours, because she
only matched faiths with Van Iandt
representative of Texas, who hao
faith in neither men, women nor ma
tions Had all gone well, we nigh,
perhaps have owed y"u yet more. f"l
Oregon"
Would YOU like Orcgon"' she asked
looking at him with the full glance OF
her dark eyes.
More than my life. More than the
life of myself and all my friends and
family. More than all my fortune!
His voice rang clear and keen as that
of youth.
"An of Oregon" sh" asked.
"All" We do not own all! Per-
haps we do not dcscrv" it, Surely We
Cuuld not expect il. Why, if we EOl