Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1910-05-13

excellency our president, Mr.. Tyler"
My lady broke out in peal Of low
ripping laughter, her white teeth
cleaning. 1t was, after all. somewhat
difficult to trifie with one who had beer
trained in intrigue all her life.
Calhoun laughed now in his own
quiet way. I'VE shall do better If we
deal entirely frankly, Sonora" said he
Let US then waste no time. Frankly
then, 1t would seem that, now the
Baroness Won Ritz is off the scene, the
Sonora Yturria would have all the bet
ter title and opportunity in tine affec-
tions of-well, let US say, her own hus-
band!"
She bent toward him now, her lips
open in a slow smile, all her subtle and
dangerous beauty unmasking its bat
teries The impression she conveyed
was that of warmth and of spotted
shadows such as play upon the leop-
ards back such as mark the wing OF
butterfly, the petal Of some flower born
in a land of heat and passion. But Cal
houn regarded her calmly. his finger
tips together, and spoke as deliberately
as though communing with himself
1T is but one thing, one very little
thing"
And what is that, senor?" she ask
ed at length.
The signature of Senor Van Zandt
attache for Texas, on this memoran-
dunn of treaty between the United
States and Texas
Bowing, he presented to her the doc
ument to which he had earlier direct
ed my own attention. I'VE are well
advised that Senor Van Zandt is traf-
ticking this very hour with England
as against u.s." he explained. I'VE ask
the gracious assistance of Sonora
Yturrio. In return we promise her
silence!"
II can MOTT is impossible!" she
exclaimed, as she glanced at the pages
1T is our ruin"
mo, Sonora" said Calhoun sternly:
ut means annexation of Texas to the
United States. But that is not your
ruin. 1t is your salvation. Your coun-
try we'll may doubt England, even Eng
land bearing gifts"
II have no control over Senior Van
Zandt-he is the enemy Of my coun-
try!" she began.
Calhoun now fixed upon her the full
cold blue blaze Of his singularly pene-
trating eyes. mo, Sonora" he said
sternly; but you have access to my
friend Mr.. Polk, and Mr.. Polk is the
friend of Mr.. Jackson, and they two
are friends OF Mr.. Van Zandt; and
Texas supposes that these two, al
though they do not represent precisely
my own beliefs in politics, are for the
annexation Of Texas, not to England
but to America. There is good chance
Mr.. Polk may be president. If you do
not use your personal influence with
him, he may consult politics and not
you, and so declare war against Mex
leo. That war would cost you Texas
and much more as we'll. Now, to avert
that war, do you not think that per-
haps you can ask Mr.. Polk TO say to
Mr.. Van Zandt that his signature on
this little treaty would end all such
questions simply, Immediately and to
the best benefit of Mexico. Texas and
the United States? Treason? Why
Sonora. 'twould be preventing trea-
SON."
Her face was half hidden by her fan
and her eyes, covered by their deep
lids, gave no sign of her thoughts. The
same cold voice went on:
You might, for instance, tell Mr.
Polk which is to say Mr.. Van Zandt
that if his name goes on this little
treaty for Texas, nothing will be said
to Texas regarding his proposal to give
Texas over to England. 1t might not
be safe for that little fact generally to
be known in Texas as it is known to
me- We will keep i: secret. You might
seat in the senate of these United
States, rather than a lynching rope:
So much do l value your honorable
acquaintance with Mr. Polk and with
Mr.. Van Zandt my dear lady, that dc
not go to the latter and demand his
signature in the name Of his republic
no, / merely suggest to you that die
you take this little treaty for a day
and presently return it to me with hi:
signature attached, l should feel sc
deeply gratified that l should not ask
you by what means you had attained
this most desirable result! And
should hope that if you could not wiz
back the affections of a certain gentle
man, at least you might win your owr
evening of the scales with nim."
Her face colOred darkly. In flash
she saw the covert allusiOn to the
faithless Pakenham. Here was the
chance to cut him to the soul. Sh,
could cost England Texas! Revenge
made it's swift appeal to her savage
heart. Revenge and jealousy, handled
coolly, mercilessly as weapons-thos'
cost England Texas!
She sat, her fan tight at her white
teeth. 1T would be death to me If i
| were known" she said. But still sh'
pondered. her eye alight with sombe
fire, her dark cheek red in a woman:
anger.
But il never will be known my dea
lady. These things, however, must b'
concluded swiftly. We have not tim'
to wait Let us not argue over the un
happy business. Let me think of Mex
leo as our sister republic and on
friend!"
And suppose l shall not do this tina
you ask, senOr?'
That, my dear lady. l do not sup
pose"
You threaten, Senor Secretary?'
ION the contrary, | implore! Dea
lady, may we not COnspire together
for the ultimate good Of three repub
! lies. making Of them two noble ones
later to dwell in amity? Shall we no
hope to see all this continent swept FREE
| e b.I1 fraa for tha Tpnnlp