Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1911-06-08
CHAPTER XxXVl.-ContInued.

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 nc more str1-
king figure upon the floor than she.
Jewels blazed at her throat and caught
here and there the flmy folds of her
gown. She was radiant, beautiful, ap-
parently happy. She came mysterious
ly enough; but L knew that Mr.. Cal
houn's carriage had been sem for her.
I learned also that he had waited for
her arrival.
AS l first saw Helena Won Ritz, there
stood by her side DR.. Samuel Ward,
his square and stocky figure not un-
~dignified in his dancing dress. the stin
gray name of his hair waggling after
its custom az he spoke emphatically
over something with her. A gruff
man, DR.. Ward, but under his gray
name there vas a clear brain, and
In his broad breast there beat a largo
and kindly heart.
Even as I began to edge my way to-
ward these two, l saw Mr.. Calhoun
himself approach, tall, gray and thin.
He was very pale that night; and I
knew well enough what effort it cost
him to attend any of these functions.
Yet he bowed with the grace of q
younger man and offered the baroness
an arm. Then, methinks, all Washing
ton gasped a bit. Not all Washington
knew what had gone forward between
these two. Not all Washington knew
what that couple mean as they
marched in the grand procession that
night-what they meant for America.
OF all those who saw, l alone under
stood.
So they danced; he with the dig
nifty Of his years, she with the grace
which vas 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 this little matter
60 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 a few moments. Thus, I
fancy, Helena Won Ritz had her first
and last acquaintance with n of our
politicians to whom fate gave far
more than his deserts. It 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 I have recalled that little
scene. Politics &C INSCRIPTIONS can
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 we'll. That might have
been called the triumph OF Helena Won
Ritz. She felt 1t not. But / could see
that che gloried in some other thing.
approached her as soon as pos
sible. Il 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 l are
Going to leave. The treaty for Ore