Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1911-03-04

Il do dare it; do mean it! 1 can
tell you all that Mexico plans, and all
that Texas plans. All the secrets are
out; and since we know them, we pur-
pose immediate annexation of the Re-
public of Texas! Though it means
war, Texas shall be ours, This has
been forced upon us by the perf1dy of
other nations
You seek war, Senior Secretary!
My people say that your armies are
in Texas now, or will be-
They are but very slightly in adj
vance of the truth, sonora said Cal
houn grimly. For me, 1 do not be-
lieve in war when war can be averted
But suppose it could be averted? Sup
pose the Sonora Yturrio herself could
avert it? Suppose the sonora could
remain here still, in this city which
she so much admires? A lady of so
distinguished beauty and charm is
valuable in our society here"
He bowed to her with stately grace
If there was mockery in his tone, she
could not catch it: nor did her search
ing eyes read his meaning.
"See,' he resumed, alone, am
helpless in this situation If my gov
eminent is offended, cannot stop the
course of events. I am not the SEN
ate; 1 am simply an officer in our ad-
miniStration-a very humble officer of
his excellency our president, Mr.
Tyler
My lady broke out in a peal of low
ripping laughter, her white teeth
cleaning 1t was, after ALL somewhat
difficult to trif1e with one who had
been 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, it would seem that, now the
Baroness Won Ritz is off the scene, the
Sonora Yturrio would have all the bet
ter title and opportunity in the affec-
tions of-well, let us say, her own
husband"
She bent toward him now, her lips
open in a slow smile, all her subtle
and dangerous beauty unmasking it's
batteries. The impression she con-
veyed was that of warmth and of
spotted shadows such as play upon
the leopard's back, such as mark the
wing of the butterfly, the petal of
some flower born in a land of heat
and passion. But Calhoun regarded
her calmly, his finger tips together,
and spoke as deliberately as though
communing with himself. "It is but
one thing one very little thing
And what is that, senor?" she
asked at length.
The signature of Senior Van Zandt,
attache for Texas, on this memoran-
dunn of treaty between the United
States and Texas.
Bowling he presented to her the
document to which he had earlier di-
rected my own attention. I'VE are
all well advised that Senior Van Zandt
is traff1cking this very hour with Eng
land as against u.s. he explained. I'VE
ask the gracious assistance of Sonora
Yturrfo. In return we promise her
silence,"
II can MOTT is impossible!" she ex-
claimed, as she glanced at the pages.
1T is our ruin"
No, senora," said Calhoun sternly;
1T 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
England bearing gifts.'
Il have no control over Senior Van
Zandt-he is the enemy of my coun-
tryi" she began.
Calhoun now fixed upon her the full
cold blue blaze of his singularly pene-
trating eyes. NO, 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 precise
ly my own beliefs in politics, are for
| the annexation of Texas, not to Eng
| land, but to America. There is good
| chance Mr. Polk may be president If
you do not use your personal infiu-
ence with him, he may consult politics
and not you, and SO declare war
against Mexico. That war would cost
youFexas, and much more as well.
| Now, to avert that war, do you not
| think that perhaps 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 treasoni"
CTO BE CONTINUED1