The Harrison times., 1911-07-08

q do dare it; l do mean It! 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 1t means
war, Texas shall be ours! This has
been forced upon US by the perfdy OF
other nations"
You seek war, Senor Secretary!
My people say that your armies are
in Texas now, or will be"
They are but very slightly in ad-
vance of the truth, senora,' said Cal
houn grimly. For me, do not be-
lieve in war when war can be ayerted
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 l Am
helpless in this situation, If my gov
eminent is offended, l cannot stop the
course of events. | am not the sen
ate; I 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. It was, after all, somewhat
difficult to trine with one who had
been trained in intrigue all her life.
Calhoun laughed now in his own
quiet way. 1--WE shall do better If we
deal entirely frankly, senora," 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 affeo.
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 leopards back, such as mark the
wing of the butterfly, the petal Of
, some flower born in land Of heat
and passion. But Calhoun regarded
her calmly, his finger tips together,
, and spoke as deliberately as though
communing with himself ut is but
one thing, one very little thing"
, And what Is that, senor?" she
asked at length.
The signature of Senor Van Zandt,
, attache for Texas, on this memoran'
DUN of treaty between the United
States and Texas"
Bowing, he presented to her the
document to which he had earlier di.
rected my own attention. I'VE are
all we'll advised that Senor Van Zandt
is trafficking this very hour with Eng
land as against us" he explained, I'VE
ask the gracious assistance Of Sonora
Yturrio. In return we promise her
: silence!"
II can mott Is impossible" she ex.
claimed, as she glanced at the pages.
1T is our ruin"
mo, sonora" said Calhoun sternly;
1T means annexation Of Texas to the
United States. But that Is not your
ruin. II Is your salvation. Your coun'
try well may doubt England, even
England bearing gifts"
Il have no control over Senor 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, senora,' 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 DellSlSs III pollllCs, arc loi
the annexation Of Texas, not to Eng
land, but to America, There is good
chance Mr.. Polk may be president. II
you do not use your personal innu'
ence with him, he may consult politics
and not you, and so declare war
against Mexico. That war would cost
you Texas, 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 treason!'
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