Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1911-03-24

L do dare 1t l do mean 1t! l can
tell you all thadB Mexico plans, and all
that Texas plans. All the secrets are
out; and since Ne know them. we pur-
pose immediat9 annexation of the Re-
public OF Texas! Though it means
war, Texas shall be ours. This has
been forced upon us by the perfdy 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, I do not be-
lieve IN war when war can be averted.
Bat 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 adHires? \ lady of SO
distinguished beauty and charm IS
valuable in our society here"
He bowed to her with stately grace.
If there was r0eclzery in his tone, she
could not catch it: nor did her search
ing eyes read his meaning.
See" he resumed alone, I am
helpless in this situation. If my gov
eminent is offended, cannot stop the
course Of events. I 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 peal of low
ripping laughter. her white teen
cleaning, It was, after all. somewh 1T
n t1,iA Will hi OH
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-
tons Dwell, 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 its
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 land of heat
and passion. But Calhoun regarded
her calmly, his finger tips together
and spoke as deliberately as though
c0mmuring with himself 1T 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 ana Texas"
Bowling, he presented TO her the
document to which he had earlier di-
rected NY own attention. we are
all we'll advised that Senior Van Zandt
is traflicking this very hour with Eng.
land as against u.s." he explained. I'VE
ask the gracious assistance of Sonora
YturTio. In return we promise her
siIence."
Il can mott is impcssible!" she ex.
claimed, as she glanced at the pages.
1T is our ruin"
NO. sonora" said Calhoun Stern1y;
1T means annexation of Texas to the
United States. But that is not your
ruin It is your salvation. Your coun.
England bearing gifts"
L 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. No, sonora" he said
sternly; but you have access to my
| friend MI. Polk, and Mr.. Polk is the
| friend of Mr. Jackson, and they two
are friends OF MIR. Van Zandt: and
/ Texas supposes that these two, al
! though they do not represent precise
| ~ 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 infu-
| 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 ali such questions simply,
| Immediately, and to the best benefit
! of Mexico. Texas and the United
| States? Treason? Why. sonora,
i 'twould be preventing treason!'
(TO BE CONTINUED