Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1911-03-02

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 ad-
vance Of the truth, sonora" said Cal
houn grimly. For me, / 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 1t? 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.
II there was mockery in his tone. she
could not catch 1T; nor did her search
ing eyes read his meaning.
"See," he resumed, "alone, am
helpless in this situation. II my gov
eminent is offended, cannot stop the
course Of events. l am not the sem
ate; 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 trifie with one who had
been trained in intrigue all her life.
Calhoun laughed now in his own
quiet way. I'VE shall do better II we
deal entirely frankly, sonora" said he.
Let us then waste no time. Frankly,
then, II would seem that, now the
Baroness Won Ritz is on the scene, the
Sonora Yturrio would have all the bet
] ter title and opportunity in the affec-
tons Orwell. let us say. her own
husbandi"
She bent toward him now, her lips
open In 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 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 at 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 d.
rected my own attention. I'VE are
all we'll advised that Senior Van Zandt
is trafficking this very hour with Eng
land as against u.s." he explained. I'VE
ask the gracious assistance of Sonora
Yturrio. In return we promise her
silence!"
Il can motif is impossible!" she ex-
claimed. as she glanced at the pages.
1T is our ruin"
mo, sonora" said Calhoun sternly:
st means annexation of Texas to the
United States. But that is not your
ruin. It is your salvation. Your coun-
try well may doubt England, even
England bearing gifts!"
IL 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, 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 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. II
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
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!"
(To BE CoNTINUED)