54-40 or Fight

ch have not had their

ution, saw the eyes of Mr. Calhoun and Mr. Tyler meet in firmness. An instant later, Mr. Tyler rose and bowe

ith the lady who had accompanied him; so that meantime

e fat certainly is

asked Calhoun serene

y lady and her protector there. She turned traitor just when he had mo

houn to

ou don't know men, either." The thin

in Mr. Calhoun's office at half-past two this morning."

ealed to her heart, her brain, her purse, and she laughed, for the most part. Yet she argued, too, and seemed to ha

ani

at, though it leaves me still puzzled. If you think her personal hold on yonder gentleman will be lessened, you err," he added, in a low voic

t?" I aske

hat one day," said C

alhoun the note I had

can I not be excused from making th

e?" asked Calh

to-night, sir," said

ised. "Married? Zounds! boy, what do

" said I with dignity. "Miss Elisabe

friend. I know her very well, of course. Very well done

taking his leave, he stepped to the side of the baroness. I saw him and that mysterious lady fall into a conversation as grave as that which

ss von Ritz to her carriage, which will wait at the avenue."

ing," he continued, "and I would l

ced the gentleman whose approach had been noted. We paused in a little group under the shade of an a

large wing of the disaffected; the Democratic party then being scarce more than a league of warring cliques. Although once governor of Tennessee, it still was an honor for Mr. Polk to be sought out by Senator John Calhoun, sometime vice-president, sometime cabinet member in diffe

ed at the House, t

leman from Tennessee. "Mr. Tyler has asked me to come acro

ut escorting this lady to her carriage, as she clai

d Mr. Polk gallantly, "means that s

in lady demurely. "Early hours and a good

efeat in you," Mr. Polk assured he

ca make!" was her gay reply. "Is it not so, Mr. S

which rarely failed him. "Mr. Secreta

ccepted the place lately filled

s hand. "I congratulate you, Mr. Secretary," said he. "Now at

end, Governor Polk!"

redly I must hasten to congratulate Mr. Tyler. I have no doubt that this

re, measuring him calmly for her mental tablets, as I could believe was her wont. "But I find mys

Mr. Calhoun. "We crave

er hand, and we two, making adieux, pass

. Pakenham, nor so thin as Mr. Calhoun. My faith, could you have seen t

hief said to cause you to fail poor Mr. Pakenham as you did? I pit

ore for Mexico and less for Mexicans after this! But you do not tell me when you are coming to see me, to bring back my lit

at I might

at two in the morning? And for your sake-and the sake of sport-did I not almost promise him many things? Com

ight, Madam, but th

, th

Montreal to-n

glance, which I co

said. "Why

erhaps I may not obey orders for

that

be marrie

there was an alternate white and red passed

pon a man in a red nightcap; and then, even upon a morning like this, when the birds sing so

was absorbed in one thought-of Elisabeth. Where one fire burns high a

I at Last, "but I did not myse

ust seen history made between the lightings of a cigarette, as it were. Now comes this man and announces th

atulate me!

t was that tall girl! Yes, yes, I see

have not cong

ngratulates a man when he has won another! What of my own

said I. "Rather say what of my little clasp there

not wear it

zen better some time,"

that back, because I can not hop a

First, the slipper for Madam. Then the license for myself. Then the minister. Then a friend. Then a carriage. Five miles to Elmhurst, and the train for the

hat"-She made a swift motion to her throat. "Here is the trinket. Tell the tall lady it is my present to you. Tell her I may send her a

at her own home. 'Tis no runaway matc

nsent only an hour ago. Ah,

l's family of my need for haste. I shall attend to that when I arrive.

he mused. "But what did Mr. C

bade th

d you, I am sure, to condemn that lady to a life in a cabin, to a

e no answer but the one which I imagine is the verdict of al

he for

not

you fo

knows

t love-and t

t is

enough! But then"-she turned to me suddenly-"I don't

enham wanted Mr. Calh

kenham is n

u also forbi

e," she retorted, "

rst. You can not shake the faith of Elisabeth Churchill in

a catch of her breath. "At l

iage approached the curb; "but it is safe to say that not even friends of t

y, the loom of the distant capitol dome-all the crude promise of our young and tawdry capital, still in the making of a world city. Her eyes passed to me and searched my face without looking into my eyes, as though I made part of her study. What sat on her face was perplexity, wonder

spoke to herself, "it can not be. B

or haste, mechanically I looked at my watch. It was one o'clock. Then I reflected that it was at eleven of the ni