Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-01

challenge and in subsequent events con-
corning those who were connected with the
difficulty there is story as interesting as
q romance.
Mr.. Corcoran had daughter, an only
child, who had just reached the age Of wom-
anhood. He being rich, there was no heir
ess In the country then, probably, with the
prospect of inheriting larger fortune than
Miss Corcoran. She had been brought up
with great care and had all the advantages
that wealth could bring to a young lady
under rather strict though affectionate
guardianship.
Being delicate, her father deemed it pru-
dent not to overtax her with study; hence,
while she was we'll educated, she was not
remarkable for accomplishments or intel
lectual ability. She was, however, sem
sible, good, gentle and sweet-natured young
woman.
Her father, in his great love for her, ap-
peared to be overcareful and restrictive, so
that she saw little society except such as he
entertained at their residence, and her life,
therefore, was too much like that of re-
cluse. For the benefit of her health she
was accustomed to ride horseback along the
roads outside of the city, and, whether
friends were with her or not, she was at
tended by groom.
Mr. Murnaga, who was good looking and
an accomplished little fellow, and always
well dressed, used to ride in the same d.
rection as Miss Corcoran. By some means,
whether in regular form or not, he became
acquainted with her, and this acquaintance
ripened into love in the young lady, at least,
for she admitted Murnaga to stolen or secret
interviews, which she would hardly have
done had she not been fond of him.
Miss Corcoran evidently was afraid to let
her father know she had lover particu-
larry as the gentleman was foreigner and
held no higher position than that of Secre-
tary of Legation. The residence of the
Spanish Minister, where MIR. Murnaga
lived, was On a street near that of Mr.. Cor
coran, and, therefore, convenient for the
lovers to meet when the way was clear.
When MI. Corceran was supposed to be
safely away from home Miss Corcoran re-
ceived Mr.. Murnaga in her drawing-room
or parlor. How often these stolen meetings
were repeated is not known. At last Mr..
Corcoran heard Of them and determined at
once to break the acquaintance Of his daugh-
ter with the Spaniard.
One Of the most prominent public men in
the country at that time was Jesse Bright,
United States Senator from Indiana, and he
was particular friend of Mr.. Corcoran. To
him, therefore, the angry banker went for
advice. Having trusty informer, plan
was devised to pounce upon the unsuspect-
ing lovers at the time the Spanish Secre-
tary might be in the house of Mr.. Corcoran.
The opportunity soon came, and Mr.. Cor
coran, accompanied by Senator Bright, re-
turned home unexpectedly. In terror Miss
Corcoran urged Murnaga to hide himself
under the piano. But her father knew he
was in the house, and, after searching few
minutes, dragged him from his hiding place
and hustled him out of the house in rough
manner.
This was humilating, Of course, to proud
Spaniard and Mr.. Murnaga after consult
ing with friends, sent a challenge to Mr..
Corcoran. Among these friends was one
who visited and dlned frequently with the
Spanish Minister This was Mr.. John
Eustis, Representative in Congress from
Louisiana, and refined, charming and
handsome gentleman, who had hardly
reached the middle age of life. Had duel
been fought he probably would have partici-
pated as second of Murnaga or witness.
To the friends of Mr.. Corcoran, as well as
to that gentleman himself, no doubt, the
idea of accepting challenge to fight duel
under the circumstances appeared absurd
In fact, the thought Of this venerable and
benevolent man of sixty years of age fight
ing duel under any circumstances could
not be entertained for moment
It was understood that Mr. Murnaga and
Miss Corcoran never saw each other after
this distressing and abrupt check to their
courtship. An intimation was made in
formally and kindly to the Spanish Minister
and his Government, either by Mr.. Buchan-
an or some others in high station, that it
might be well to remove Mr. Murnaga to
another post, and not long after that gentle
man left the United States. Possibly he
might himself have asked to be removed
Certainly he was not disgraced IN the eyes
of his Government for what had occurred
IN Washington.
The curious sequel to this story is that Mr..
John Eustis, Murnaga's friend, and who
might have been Murnaga's second had
there been a duel, subsequently courted
Miss Corcoran himself and married her.
The Eustis children. offspring of this mar
riage, both parents being dead, now inherit
the vast wealth of their grandfather, Cor
coran.