Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1905-06-01
A
(Originai.l

NAe" as luany ways or flirting q man
as OF flirting a fan. She took great de-
Light ! n setting her suitors one against
the other, In assigning them impossible
duties, In leading them into grotesoue
situations, then laughing at them.
Inc senorlta was no more merci-
less than other %coquettes, and any seri-
u injury occurring to one of her suit
ors would have greatly troubled her.
ene was simply young and born with a
Spanlard's Partially for playing with
edged tools.
II franca was not justified by the
stupidity Of her suitors and their want
OF Keeling for each other her friends at
least failed to blame her. Percy Ow-
ens' an American, visiting Seville for
tne purpose Of studying the original
pictures of the great Murillo which are
there, met her and was much amused
at the ridiculous rivalry for her favor.
Franca attempted to include him
among the number Of those who were
quarreling about her, but he politely
declined. This piqued her.
IN Spain there are balconies to the
dwellings,, on which young ladies re-
celve their admirers, who stand below
and talk to them. One afternoon Percy
owens was passing the house Of Seno-
r1ta Perez when she stepped on to the
balcony and beckoned to him. On her
race were mingled amusement and
dread. She told Owens that two Of
l her S15fnrc SnnNpo Tooo Co5--- .-5
PEDRO Wales, were in the drawing
ROOM. She had written each that if he
would call upon her mother that after
noon at 4 O'Clock he should receive an
answer to a proposition he had made
Tor her hand. 81 fear they may quar-
REL" she added, land 1 wish you to
come in and help me, if necessary, to
prevent them from killing each other"
Owens consented. The girl opened the
front door for him and led him to a
0 adjoining the one in which the
W visitors had been shown. Percy
took a seat by a window, while Franco
stood behind a portiere, peeping into the
adjoining apartment. Each Of the WIS.,
1tors had evidently learned the object
or the others call, and they were every
moment growing more furious toward
one another.
Your coming here on such a VISIT
said Senior Sedano, II consider an in
suit to me-"
AN insult means satisfaction" re-
torted Senior Wales, land you shall
have it,"
Come, then," said the other. And
he started toward the opening where
the senorita stood. She shut the door
and locked it. Senior Wales turned to
the only other door. It, too, was lock-
ed.
II fancy" said Sedano, "that the
lady has brought us here to fight for
her"
what a pity there are no w~eaponsw
replied Pedro.
On the walls hung curios, among
which were dirk knives, blunderbusses,
~arquebuses and other antique weap-
ons.. The rivals selected the latter on
account Of the absence Of noise in their
discharge. Each took a crossbow, fit
ted an arrow and backed against q
wall, prepared to shoot.
Though the room was a long one, it
was quite likely that an arrow sent to
a vital part would be fatal. Franco
through a keyhole saw the two men
standing ready to kill each other and
was wild with fright. Opening the
door, she rushed in and took a position
between them.
"Senorita," said Sedano, lowering his
crossbow, II think Signor Wales will
join me in an agreement to cease this
affair If you will tell him that I am
your accepted suitor."
Rather" said Wales, "if you will
tell Signor Sedano that I am the favor
ed one"
The girl stood baf1ed. She did not
wish to marry either. The men moved
aside in order to get free range of each
other and again raised their cross
bows. Franco implored them to de-
sist, but they remained firm in their de-
termination.
Meanwhile Owens, thinking that his
assistance might be required, had ad-
SohSC " Liz uOOA way. AAC uSdA
what had been spoken and, seeing the
senorita's plight, resolved upon a coup
to eXtricate her.
Entering the room, he said:
Gentlemen, put up your weapons.
You are fighting for that which is des-
tined for another. Senorita Perez is
engaged to me-"
"Indeed!" exclaimed the rivals, as
tonished. Franco stood looking at her
assistant as much astonished as the
Spaniards.
SIS this true, %senorita? 2" asked Wales.
els it true, senorita?" repeated Sc
dano.
"You have no right, signors," said
Franco, bending her eyes to the
ground, "to question me on such a sub
ject."
Pardon, senorita," said Sedano,
speaking for both. "You are right. We
leave you with one whom you do not
deny is the favored suitor."
The two Spaniards hung up their
crossbows, bowed low to the lady,
each vainly e~ndeavoring to conceal his
chagrin and modification under a