Rock Island Argus., 1905-04-24
DAILY SHORT STORY
A REVELATION.
IOriginal-l

Senorita Franco was cOQuette who
knew as many ways Of flirting man
as OF flirting fan. She took great de-
light in setting her suitors one against
the other. in assigning them impossible
duties. in leading them into grotesQue
situations, then laughing at them
The senorita was NO more merci-
less than other cOquettes. and any seri-
Gus injury occurring TO one OF her suit
ors would have greatly troubled her.
She was simply young and born with a
Spaniard's partiality for playing with
edged tools.
II Franco was not justified by the
stupidity of her suitors aud their want
Of feeling for each other her friends at
least failed to blame her Percy Ow-
ems. all American, visiting Seville for
the purpose OF studying the original
pictures Of the great Murilo which are
there. met her and was much amused
at the ridiculous rivalry for her favor.
Franco attempted 10 include him
among the number of those who were
quarreling about her. but he politely
declined. This piqued her.
In Spain there are balconies 10 the
dwellings, Oh which young ladies re
c6lve their admirers. who stand below
aud talk 10 them. one afternoon Percy
Owens was passing The house Of Seno-
rita Perez when she stepped on To the
balcony and beCkOned 10 him. On her
face were mingled amusement and
dread. She told Owens that two of
her suitorS. Senors Jose Seduno and
Pedro Wales. were in the drawing
room. She had written each that if he
would call upon her mother that after
noon at I O'Clock he should receive an
answer to a proposition he had made
for her hand. Il fear they may quar-
rel" she added. and | wish you 10
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
room adjoining the one i'm which the
two visitors had been shown. Percy
took seat by window. while Franca
stood behind a portiere. peeping into the
adjoining apartment. Each OF the Wis
itors had evidently learned the object
OF the others call, and they We're every
moment growing more furious toward
one another.
Your coming here on such d visit
said Senior Sedano, II consider an in
suit to me-"
AN insult means satisfaction re-
tOrted SenOr 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 IL. Senior Wales turned to
the only other door. 1t, too, was lock
ed.
II fancy" said Sedano, that the
lady has brought US here to fight for
her"
What u pity there are no weapons
replied Pedro.
On the walls hung curios, among
which We're 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. ft
ted an arrow and backed against a
wall. prepared TO shoot
Though the room was long one IL
was quite likely that an arrow sent to
a vital part would be fatal. Franca
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 position
between them.
''Senorita." said Sedano lowering his
crossbow, Il think Signor Wales will
join me in an agreement TO cease this
affair if you will tell him that | am
your accepted suitor'
Rather" said Wales. IF you will
tell Signor SedanO that | am the favor
I'd one"
The girl stood baffied. She did not
wish 10 marry either The men moved
aside In order to get free range of each
other and again raised their cross
bows. Franca implored them TO de
siSt, but they remained firm in their de
termination.
Meanwhile Owens, thinking that his
assistance might be required. had ad-
vanced to the doorway. He heard
what had been spoken aud, seeing the
scnorta'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 Senorlta Perez is
engaged To me-
Indeed" exclaimed the rivals. as
tOnishcd. Franco stood looking at her
assistant as much astonished as the
Spaniards.
is this true, senorita ?" asked Valles
is it true, senoritA?" repeated Sc
dauo.
You have no right, signors," said
Franca, bending her eyes to the
ground, Ito 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 i the favored suitor"
The two Spaniards hung up their |
crOssbows. bowed low 70 the lady. |
each vainly endeavoring to conceal bis !
chagrin and modification under a |
supera bundance of politeness, and /
with only the two words, "Adieu, Sc |
norita," left the house