The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-09-15
A REVELATION


light III setting her SultorS one aSdlnst
the other, in assigning them impossible |
duties, in leading them into grotesque
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.
If Franco was not justified by the
of her suitors and their want
of feeling for each other her friends at
least failed to blame her. Percy Ow-
ems, an American, visiting Seville for
the 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-
ceive their admirers, who stand below
and talk to them. One afternoon Percy
Owens was passing the house of Seno
rita Perez when she stepped on to the
balcony and beckoned to him. On her
face were mingled amusement and
her suitors, Seniors Jose Sedano and
Pedro Wales, were in the drawing
room. She had written each that il he
would call upon her mother that after.
noon at o'clock he should receive an
answer to a proposition he had made
for her hand. Il fear they may quar-.
REL" she added, land l 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
room adjoining the one in which the
two visitors had been shown. Percy
took Il seat by a window while Franco
stood behind portiere, peeping into the
adjoining apartment. Each of the Wis.
itors had evidently learned the object
of the others call, and they were every
moment growing more furious toward
one another.
"Your coming here on such Il visit"
said Senior Sedano, II consider an in.
suit to me-"
IAN insult means satisfaction" re.
torted Senior Wales, land you shall
have it,
"Come, Them 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. 1t, too, was lock.
ed.
lady has brought us here to fight for
her."
What n pity there are no weapons"
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 a
wall, prepared to shoot.
Though the room was long one. it
was quite likely that an arrow sent TO
vital part would be fatal Franco
through keyhole saw the two men
standing ready to kill each other aud
was wild with fright. Opening the
door, she rushed in and took a position
between them.
'Senorite," 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 l am
your accepted suitor"
Rather" said Wales, 'if you will
tell Slgnor Sedano that am the favor
ed one"
The girl stood baffled 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.
vanced to the doorway. He heard
what had been spoken and, seeing the
senorita's plight. resolved upon coup
to eXtricate her
K 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.
rs this true, senorita 2" asked Wales
us it true, senorita?' repeated Sc.
dano.
"You have no right, signors," said
Franco, bending her eyes to the
ground, "to question me on such sub
ject."
Pardon, senorita." said Sedano,
speaking for both. You are right. We
leave you with one whom you dc not
deny is the favored suitor."
The two Spaniards hung up their
crossbows, bowed low to the lady
each vainly endeavoring to conceal his
chagrin and modification under a
superabundance Of politeness, and
with only the two words, "Adieu, Sc
nnvifo - loft no