The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-04-06
THE EVENING STORY
Three Episodes-and a Climax.
(By M. J. Phillips0


in haste. Capt. Louis OIfaro, of the
Royal Twenty ninth infantry. was the
last to leave. Before he had retreated
far he found himself engaged in sa-
Der duel with an American who pur-
sued.
The American wore a yellow cord
OF the cavalry, and his hat was pin
ned upon one side. He swung his huge
saber with fierceneSs and skill. Capt.
Olfaro, swordsman of not in old
Madrid, was hard put to it to defend
himself
The Spaniard took heart of grace
when he saw that the odds had turned.
The other Americans had stopped at
the trenches, a hundred yards in rear
of the duel. One of the captains own
men paused long enough in his flight
to fire point blank at the American.
That bullet merely gave the Amer
leans bat a more rakish tilt than be-
fore; but it also distracted his atten-
ton. Capt. Olfaro struck quickly, and
gave his adversary a cash across the
right forearm. Then. with a cruel
smile, he prepared to kill at his leis-
ure.
But the American was not ready to
die. The grazing bullet and the slash
simply spurred him to renewed efforts.
He leaped at the Spaniard like a
mountain cat; his blade fiickered be-
wilderingly in the hot Cuban sunlight.
"Yow-yow-yow, whe-e-e-e-ee!" the
Americans battlecry, a high-pitched
yell of sheer delight in conflict, broke
out.
1t was more than the Spaniard could
stand. 1t told of strength of fiber,
an unconquered determination, which
he could not match.
He turned suddenly and ran. In
blind panic he threw away his machete
as he fled.
can again. run. you pike. rum" .
Doris" said Jack Burnham. Sd. as
he sat on the stairs. There's some
thing I want to say. If it isn't said
pretty soon, I'll be ashamed to open
my mouth. Why, I'm doddering old
mani
"You poor old thing!' scoffed pref
ty Doris Van Glider; you're all of
thirty
ct know; but you're only about
twenty"
'I'm nearly twenty-two!' flashed the
Indignant Doris.
"We1l-'
But just then Tommy Buttersly
claimed his dance.
The next day there was a furry on
the Street, and Jack Burnham lost all
for him to call and finish the CONVEX
sation. Doris went away. .
senorita Isabella y'Nogales, fellow
of Vassar college, and well versed in
things American, from fourth d1men-
sion to college friendships and fudge'
sat on the porch of her plantation
home, province of Santa Clara, Cuba.
The planter whose tobacco fields join
ed her own vast estate on the south
half reclined in a long chair. A third
chair beside the senorita indicated that
the party which was now Two recently
had been three.
A frown crossed the planters face
when he looked up to see man con-
fronting them-a man with tanned
face, wide shoulders and slim hips.
His khaki clothes were dust-covered.
His light shirt rolled open at the neck.
The planter was an aristocrat, &C
customed to crushing or ignoring those
without money or position, and SO,
after an insolent glance, he finished
what he was saying: land have de-
cided to marry her. She is American,
much gold" He spoke in Spanish.
AS for the senorita, she gave little
shrug of disapproval or doubt. "A
moment, senor," she replied. Then, in
English, to the man on the palm
fringed walk: What is it,?
"A drink of water, if you will be SO
kind
The tap of a bell brought black
servant. While he was gone for the
water, the senorita, who had imbibed
democratic ideas at college, motioned
the man to be seated. She studied
him, at first casually, then with IN
terest.
He was Americano; one could tell
that by the set of his shoulders. the
poise of the head, the firm, humorous
mouth She spoke with quick resolve.
Perhaps the senior desires work ??
LIGHTED he ~
sWered: Eyes"
"I have a place, as overseer. If you
could speak Spanish
what are you thinking of, seno-
rita? ''- broke in the planter, harshly.
1.-THE man is an Americano-a tramp.
He will rob you, or worse"
A rustic; they all turned. In the
doorway stood a girl, an American girl.
of the kind men love and cherish and
die for.
The American stood up. 81 speak
the language, as you see,' he said, in
excellent Spanish. Il accept your Of
fer. and thank you."
Harris. which was the name the
American gave, fitted IN. me negro
workmen of the plantation knew him
for a master. They saw him take the
great machete left by the foreman, a
giant of a man, and weigh it fondly.
It was a blade as heavy as broad
axe They worshiped. He was an
Americana, and a man!
He had a popularity. Very seldom
was he in conversation with the SEN
orita or her guest; but h watched
over them.
When the two young women drove
through the plantation the overseer,
on his horse was in front or behind.
He was always lowering about, just out
of sight
AS The days wore on, the planter
whose estates adjoined came more fire.
ouently Always he scowled when he
saw the overSeer.
view with the senorita alone, he flung
himself away in deadly rage. That