The Daytona daily news. [volume] (Daytona, Fla.) 1903-1926, 1916-04-05
A Romance Of
Old Mexico
By F. A MICHEL

Years ago when Mexico was still a
Spanish province there was a house
party In one OF the haciendas not far
from the capital The hostess was
| young widow. and several OF the
| young men guests were Suitors for
her hand. The lady. Sonora ISABEL
Cardona. had given her heart to one of
them Don Miguel Benarez. but he did
not know ii, and another. Antonio Co
raj a recent arrival from Madrid. who
claimed 10 be a grandee. was his rival.
one afternoon when the hostess and
number OF her guests had been stroll
ing over the hacienda, that Sonora Ysa-
Del might show them her fruits. upon
passing up on TO the veranda she miss
ed a fan she had been carrying. II
was a valuable article. being studded
with jewels A small party had ar
rived at the house. the others being
strung along in the path they had
come Among those who were with
the hostess was Antonio Coral.
What will you give the finder of the
fan: he asked her
Anything / possess
'.Yourself:'-
Sonora ISABEL looked at Benarez.
who was also present. and with a
spark in her eye and color in her
cheeks replied:
Yes"
Away went all the men present to
look for the fan except Benarez. who
remained standing beside Dona Con
CHA Poillado, with whom he had been
walking Sonora Ysabel looked at him.
surprised that he did not enter the
lists Tor her hand and. frowning. went
into the house. After awhile those
who had gone TO search returned. Co
raj possessed the fan and had won the
widow
Evidently his being the finder in
stead OF Benarez was a matter Of
great displesure TO Sonora ISABEL Car
uona. She gave 10 sign Of not accept
ing the situation. but no one was sure
whether she would engage herself 10 |
Coral or not Coral certainly had rea- /
son 10 suppose that she would. for she /
at once began TO treat him as a fiance. /
especially when BenareZ was present. I
During the evening a party OF the /
men guests, including both Coral and |
Benarez. We're in the billiard room |
Coral asked Benarez if he would play |
a game with him.
Il play only with honorable men |
was the reply
or few moments there was the /
stiffness OF death in the room. Every /
one present knew that the insult re- I
CURED resentment and il was gen
orally supposed that something under
lay the affair. Then Coral left rho
room.
The next morning Sonora YsaheI
who was troubled that one man sbould
have won her hand when she wanted
another, awoke very early and lay
thinking what TO do in the matter |
Hearing mems voices under her win
COW, she got out Of bed and saw
benarez and another Of her men guests
leaving the house. The man with
Benarez carried rapiers under his arm
it was evident that something was
about to happen. the cause of which
she did not understand. Hurriedly
putting on her clothes. she went ont
eo NoA1iuoT- Wnere she met bona
Conchia Poillado. TO whom she told
what she had seen.
can explain that said Dona
Conchia. but will do so later. Hurry
after these men if you wish to prevent
bloodshed-
Inc TWO women ran downstairs and.
meeting one of the Indian servants
asked him which way the gentlemen
had gone He told them. and thev fol.
lowed as fast as they could to an open
space inclosed by surrounding trees
where a number Of duels had been
Fought There they found Benarez and
Coral in their shirt sleeves. each hold
Ing rapier. about to fight. On the
ground were their seconds and several
other of the men guests.
Gentlemen said the widow. "vhat
night have you to mar my party in this
way: What you are doing is an in
suit TO me and all my other guests"
The two principals paused. but nei-
Their replied.
i think said bona Conchia. THAT
can explain it. and since the one 9th
r who should explain it seems not in
lined to do so, l will tell what | :