The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1916-03-23
Two Kisses
BY DONALD CHAMBEI2LIN

During the stay Of the American
troops In Cuba when the throwing OF
of Spanish rule was being brought
about Captain Edward Mansfield Of
the staff was sent out, supported by a
accommodating party. to sweep around
Santiago for information. Coming TO u
hacienda. the captain. leaving his men
at the gateway. rode up to the house
lie was admitted 10y a negro woman
who announced that there was no one
at home except Scnorlta Sierra. the
daughter of the owner Whcreupon
Mansfield asked Il he might have u
few minutes conversation with the
young lady.
The senorita was OF n different type
from the usual spanish girl. who Is
small Of stature and dclicately made
She was rather above the middle
height for n woman aud of digniflcd
dcmcanor Having entered the room
where the captain was waiting for her,
she stood without speaking till he
should make known his desires.
What Mansfield had called ut the
house FOR was information. lie asked
II the family sided with Spain or cuba
and learned that their hearts were
with Cuba. But MS 10 information, the
young lady had none a. give. Never
thcless the visitor kept her talking
lie was n male flirt and had made
many conquest Daring was a meth
oil he often employed with women, and
he resolved upon this course In the
present case. After engaging the scno
rita in conversation for some time, dur.
ing which he showed admiration for
her, he rose to take his leave. lie OF
fcred his hand. and when she gave
him hers he drew her toward him, and
before she could draw back he had
kissed her on the cheek.
That he had made a mistake was In
stantly apparent. The senorita's eyes
flashed, and her face flushed scarlet.
With an expression OF contempt she
turned. left the room. and Mansfield
saw her no more.
When the fighting was over. before
returning 10 the United States. Mans
field mounted his horse and rode to the
hacienda 10 offer an apology for what
he had done. The same negro woman
who had admitted him before opened
the door. Mansfield asked her 90 In
form her mistress that he would con
slider Il a boon II she would give him
1 f.,x Ia.
for what he had done on a previous
visit.
| Written word was returned that an
apology would not be accepted. The
lady demanded satisfaction on behalf
OF one who would act as her champion.
munication at a hotel a short distance
| down the road.
The officer left the house I'm guam
Diary. should he meet some one In NOR
tai combat for a snatched kiss for
which he had offered 10 apologize, or
should he end the affair by sailing for
home without paying any further at.
teption TO It? lie would have chosen
the latter course had It not been for
the contemptuous treatment he had re
ceived from the senorita. lie could
not bring himself 20 incur the further
imputation.
lie rode to the hotel named and, tax.
ing seat on the veranda 10 n cigar
Half an hour passed. and he was about
TO ride back To camp when negro bog
approached. holding In his hand let
ter. Seeing Mansfield. he handed II To-
him. The captain opened II and read:
To the American Oniccr.-This evening
at o'clock / viii take satisfaction Tor the
insult offered my sister. BE at the north
east corner Of the Sierra hacienda.
JOSE SIERRA
Mansfield was puzzled As 10 the
handwriting The letters were large
and bold. but It looked as II the writer
had disguised his hand. The captain
could not but smile at challenge To
mortal combat sent by negro boy.
addressed to 1.-THE American officer"
aud signed by man he had never
seen. II Jose Sierra had no friend to
bear his challenge why did he not
come himself? Evidently the scnorita
was put 10 1t TO secure her revenge.
Possibly the brother was not at hand
and the sister had written the chal
lenge In his behalf Indeed. despite
the large letters there was more that
was feminine than masculine In the
writing.
At O o'clock Mansfield returned 10
the hacienda. located the northeast
corner and. climbing the fence. ad-
vanced TIL he came To n grove in the
center OF which was an open space
There he stood for few minutes.
when he saw IA figure advancing.
Though the costume was that Of
man. the gait was Enthusiastically that
Of a woman. Mansfield, pretending 10
be deceived. said:
"Senor, your resemblance to your
sister is remarkable
I'VE are twins, sir"
II presume we are 10 fight without
secondsf'
Are they necessary
Before we begin | desire to offer
through you 10 your sister the apology
she would not receive. ! was tempted
beyond my strength from beholdlng
the most beautiful. the most engaging
woman have ever seen. After
have killed you | shall renew my suit,
restraining myself so that my inten-
lions shall not DE mistaken"
senorita Sierra-for II was She had
sword in her hand. which ut these
words she let fall TO the ground.
Mansfield advanced, took her hand.
lrnlA. Lnr t.AnIIL ~ HIM Ia ..llknLI