Wichita eagle., 1888-10-16

~ r
Deg 60 ~ under your psosectaon to that OF my
noble Eznaldo. TrIA Y.
Leo read the letter through several times,
then he said to himself:
''Tula Velasquex And this girl who ap-
peals to Us for assistance Is the very same Of
whom have heard my friend Exnaldo speak
SO often in such lofty praise. Verify, 1t Is all
50 stransel But l am willing to take any
risk to protect lady from such an unwel-
come fate as q forced marriage. This il
promise Of adventure" and be reused his
sleeping comrades and read TulAs letter to
them
The party was composed Of young men Of
adventurous spirits, and noost of them knew
the handsome EmaIde in Juarez's army, and
were ready to engage in any eomba. or IN
dertaking. however daring, il in 50 doing
they could serve tiae young officer or the
girl b. loved
Accordingly, they made Ell things ready
and waited for the hour Of ten to roll round
Leo was On his watch at the window, and
when, at last, be beheld the bridal party
moving swiftly and silently a. specters to
ward the chapel. he gave the signal to his
companions to follow him. They fled
orderly out of the wing. and very soon the
wedding party was joined BY six unlimited
guests
The rancharo, that was leading the lovely
but unwilling lula, halted near the door Of
Perhaps be had detected the tread of tho
Americans, though they arrived almost
noiselessly.
- al
grizzly bearded Mexican officer, Henrique
Fernandez, the would be bridegroom, who
was little in advance of the bride, became
aware Of the Americans presence. The off,
Ger, Fernandez, was attended by two younger
officers, and all were dressed in the most gor-
geous uniforms. The party stopped. Fer
nandez, in an imperious voice, demanded:
'Don Velasquez, particularly requested
that this ceremony should be free from all
intrusionl Who are the strangers!'
The moon ere this had lowered herself be
hind a bold range of mountains in the west,
hence the dim outlines only of the intruders
could be made out, but nothing OF faces nor
dress could be distinctly seen
ST is the Seniors Anericanos," replied the
savage voice Of Velasquez. why are you
here, senorsa" he demanded
''Don Velasquez," replied Leo. stepping
boldly before the ranchAro, you are cruelty
forcing your child to marry, this night, one
whom her soul detests, while her heart is in
tho keeping of the brave Eznaldo of Juarezs
army 1t is to save lula Velasquez from the
evil fate you have selected for her that we
are here"
With glad cry Tula Velasouez tore her
self away from her fathers side and rushed
up to Leo just as he struck the revolver,
which the Mexican officer had leveled at
him, from his hand.
Quickly ieveling his own revolver in the
face of Henrique Fernandez, he said: You
are my prisoner, Col Fernandez Stir from
your tracks at your peril"
The Mexican officer knew that he was no
match for the young American, and one
glance was sufficient to show him that the
least resistance would invite his death. But
he had not been forbidden to use his voice,
so he called to Velasquez, who, at first, was
too dazed at the very unexpected attack to
move.
Don Velasquez, call upon your servants
for help; inform my men withoutT
The young officers who had accompanied
Fernandez had all they could do in a hand
to hand struggle with two robust Americans.
However, the struggle was of short duration,
and the kexicanS soon surrendered.
The ranchero gave weak call for help,
which some of the men servants quickly an
swered.
A sort Of melee commenced. There was
scene Of confusion by the little chapel door.
Pistol shots rang out on tho still night cir.
The women in attendance shrieked and fed
%In xr-l,.. Il
unmoved in the chapel door. shouted in vain
to be heard above tho din
In the height of it all, Leo, with a severe
wound in bis left arm, received he scarcely
knew how, cut his way out dragging Col
Fernandez, prisoner still, with him. lula
Velasque8 and Leila, her maid, were near
him, and the other Americans soon came
after, bringing the two officers that had boen
captured.
''Here, through the garden to yon grovei"
whispered Tula to Leo. 1--WE shall find
horses there for our escape Go not By the
front entrance, as soldiers left on the plaza
by Col. Fernandez will again oppose US"
It required little timo 20 reach the grove
pointed out by lula Velasqnez- As she lad
promised, they found their horses ready for
them. Zela, with the assistance of her lover,
one Of the ranchero's servants, had attended
to that part. They soon mounted and started
briskly away through the grove, the shouts
of the Mexican soldiers, who were trying to
find their route Of escape ringing il their cara
When at last their trail was discovered the
gave them hot chase for q short
But they bad the prudence to re-
Iincuish the pursuit as they were being
drawn within q short way from Juarcz's
camp.
Leo and hscompanions dashed into camp,
where the lovely lula was placed under the
charge Of Eznaldo, and the prisoners sur
rerded to Juarez himself. who found in Col.
Fernandez toe whom be had long desired
to capture.
Leo Gordon's wound was 50 Obstinate in
healing that ne was compelled to leave the
service. Before he had quit Mexico, bow
ever, he saw lula Velasquez and Eznaldo
happily made one Three years after, when
Leo returned 70 visit bis friends IN Mexico. he
mot Eznaldo's handsome and accomplished
sister, vaIetta- a love sprang up between
them, ard they we-e soon married, Leo
bringing his bride to dwell on the hanks Of the
Blade.
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