Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-10-03

scented note thrust In his breast, when
his dignifed steps were vastly acceler-
ated by huge Mexican bloodhound
suddenly materializing among the
bushes at the other end of the garden,
and plunging headlong alter him.
Mexican beauty might be following
i'm and would have fain preserved his
dignity during his retreat. But he
found it expedient to change his will
after one sweeping glance into the ca
pacious req mouth of the canine mon
ster that had been so quick to resent an
intrusion on his masters private
grounds.
Leo, for once, babe dignity hasty
farewell and vaulted the fence in the
very face of his savage foe. He just
barely made his escape and that was
all. He congratulated himself, as he
hastily entered the wing of the hacien
da, that the Mexican dress he wore
had no superiority of coat tails to have
suffered an inglorious diminution in
length.
Safe within the quarters which had
been reluctantly assigned to him and
his companions, Leo broke the seal of
the dainty little note, and perused with
eager eyes the fnelv-written lines:
SENIORS AMERICANOs: This is penned you by
an unfortunate maiden, who, believing in your
nobleness OF soul, impores your help to save
her from cruel fate.
Ny father, the ranchero, who reluctantly per-
mits you to pass the night here, intends to force
me to wed, this night. an officer, in the army OF
MaximiIan man whom most vehementy de-
tes': but he holds some great power over my
father and am to be the victim to annul that
power.
The man truly love is Ell Captain Eznaldo.
one of the bravest in the army OF our chief,
Juarez. | desire to flee to the protection of my
lover and l implore your aid that may do SO.
The ceremony is to be held at 10 O'Clock to-
night, when the detested man. Col. Henrique
Fernandez will be here to claim me.
He dare not enter into the lines of Juarez ex
cept under cover of deep night. The little
chapel which you may easily see from the wing
which you occupy, is the place where the mar
rage rites are to be performed
In writing this, good brave Seniors EAmerican-
os, appeal to your goodness of heart to save me
from this living death, and in so doing you
will ever receive the sincere prayers OF poor un-
happy TULA VELAsoUEz.
P. s.-My trusty maid, Zela will have horses
ready in the grove beyond the garden, and we
will beg to fly under your protection to that of
my noble Ezualda. lula V.
Leo read the letter through several
times, then said to himself:
''Tula Velasquez and this girl who
appeals to us is the very same of whom
SO often in such lofty praise. Verify, it
is all so strange But am willing to
take any risk to protect a lady from
such an unwelcome fate as a forced
marriage. This is promise of adven
ture," and he reused his sleeping COM
rades and read Tula's letter to them.
The party was composed Of young
men of adventurous spirits, and most of
them knew the handsome Eznaldo in
Juarez's army, and were ready to en-
gage in any combat or undertaking,
however daring, if in SO doing they
could serve that young officer or the
girl he loved.
Accordingly they made all things
ready and waited for the hour of 10 to
roll round.
Leo was on his watch at the window,
and when. at last, he beheld the bridal
party moving swiftly and silently as
specters toward the chapel, he gave the
signal to his companions to follow him.
They filed out of the wing, and very
soon the wedding party was joined by
six unlimited guests.
The ranchero, that was leading the
lovely. but unwilling lula, halted near
the door of the chapel and looked over
his shoulder. Perhaps he had detect
ed the tread of the Americans, though
thev arrived almost noiselessly.
At the same time TALL middle-aged,
grizzly bearded Mexican officer, Hen
rique Fernandez, the would-be bride
groom, who was little in advance ofthe
bride, became aware of the Americans
presence. The officer, Fernandez, was
attended by two younger officers, and
all were dressed in the most gorgeous
uniforms. The party stopped. Fer
nandez, in an imperlous voice, de-
handed:
No1o L ,lx
quested that this ceremony should be
free from all intrusion. Who are the
strangers ?"
The moon, ere this, had lowered her
self behind the bold range of noun
tains in the west, hence the dim out
lines only Of the intruders could be
made out, but nothing of faces nor dress
could be distinctly seen.
''It is the Seniors Americanos," re-
piled the savage voice Of Nelasquez.
why are you here, senors ?'' he de-
manded.
don Velasquez," replied Leo, step
ping boldly before the ranchero, s'you
are cruelty forcing your child to marry
this night, one whom her soul detests,
while her heart is in the keeping of the
brave Eznaldo of Juarez's army. 1t is
to save lula Velasquez from the evil
are here"
With a glad cry lula Velaseuez tore
herself away from her fathers side and
rushed up to Leo just as he struck
the revolver, which the Mexican of
fcer had leveled at him, from his
hand.
Quickly leveling 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 for
hidden to use mis- voice, SO he called to
Velasquez, who, at first, was too dazed
at the very unexpected attack to move.
'Don Velasquez, call upon your SER
wants for help; inform my men with
out %
The young officers vino had accom-
panied Fernandez had all they
could do in a hand-to-hand struggle
with two robust Americans However