The Hot Springs star. (Hot Spings [Hot Springs], Dakota [Dakota Territory, i.e. S.D.]) 1886-189?, 1889-10-25

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@DoN vELAsouEz. WHY THIS INTRUSION ?"
of his savage toe. He just made his
escape and no more. He congratulated
himself, as he hastily entered their
part of the hacienda. that the Mexican
dress he wore had no s%uperfuous coat
tails to have suffered an inglorious
diminution in length, as it no doubt
would have done.
Safe within the quarters that had
been assigned to him and his compan-
ions Leo broke the seal of the dainty
little note, and with eager eyes perused
the following lines:
SENIORS AMRRIcANos: This 10 written
you by an unfortunate maiden who. believe
to save her from q cruel fate.
NY father, the ranchero. who reluctantly
permits you to pass the night under his
rSoi: is forcing me this night TO we'd an
most vehemently; but he holds some great
power over my father. and I am to be the
victim.
The n I truly love is Ell Captain Ezual-
wv y vi gA10 OItV06b III Out Cutot\ u U0CGZ 81
army. and I Am very DESTROYS OF flying to
his protection.
The ceremony is to be held at 10 O'Clock
Tonight. when that detested man. Col.
my unwilling heart and hand. He dare not
venture within the lines of Juarez, except
under thee Of deep night.
b little chapel. which is opposite the
y Tins igs 2 n9w % oc caIo, is where the mar
In writing this. good. brave Seniors
from this living death. andin doing SO Won
win ever receive tho sincere prayers Of
pG !. s seessgpy sgusty ma az zs Xs1t VIII have
horses ready in the grove beyond the gar
den. and We beg to fiy under: your protec-
Leo read the note over several times
and then said to himself:
@Of course Til do all she asks and
more, too, for my friend, Ezualdo.
This is the girl I have heard the young
officer mention with such deep esteem
so often when we were together in
camp. This promises more romance
than anything it has been my lot to be
mixed up in for q long time. We may
as we'll get ourselves ready, I suppose,
and consult each other in the matter"
So saying, he aroused his sleeping
comrades and told them of lula
velasquez's appeal to them for help
from the cruel union her father was
forcing upon her.
The party happened to be composed
OF young men Of adventurous spirits,
and most Of them knew the handsome,
noble Ezualdo in Juarez's army, and
were willing to engage in any combat
or undertake any enterprise, no matter
how daring, if, in SO doing, they served
him or his chief, Juarez.
They accordingly made themselves
ready and waited for the hour of ten to
roll round.
Leo was on watch at the narrow
window, and when, at last, he saw the
bridal party moving swiftly and as
silently as specters towards the little
chapel, he gave the signal to his COM
panions to follow him. Very soon the
little party was joined by six unlimited
guests.
The ranchero, who was leading the
lovely but unwilling lula, halted
near the door Of the chapel and looked
tread Of the Americans, although they
had arrived almost noiselessly. At
the same time q tall, middle-aged Mex
lean officer. Henrique Fernandez, the
would-be bridegroom, who was q little
in advance Of the bride and her father,
and who was attended by two younger
officers, all dressed in very gorgeous
uniforms, became aware of the attend
ance of the American soldiers. The
party stopped. Henrique Fernandez,
In IN imperious voice, demanded:
Don Velasquez, why this intrusion,
and who are the strangers? I"
The moon had lowered herself be-
hind q bold range Of mountains in the
west ere this, hence only the dim out
lines Of the intruders could be made
ont. and nothing of faces and dress
could be distinctly seen.
at is the Seniors Americanos," re-
piled the savage voice Of Velasquez.
Why are you here. senors?" he de-
msnded..
Leo boldly stepped before the ranch
ero as he replied:
@Don velasquez, you are cruelty
forcing your child to marry one whom
her soul detests, this night, while her
heart is in the keeping Of the brave
Ezualdo, of Juarez's army. It is to
save lula Velasquez from the evil fate
you seek to force upon her that We are
here"
With . glad cry, lula velssquez
tore herself from her fathers side, and
rushed to the side Of Leo Just as-he
he struck the revolver, which the Mexi-
can officer had leveled In his face, from
his hand.
Quickly leveling his own in the face
Of Henrique Fernandez, he said:
4You are my prisoner. Colonel Fer
nandez. Stir from your tracks ct your
The Mexican officer knew he was no
match for the young American, and
one glance had been sufficient to show
him that the least disobedience would
invite his death. But he had mot been
forbidden 70 use his voice, 70 hs yelled
TO Velasques, who seemed too dazed at
the unexpected attack 70 move, sDon
velasques, call upon your servants Sor
hslp. and my msn withoutls
9Tbe young omesrs who had accom-.
yESfAE ~ - 0<rsxTeJ Ill., +AF-t.-