Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1897-10-16
SENORITA SARDELLO'S D0U'
Bile GAME.
A TALE OF THE TEXAS BORDER.
BY COL. PRENTIss INGRAM.
CHAPTER L.

/ 0eHOtlsd ostuO 61iOStAO XIV HSH
dark beauty, her name and her for
tune from her Mexican father, for
her mother was the daughter of an
American army officer who was sta
toned at fort on the Rio Grande.
Though the belle Of the fort, the
pretty American, perfect beauty.
had fallen in love with dashing
Mexican officer, commander of a
regiment of Lancers, and double her
age, and had gone TO his Mexican
home to live.
Sado Sardello, their only child,
had grown up a lovely girl and of a
rare type OF beauty, for she inherit
ed the dark complexion and deer
like eyes of her father, with the gold
en- hair of her mother.
Reared in grand old hacienda,
surrounded by many thousand acres,
and in the midst Of superb scenery,
she had led an out door life from the
cradle, learned to ride, shoot With
deadly aim, and throw lasso like a
cowboy.
Her fathers constant companion
she had been, and yet her mother
had trained her, for she was per-
feet housekeeper when entering her
teens, while she was a skilled must
clan and sang with rare sweetness.
At the age of sixteen che was sent
| to New Orleans to finish her educa-
tion, and after two years returned
home q divinely beautiful and &C.
complished woman.
Who would win her vas the qaes.
ton asked by all, and many were
the snitors she had, though it could
not be said that she really favored
| any OuC III PAL bICulHls
There was one who was most de-,
voted, however, young American
who had met her in New Orleans,
and following her to Mexico had es-
tablished himself in ranch score
OF miles from the Sardello hacienda.
Many said that he was sure to win
her, but what Sada had to say on
the subject not even her father or
mother knew.
Accustomed to take long rides
alone, Sada left home one afternoon
and continued on for miles to point
which she had selected to make a
sketch she intended later to paint.
She had been warned by her faith
err that marauders had lately been in
the country, and had done consider.
able harm in stealing cattle, horses,
and even robbing the haciendas of
those living near the mountain.
Fearless of danger, she rode on,
reached her point of view, htched
her horse, and began to sketch.
She was suddenly startled by dis.
covering that she was not alone.
Five men had suddenly approach.
ed her. All were in the wild dress
of the mountain marauders, and all
masked.
She arose quickly and faced their
leader, who quickly said
'You are the Senorita Sada Sar-
dello, and you are my captive"
She paled, but did not finch. Her
rife hung at her saddle horn some
distance away, and she could but
submit, for she felt that she was in
the hands of the marauders, and
would be held until her father paid
large ransom, for he was known to
be very rich.
81 can but submit, but let me
send word to my father SO as to he
no longer in your vile presence than
is necessary"
II take no ransom for you, Sen.
orita, for you are to become the wife
OF the chief of the band.p
She shrunk back in horror at this,
but ere she could utter ! word to
express her indignation at his words,
there came a shot from a thicket
near, and the man dropped dead at
her feet.
The Others wheeled in fright and
fight to see horseman dash out oil
the thicket, and waving his hand
call out
Come mea, We have them now y
Away the outlaws dashed, an
other shot from Tue horseman wound.