Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-09-29

ELY WARDEN was Ane DelAe
nj Of James county; there could be
no doubt Of that. Some said Of
the whole of Texas; but that was
more predetermined.
No one denied, however that she was
one of the prettiets little maids that ever
stenped-laughing blue eyes. roguish red
lips and a skin with just the least touch
Of brown where the fiery Texas sun had
kissed II. And there wasn't a boy In that
section that wouldn't have given his right
hand for that same privilege. But she
would have none OF us, though goodness
Knows we hung round the Warden ranch
In a most disgustingly obvious manner.
Her three big brothers never wanted
for chums. and her poor old father posi-
lively couldn't move without having some
Of NelIy's suitors buzzing about him, for
you see. we were all so keen on getting
her that we couldn't AFFORD TO let the 9TH
er fellows steal a march on us by making
friends at court But In spite OF all our
efforts Solomon himself couldn't have told
which one Of US she favored-if she favor
ed any one at all.
She had laugh and a smile for every
one of us-but as TO a preference! Some
OF the married men, just TO worry US, used
70 say that the right man hadn't arrived
vet and we boys would feel for our pis-
tolls and hint that IL he wasn't born and
bred James county man the stranger
would find things unhealthy for him.
There were. 1 should say, about eight
OF US boys who wanted to marry Nelly
Warden, and. in spite of our rivalry, we
were all pretty good friends. with one ex-
ception He was Juan Sola. a Mexican
frcn over the border-a regular fiery
Spanish 'greaser' OF the old style. He
wSs a magnificent horseman. and to see
him come laundering up to the Warden
Ell vvnrtrpH sad
ole and bride, and jaunty hat-made us
fellows green with jealousy when we
thought OF our sorry steeds and string and
leather equipment. Still, Juan didn't get
on any better than the rest of us. He was
always welcome: so were we. He stop
ped 10 dinner or tea; so did we. And he
went away no fOrrarder.
tut as time went on we noticed that
the Mexican was not exactly contented
with the progress he was making I'm his
wOoing. His was one of those impetuous
natures which brook no obstacles. and 1t
CALLED him 10 think that he. Juan Sofa,
owner OF a big ranch, the .handsomest man
on the border, who could have had any
daTk-eyed Mexican senorita he chose for
his wife. could not make Roadway with
the little blue-eyed Nelly Warden. And
we saw that ne scowled blackly al times
as he rode home over the border.
And so the days passed away, until one
night Jim Wsrden-that was Nelly's eld-
est brother-came to my shanty in high
state OF excitement.
Tick" said he, dropping in to a chair
and hopping the perspiration from his
face. I've got a most extraordinary bit
of news for you. Juan Sola is going to
elOpe with Nelli'
"Elope with NelIw I roared You
mean she's going to marry him? Has
she"
Steady. old man." said Jim, with a
smile. Perhaps 1 didn't ought TO have
put il that way. But now listen-Im Sc
rious. I was down at San Roca about
some horses today, and who should 1
meet there but Pete, one of Sola's ser
wants. You remember him? The man 1
dragged away from that mad bull last
year
I nodded.
We'll. the old chap seemed confused at
seeing me. and IL seemed TO me somehow
that he'd got something on his mind.
At first. when I asked him what was
amiss. he tried to pass IL or but then he
suddenly turned 10 me and told me that
he wouldn't have II on his conscience to
deceive a man who had saved his life OF
course / asked him what on earth he
meant about deceiving me. Then out
came his whole budget. I promised him
I'd see he didn't suffer. and came straight
on to see you about the business To put
I
His master has got tired of hanging round
Nelly without result and he has resolved
70 kidnap her. take her across the border
TO one OF his estancias in the mountains.
and there get a priest to marry them
while were hunting around for our poor
girl"
Good heavens" I cried. for although
wild dOings took place on the border.
mad never dreamt OF anything quite so
comprehensive as this. And when does
this game come Off?"
Jim leaned forward.
Tomorrow night. my boy" he said,
impressively. Juan Sola and two serv-
ants are 10 wait for Nelly as she rides
across TO Mellor's for her music lesson.
She always goes alone, as the william
knows. and the Job can be done as easy
as winking"
"she mustn't stir out. that's ALL" said
hastily. Great Scott! what can we do