The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-12-18

lHhL ever bleppcu -lauSulnP Diue eyes
roguish red lips and n skin with just
the least touch Of brown where the
fiery Texas sun had kissed IT, And
there wasn't 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 pos
itively couldn't move without having
some Of Nelly's suitors buzzlng about
him, for, you see, we were all so keen
on getting her that we couldn't afford
! to let the other fellows steal a march
on us by making friends at court. But
! In spite OF all our efforts Solomon him
! self couldn't have told which one OF us
she fayored-if she favored any one at
! all
She had laugh and smile for
every one OF us--but az to q prefer
10 worry us, used to say that the right
man hadn't arrived yet, and we boys
would feel for our pistols and hint
that II he wasn't n born and bred
James County man the stranger would
find things unhealthy for him.
There were, 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 exception lie was Juan Soln, n
Mexican frOr' yer the border--a rcgu-
lar fiery Spanish "greaser" of the old
style. He was n magnificent horscman,
and to see him come laundering up TO
the Warden ranCh-big silver spurs,
silver worked saddle and bride and
jaunty hat-made us fellows green
with jealousy when we thought Of our
sorry steeds and string ana leather
equipment Still. Juan didn't get on
any better than the rest of us. He
was always welcome; SO were we. He
stopped TO dinner or tea. 30 did we.
And he went away no forrarder.
But as time went on we noticed that
the Mexican was not exactly contented
with the progress he was making in
his wooing. His was one of those
impetuous natures which brook no OBJ
stacles and it CALLED him 10 think that
he. Juan Sola. owner Of a big ranch,
the handsomest man on the border,
who could have had any dNrk-eycd
Mexican senorta he chose for his wife,
could not make Roadway with the little
blue.eyed Nelly Warden. And we saw
that he scowled blackly at times as he
rode home over the bOrt.er,
And so the days passed away. until
one night jim Warden-that was Mel
ly's eldest brother-camc to my shanty
In a high state of excitement
"Dick." said he dropping into n chair
and mopping the perspiratlon from his
face. "T've got n most extraordinary
bit Of news for you. Juan Sola is going
to elope with Nell"
"Elope with Nclr | roared "You
mean she's going to marry him? Has
She"
STEADY, old man." said Jim, with n
smilc. Perhaps didn't ought to have
put it that way. But now listen; Pm
serious was down at San Roca about
some horses to-day. and who should l
meet there but Pete. one of Sola's ser
wants. You remember him? The man
dragged away from that mad bull
last year"
| nodded.
"Well, the old chap scmecd confused
at seeing me- and IL seemed TO me
somehow that he'd got something on
his mind. At first. when | asked him
what was amiss, he tried TO pass it
off. but then he suddenly turned 10 me
and told me that he wouldn't have IL
on his conscience to deceive man who
had saved his life. OF course I asked
what on earth he meant about deceiv.
ing me. Then out came his whole
budget. promised him I'd see he
didn't suffer. and came straight on to
see you about the business. To put
it in a nutshell. what he told me was
this: His master has got tired of hang
ing round Nelly without result and he
has resolved to kiduap her, take her
across the border 20 one OF his es.
tancas In the mountains. and there get
priest 10 marry them while we're
hunting around for our poor girl"
Good heavensg' cried. for although
wild dongs took place on the border.
l had never drcamt of anything quite
80 comprehensive as this and when
does this game come offT"
Jim leaned forward. ~
Tomorrow night. my boy" he said.
impressively. Juan SclN and two ser.
wants are to wait for Nelly as she
rides across 10 Mcllor's f6r hrr music
lesson. she always gees alone. as the
villain knows. and the job can be doac
aS easy as winking."
'She mustn't stir out. that's all" I
said, hastily. "Great Scott. what can
we DO 20 the fellow -.' nh
My dear chap" said JIM "if We
simply content ourselves with keeping
Nelly safe under lock and key we can
do nothing 10 him. because we lack
proof. But I've got a scheme
He broke OF and eliuckied{-it
"out with it,. man. cried, for his
merriment nettled me tIH
we must go through with the kid
naping business, that's ALL he said.