The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-01-06

NSN El Wnole OF IeNas, nut tnat
was more problematical.
No one denied however, that she
was one of the prettiest little maids
that ever stepped-laughing blue eyes.
roguish red lips and a skin with just
the least touch of brown where the
fiery Texas sun had kissed it. And
there wasn't q 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 i'm n 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 favorcd-if she favored any one at
ALL
She had n laugh and a smile for
every one of us-but as to a prefer
encel Some of the married men. just
to worry us, used to say that the right
man hadn't arrived yet, and we boys
would feel for our pistols and hint
that If 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. He was Juan Sola. a
Mexican from over the border-a regu-
lar fiery Spanish ''greaser" of the old
style. He was magnificent horseman,
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 and leather
equipment. Still, Juan didn't get on
any better than the rest of us. He
was always welcome; 80 were we. He
stopped to dinner or tea; so 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 woolrg. His was one of those
lmpetuous natures which brook no OBJ
stacles, and it CALLED him to think that
he, Juan Sola. owner of big ranch,
the handsomest man on the border,
who could have had any dark-eyed
Mexican senorita he chose for his wife,
.ould not make headwGy with the little
blue-eyed Nelly Warden. And we saw
that he scowled blackly at times as he
rode home over the borGer.
And so the days passed away, until
one night Jim Warden-that was Mel
ly's eldest brother-came to my shanty
In high state of excitement.
"Dick," said he. dropping into n chair
and mOpping the perspration from his
face. 'I've got most extraordinary
bit of news for you. Juan Sola is going
to elope with Nell!"
'Elope with Nellw / roared. "You
mean she's going to marry him? Has
she"
STEADY. old man." said Jim, with n
smile. perhaps 1 didn't ought to have
put 1t that way. But now listen; I'm
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.
IN nI hon f,tc nd
at seeing me. and it seemed TO me
somehow that he'd got something on
his mind. At first, when l asked him
what was amiss, he tried to pass il
of, but then he suddenly turned to me
and told me that he wouldn't have it
On his conscience to deceive man who
had saved his life. OF course / asked
what on earth he meant about deceiv-
ing 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
1t in nutshell. what he told me was
this: His master has got tired of hang,
ing round Nelly without result. and he
has resolved to kidnap her, take her
across the border to one of his es
fancias in the mountains. and there gel
a priest to marry them while we're
hunting around for our poor girl"
''G00d heavensv' cried, for although
wild doings took place on the border
had never dreamt of anything quite
90 comprehensive as this. "And wheI
does this game come Off?"
Jim leaned forward.
Tomorrow night. my boy" he said
smpressively. Juan Sola and two ser
wants are to wait for Nelly as she
RIDES across to Mellor's for her music
1ssson. She always goes alone. a. th'