The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1904-01-06
An Interrupted Elopement.
LOVE STORY OF THE TEXAS BORDER.

said hastily. Great Scott, what can
we do TO the fellow?"
"NIy dear chap" said Jim, 'if we
simply content ourselves with keeping
| Nelly safe under lock and key we can
do nothing TO him. because we lack
proof. But I've got scheme"
He broke off and chuckled.
"Out with it. manr' l cried, for his
merriment nettled me.
I'VE must go through with the kid
naping business. that's all!' he said,
becoming suddenly sober.
what! Let Nelly get takenw /
cried.
Yes, and no." said Jim. his eyes
dancing with merriment at my bewild-
erment. Juan shall kidnap somebody.
if he can-but it won't be Nelly. See?"
I'm hanged if l do" l said. "Who
should he take. if not Nclly?"
Wen provide some one" said Jim.
You blockhead! Don't you under
stand? Somebody must play Nelly,
for this occasion only. Then when our
gay Mexican rides up to start his girl
lifting lay. we chime in and trot out
our part of the play. And, by Jove"
lie added. grimly. "I've got some
mighty pretty lines in my act"'
Dawn was now breaking in upon me.
Put who was going to pretend to be
Nell?' l asked. ITS going TO be a
mighty unhealthy part. Sola's not
man to stand any monkey tricks, and
he's very handy with his guns"
4
shot. and he's more than likely TO get
mad when he realizes he's been fooled
and won't be able to show his nose this
side of the border again. 1t can't be
q girl. Dick. it's too risky. She'd be
| just as likely to stop bullet as one of
us. If know anything of the greaser."
Yes said l, that rather beats us,
| doesn't it;'
Not bit of it." replied Jim. Then
he looked at me critically. 1--WE got
it, he cried. "You shall play Nelly,
Dickr'
"AIe" I said, and my voice was so
strange that Jim roared again.
"Yes-you." he continued. you've
got n slight, girlsh figure, my boy
don't hit me.-your face IS innocent of
hair. and you'll make an Al girl when
we've done with YOU. Wen borrow one
of Nells gowns and her big flop hat
and n wig out of the box we had for
the theatrlcals last spring, and your
own mother wouldn't know you."
Don't talk rubbish. Jimr' l said.
hotly. "Do You think l am n fool?
What sort of a freak should l look got
up like that?"
Were playing for n big stake" said
Jim, becoming grave again; 'and If
we come out all right you ought to
stand in for something. l like you,
Dick. and | should like TO see you get
our Nell. Don't you think If you and
I pull this through it'll send you up
i'm her estimation? You do as | tell
you. my boy, and I'll be your best man
yet"
From that moment l was as wax in
his hands.
The time had come. Miss Nelly
Warden, otherwise Dick Travers. at
tired in her pretty blue print gown
and her big flop hat. which effectually
concealed her face, set out on her black
mare to ride to the house of old Ma am
Morrell. who gave music lessons. Miss
Nelly rode side-saddle-but between
You and me l found 1t uncomfortable,
and my own wouldn't set straight
somehow around about where l had
got my two six-shooters tucked.
l didn't feel happy. l knew that
away down the trail somewhere Jim
and Tom Warden were waiting, their
pistols on the cock. The old servant
told Jim pretty exactly the spot where
the ambush would be laid. and Jim
and Tom had arranged so as TO be on
hand when wanted. Still, things might
go wrong. and If so I stood to get a
couple of leaden pellets through my
head instead of leading Nelly Warden
to the altar. For Juan Sola had way
of shooting on sight when he got mad
and then his vicinity became distinctly
unhealthy.
Hark! What was that? A scurry In
! the underbrush. a rush of men and
horses, and a cloak had been thrown
over my head and was dragged back
ward OF my horse to the ground. Some
very unladylike exclamations which
let drop as struggled to escape were
fortunately lost in the confusion.
Then came the thud Of hoofs, and
heard Jim's voice demanding what was
+, amiss. For answer came an oath IL
Sola's voice. and a rough command tt
stand out Of the way.
"What's that behind you?" cried Jim
"Great heavens, you villain, is that my
sister?"
: Apparently he made one step towart
} the Mexican. who threw out his arm
, and fired at him. and with a groar
poor Jim drop---". Quick ~ lightning