The Savannah morning news., 1901-09-23
Our Daily Short Stories
SUSIE.
BY WALTER NOBLE BURNS
Copyright. 1901. by Authors syndicate)

padre at the altar as he pronounced
them man and wife and sealed the
union with his benediction.
"Ah, Juan" whispered Susie, nest
ling closer, how happy we will be-"
While they dreamed of the joy that
awaited them with the coming day,
muffied form stole upon them from
behind. A knifeblade CLEANED in the
moonlight. With a cry, Juan leaped
into the air and fell dead at his sweet
hearts feet.
"Cowardly Ramon!" Susie cried into
the darkness after the murderer.
though you fly to the ends of the
earth, I will follow. Some day l will
have your life for this life of mine
you have taken"
From that fatal night the tender
hearted girl was transformed into
Nemesis pretty Nemesis with red
cheeks and bright eyes, but full of a
grim, relentless purpose. At dawn
she buckled a pistol about her waist,
mounted her pony and set out alone.
The trail led northward 1t was no
easy matter to follow the devious
wanderings of the murderer. TO
battle pursuit he made detour into
the mountains. He fed through unin-
habited wastes. But even his course
hauled towards the Rio Grande. And
ever his remorseless pursuer rode hard
upon his traces.
Has an ugly fellow with a cut
across his cheek gone this way? she
asked the country folk.
He passed two days ago." they an
swered.
That was in the days when the hunt
was young. AS a bloodhound follows
the slot of deer, she kept the trail
with logged persistency. Three weary
weeks dragged by and she met a peon
in the road.
Hast thou seen a swarthy man
with scar ride by?" she questioned
AYE" the peasant replied, perhaps
he is two hours beyond thee
Next morning she came upon his
campfire still smoking and smolder-
ing among the faggots. Beyond her
in the distance cleaned the silver
loops and reaches of the Rio Grande.
Across its waters, in shadowy per-
spective, stretched the land under the
flag of the American republic. To the
fugitive it was a vision of hope, beck
oning as with visible finger to a haven
of refuge and rest. The Mexican law
stopped at the rivers southern edge.
1t was with the law alone that ne
reckoned OF the pretty Nemesis that
bounded him he was as yet in igno-
rance. AS an element of danger she
Upon a far-off hilltop Susie drew
rein as she caught sight of her quarry
for the first time in the long chase.
She watched him with the greedy look
of beast of prey as he plunged his
horse into the stream and forded over
to the American shore. AS his drip
ping steed climbed the northern bank
the man smiled complacently in the
thought that with Mexico and the past
hphind he was 70 ot Tha
cheeks of the girl on the distant hill
grew red. Her eyes danced with MUIR
derous joy.
Mr.. Ramon" purred the pretty
tigress, you would better say your
prayers. For you there is no escape
In saloon on the Texas border Ra-
mon Gonzales sat playing faro. Mexi-
can Pete kept cases beside him. In the
midst of the deal Susie's form dark
ened the doorway. In her hand she
held six-shooter.
''Ha," laughed Mexican Pete, glanc-
ing up from the play, what does the
little woman with the big revolver
want?"
Ramon turned quickly toward her.
At the vision that confronted him his
face blanched, his eyes dilated with
terror. He rose weakly to his feet. He
tottered like a drunken man as he
the table and the back of the chair.
"Madre de Dios!" he muttered, with
ashen lips. Have mercy
Susie said not word. She brought
her pistol to a level with a steady
nerve. There was sudden leap of
flame from it's muzzle. Her bullet
found him squarely between the eyes
and he fell dead across the layout.
The season of the Wild West show
ended in a town in New England. Be-
fore starting back for their home in
Texas down by the Rio Grande Mexi-
can Pete and Susie slipped off to a JUS
ice of the peace and were married.
I'm half afraid of YOU" said Pete,
with a twinkle in his eye as he folded
his bride in his strong arms. Some
day you may take it into your pretty
head to cut another notch on your gun
for me-"
"Te matare con un beso" said Susie.
fondly. 81 shall kill you only with
kisses"