The professional world. (Columbia, Mo.) 1901-192?, 1902-08-15
nounced them man and wife and sealed

~ INV "iAS INV oNoANN
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, @
muffled form stole upon them from be-
hind. A knife blade 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.
l will follow. Some day | will have
your life for this life of mine you have
taken"
From that fatal night the tender
hearted girl was transformed into a
Nemesis-a 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 wander
1ngs of the murderer. To battle pur-
suit, he made a detour into the noun
tains. He fled through uninhabited
wastes. But ever his course hauled to-
wards the Rio Grande. And ever his
remorseless pursuer rode hard upon his
tracks.
Has an ugly fellow with a cut across
his check 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 a deer, she kept the trial
with dogged persistency. Three weary
weeks dragged by and she met a peon in
the road.
Hast thou seen a swarthy man with
a 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 shoulder
ing among the faggots. Beyond her in
the distance cleaned the silver loops
and reaches of the Rio Grande. Across
its waters, in shadowy perspective
stretched the land under the flag of the
American republic. To the fugitive il
was a vision of hope, reckoning 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 he reckoned. OF the
pretty Nemesis that bounded him he
was as yet in ignorance. AS an ele-
ment of danger she did not enter into
his calculations.
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 a
beast of prey as he plunged his horse
n the stream and forded over to the
American shore. AS his dripping steed
cllmbed the northern bank the mar
smiled complacently in the thought
that with Mexico and the past behind
him he was safe at last. The cheeks of
the girl on the distant hill grew red.
Her eyes danced with murderous joy.
Mr.. Ramon" purred the pretty tig-
ress, you would better say your pray
ers. For you there is no escape"
In a saloon on the Texas border Ra-
mon Gonzales sat playing faro. Mex
lean Pete kept cases beside him. In
the midst of the deal Susie's form dark
ened h doorway. In her hand she
held a s~iX-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 ter
ror. He rose weakly to his feet. He
tottered like a drunken nan as he stood
there clutching for support at the ia
BILE and the back of the chair.
"Madre de Dios!" he muttered, with
ashen lips. Have mercy"
Susie said not a word. She brought
her pistol to a level with a steady
nerve. There was a sudden leap of
flame from its 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 Mexican
Pete and Eusie slipped off to a justice
Of the peace and were married.
I'm half afraid of YOU" said Pete,
with a twinkle in his eyes 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 I'm beso," said Susie,
fOndly. 81 shall kill Won Onlv with