The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1915-03-25

THE SHERO"
Written by
Adah Bradley, Jordan, N. M.


Susan looked up from her knitting
to her cousin Betsy, curled up in a
huge leather chair, reading a novel.
"Betsy!"
"Yes?" Betsy raised her hesd.
"Billy's been payin' right smart
attention to We, hasn't he?"
Betsy said nothing.
well, l just want to tell ye," con
tinued Susan, shat il amt no sign
he's in love with ye."
"who said IL vast" Betsy tilted her
curly head saucily to n side.
well, l say it ANTI" retorted
Susan. "Billy's parents don't like you,
noway. His wife should be a good,
honest woman, who could help him
out"
For instance-you?"
II amt speakin' Of myself"
Then, who?"
mo one in particular" Susan re-
piled. looking angrily at her city
cousin. There's a good many like
that-but, as n matter of fact, / Am
like that but | know something else.
too"
"Well?"
81 know-that is, | heard" she
paused.
what"
THAT you two had met in the city
and that you would not "a come here
If it hadn't "a been for him."
"0h, | can't prevent gossip" said
Betsy, carelessly. by the way, who
told you that"
"Billy's W motherl" Susan brot
it out triumphantly.
How did she know so much, I'd
like to know"
"I reckon she guessed. Ye know,
Betsy, We just as good as admitted
that it was true, right then"
"Susan!"
aye did,"
PLEASE"
Pretty hard hit" sneered Susan.
Say, Betsy. what's n female hero?"
"a WHAT"
"a female HERO?"
Why"
Answer that question, IL We pleased
snapped Susan.
II should think you'd know"
Are we goin' TO answer me
"No. | leave you to guess"
Susan wrinkled her brow, as in
deep thought.
"A shero!" she said at last.
"Wha-at?"
"A shero."
A mischievous smile curved Betsy's
red lips.
81 suppose So" she said Indifferent
ly, and resumed her novel.
Susan crossed the room and took
the book from her, flinging il into n
corner.
II want you to listenl"
Don't tear it up" pleaded Betsy.
cycling the shattered book longingly.
IL don't care, l want We to listen"
said Susan.
I'm listen. What's your subject? ?"
BILLY"
Can you think of nothing else ?"
"No, | can't" Then Susan began
on her subject. "Once Billy's mother
spoke of him as a hero and said:
'Billy's a hero, and / hope he will
marry n girl as brave as he
Are you?"
More so than you!"
Every likely"
IL haven't done nothin' brave, of
course, but | mean to-"
I'm afraid you'll be too late"
What"
You'll be too late"
Wen see"
"0f course we'll see. What's that?
Your fathers coming
The sound of cursing and swearing
came through the open doorway, and
in another moment Susan's father en-
tered the room.
Betsy he said. with an oath, 81
got a few words to say to we, my girl.
Many will be the day afore ven do
sich a trick as this again."
Father" gasped Susan.
The man softened as he turned to
his daughter.
Never mind, Sukey, it's nothing.
This way Betsyl"
They left the room together.
Susan sank into a chair and cover
ed her face with her hands.
Shes got him! She's got him."
came in inarticulate sounds from be-
tween her clenched teeth.
An hour passed.
susan reused herself and looked
out. N moon had risen, and had
turned the snow-covered world into
a paradise. Susan gazed i~ntently.
A small dark figure glided away