Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-04-11
She

AS soon as he stepped his foot inside
she spoke.
Don't move" she began. "Stay
right where you are"
But, Manuel was not prepared for
such reception, and it annoyed him
immensely. He had come on a very
serious mission this time. and to have
his wife stick a gun under his nose
before he had time to explain, was
indeed irritating.
81 have come to offer you freedom"
he began as he started towards her.
whats the price?" she inquired.
81 cannot talk to you If you are go
ing to keep that ugly-looking gun
pointed at me all the time" said Man
uel.
ut is too bad that you are the type
of man that has to be treated like
that" remarked Liberty.
Just then something outside the win
dow attracted Liberty's attention, and
she lowered her arm. 1t was only for
an instant, but long enough 10 give
the shrewd Manuel an opportunity to
snatch the gun out of her hand and
throw it out of the window.
Now then. I'm going to prove to
you L am not as cruel as you think l
am" he remarked as he stood in front
of her.
Nothing could convince me of that
but a message from heaven" replied
| Liberty.
"Now, listen to me-" began Manuel.
'fou cannot play WITH me any longer.
You are my wife. Whether you think
| so, or not, IL doesn't make any differ
ence in the eyes of the law. / know
YOU hate me. but, you hate me be-
| cause 9Fi Mexican. You do not like
them; you never did, even when you
were little girl. hate them myself
Yes, ! know you are wondering why
l say that. l will tell you. / lived
most of my younger days across the
border; over there In that land. some
people call Gods country. was
summed by the American boys, when
They called me a greaser, and said
there wasn't any decent Mexicans;
| that we were all bad.
Il was a good boy then. and II hurt
me TO have my people spoken of in
such a way. Later, when entered col
lege l found my seat at the rear of
the classroom. l was seldom invited
TO any Of the social functions, and
though / qualified for the track teams
and other athletics. they never let me
/ In. My college life was made miser-
able because of these things, which
caused me great embarrassment. and
made me gradually learn TO hate not
only America, but my own country,
too"
THAT is a poor excuse for becem-
ing an outlaw interrupted Liberty,
who had been listening attentively to
every word.
sit has never occurred to you" re-
turned Manuel. IF it did, you might
feel different about II. There are
many people who think that every
Mexican is bad and not TO be trusted.
They think he lives on chile con carne
and steals all he gets. Well, If he has
that kind Of reputation, the best
thing FOR him TO do is live up to 1t.
| am not a bandit, nor a bad man
Lopez gave ne an opportunity to join
his forces, and. II / refused / was to
be taken out and shot. Life, under
any conditions, Is much pleasanter
than death. That is why / decided to
become his lieutenant. But, now l am
through, and II you will come with me
/ will help You 10 escape. We will
cross the border and go up north.
where we will be safe from these fell
/ lows"
"You do not love me, Manuel" re-
| piled Liberty. Love does not ap-
prove az the things you have done
Love guards and protects. You do not
know what real love is, and cannot
| permit you 10 speak Of 1t TO me: es-
specially In a place like this. II you
loved me you would not hold a condI-
! 'lon over my head. You would free me
even If 1t requested your nn.."
I'll / did that would never see
/ you again." argued Manuel II have
aided IL keeping you a prisoner be-
cause wanted you near me. 1wanted
| to see you, even If / could not be per
/ mitted to have YOU for my own" And
/ he moved slowly towards her, his gaze
I riveted on her countenance. She
seemed to look more beautiful TO him
tonight. Liberty had listened to his
words, which Interested her. Had she
not known him so well she might have
believed what he said, but she was
dlstrustful. Manuel Leon was not the
sort OF a man that women love; Meth
or was he capable of Sowing any wom-
an. He was cruel and selfish. His
every movement showed this. aud his
eyes revealed 1t,
She stood with her back against the
wall of the hut, staring into the face
of the man whom she had married
The rays OF the moon shone through
the little window and fell across his
face; lace that was sensuous aud
continually revealed the evil in his
soul.
For moment he stood, silently star
ment he rushed forward and was just
about 10 clasp her in his arms. when
a shot rang through the air. The next
instant lie doubled up and fell lifeless
at her feet.
Instantly the door was pushed open