Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1917-07-26
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AROMANCF OF
OLDMfXICO
Shh.NAN LOAN
NOVELIZED FROM THE PHO
TOPLAY SERIAL OF THE
SAME, NAME RELEASED BY
THE UNIVERSAL FILM MAN
UFACTURINC COMPANY
Thirteenth EPISODE
Strife and Sorrow.

For an instant Liberty stood dazed,
as she stared at the two motionless
figures at her feet. The face of Man
uel was unchanged: in death it was
still wicked and dangerous. He had
paid the price for his wrongs. The
girl shrank from the terrible stare on
his countenance. Then she stopped
and raised the Mexican shawl which
hid the face of the woman. 1t was
ThereseI The rays of the moon fell
across her countenance and the beau
tiful features seemed wrapped in pea ce
and contentment. At last, she had won
her battle for Manuel. He was hers in
death She had paid the highest price
for her love, only to lose it. Hers had
been selfish, and yet. sacrificing
affection, which had demanded of her
the greatest payment, and she had met
it when it came due.
Liberty stopped and picked up the
gun, which Therese still clutched in
her hand, and then drew back in nor
ror- 1t was her own pistol which she
had threatened Manuel with few
minutes beforel He had thrown 1t
through the window, before he grabbed
her. ThereSe must have been watch
ing his movements, and probably fol-
lowed him to the hut, and, enraged
with jealousy when she saw him start
to grasp Liberty in his arms. had pick
ed up the gun and fired. Liberty was
certain it was not fear. resulting from
the realization of her crime, that had
caused the Mexican woman to take her
own life. The women of the border
are not as weak as that. 1t was in
spired by the mad love of slave for
her master; the climax of a love that
had torn the poor girls heart to pieces
and left her poor mental and phySi-
cal wreck. She had surrendered to
Manuel everything it was possible for
woman to give man, and. now that
she had collected the debt. all her
earthly bills had been paid, and there
was nothing left for her to live for,
so she had chosen the only way.
When the Mexican soldiers. who had
heard the pistol shots in the little hut
ran up and entered the place they
found Liberty standing over the body
of Therese, with the smoking pistol in
her hand.
$50, this is what you do?' inquired
one of them as he snatched the gun
from Liberty'S hand and examined it,
He was Il big. gruff fellow, with pierre
ing black eyes and his great sombrero
rested low on his coarse shaggy hair
Like the rest of them. he carried a
cartridge belt and an usly-looking
knife, besides his rifle. All of them
looked disSipated and degenerated, and
their clothes were as Soiled and as
stained as their miserable souls. AS
Liberty gazed at them she realized
why Mexico had suffered so during the
past few years.
"Why you kill 'em?" questioned the
leader of the little group as he turned
to Liberty.
She was dazed for the moment and
unable to answer. Then, when she
finally realized the Importance of the
accusation, she spoke.
Il did not do it," she replied.
The Mexican doubted her. Huh.
they never do" he sneered
Don't you dare accuse me of this
crime :" she exclaimed as she faced The
fellow.
Me no have to do that: the gun it
tell" and he pointed to her initials on
the barrel of 1t.
1T is my gum" she admitted HE
came IN here, and she pointed to
the body of the man at her feet
land needed it to protect myself. But,
he managed to grab it from me and
threw it out of the window. 1t was
probably picked up by this woman,
who was his sweetheart For, she
came through the door and shot him.
and then turned the gun on herself"
"She his wife," spoke up one of
them. whom Liberty recognized as one
of her old ranch hands.
"Ah. SO he had gringo wffe?" sneered
the leader as he glanced Mt the body
of Manuel Then he turned again to
Liberty. rs that sop
Yes. but 1 did not love him. an
swered Liberty. Il hated him. l was
his wife in name only"
Il tell you what happen" said the
big fellow. His sweetheart come to
- him an you shoot BOTH
A Difference.