Fifteen Western Tales, March 1954 — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

GUNMAN’S WAY . .For several seconds Gilcher’s eyes bored into Pardee’s face. His glance shifted to the wooden handle of the gun which had made Pardee a legend along the border. Then the hard lines of Ed Gilcher’s~face relaxed and a strange unreadable smile softened his mouth. Finally, he said,’ “How well do you know my daughter, Pardee ?”’ “T saw her several times when she was visiting her aunt. She didn’t tell me every- thing about the Double O, but it-didn’t mat- ter, Nothing could have kept me away from Singletree, Gilcher, and nothing can make me leave.” Ed Gilcher pursed his lips and rocked on his toes a few times. He toyed with the diamond stickpin in his tie. “You must have piled up a sizeable bankroll then.”’ Pardee shook his head. “‘Just enough to buy the Double O. When I paid off Jeff Lansing it cleaned me out.” “Then how do you figure to build a cat- tle spread. Marie’s seen too much success to hang on to a failure.” “T’ll take odd jobs,’’ Pardee said firmly. “T’l break horses, fork hay at the livery or swamp for saloon. I’ll buy a cow when I can, Gilcher, but [ll build me a ranch here.” “I’m thinking you wight do all you say you will,” he grunted; almost to himself. “Yessir, I believe you'd give it an honest try.” Seeing the change in the man, Dale Par- dee chewed thoughtfully on the corner of his lower lip. He started to walk away, | hesitating as Ed Gilcher continued to nod — his head gravely. “What does all that mean, Gilcher?”’ Pardee asked suspiciously. “Tt means,’ Gilcher said slowly, “that I'll be seeing you in the morning about day- break.”’ Before Pardee could question him fur- ther, Gilcher strode past him into the barn. Pardee followed him, his deep-tanned face going pale as he studied Gilcher’s retreat- ed ing back. He felt the soft touch of a hand on his arm and turned to find Marie smiling at him. He rubbed his forefinger playfully over the worry lines that blem- ished her wide forehead and returned her smile, “Your old man and. I understand each other: now,” he- said, feasting on the quicde joy his words brought to her eyes. But as he slipped his arms about her and took up - the step of the Chicken Reel, he found Ed Gilcher’s eyes following him. Pardee wished he could believe his own lie. As the dance went on, he did not talk with Marie as much as he would have liked. Couples stopped them frequently to make introductions. The cowboys who had waited outside had heard enough to start everyone buzzing, and before the evening was over Pardee was the object of many glances. They knew about Dale Pardee. They’d heard talk of him from. grubline riders and passing drummers. They wanted to be able to say they’d shaken his hand and got a close look at his black- butted gun. The coldness with which Par-. dee greeted such attention did not dis- courage them. At last he pulled Marie toward a side door. 3 “Let’s get outside,” he said uncomfort- ably. “I want to = if I’m still an ordinary two-legged man.’ Marie squeezed his hand in hers and said teasingly, “I thought you’d never find an excuse, Dale.”’ “You mean you're as sick of this as I am?” “T mean it’s been a long time since you’ve kissed me,’’ she whispered softly, and Par- dee’s face reddened as he lengthened his stride. Pardee’s haste was in vain. He’d just started to step through the open doorway, welcoming the coolness of the night air against his face, when a tight, commanding voice lashed out with an order. “Pull up there,: Pardee, and let’s talk over an old score.’ 0)(0 0) (C@ AACE <SEGO