2-Gun Western, February 1954 — page 41: what you’re looking at

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

THE TROUBLED GUN to a chair and then Rendler seated himself across from Cameron. “It’s good to see you, Steve,” said Rendler. “I was wondering if you’d come back to Silver Hill when they let you out.” Cameron said nothing. He stared at Rendler. They were of an age but the years had been kind to Carey Rendler. He looked hale and hearty, there was the beginning of a paunch beneath his belt. His complexion was as red as it had always been and his bright blue eyes still had a sly way of looking at things, as if they were cleverly concealed and were surrep- titiously watching without anyone being aware. Ten years ago Rendler had been clean-shaven but now he affected a tawny mustache that drooped down around the corners of his mouth. “I suppose you're anxious to get caught up on the news,” Rendler said. “Not particularly,” said Cameron. Rendler arched a brow. “I think you’re going to like this,” he said. Cameron did not speak. He sat there, watching Carey Rendler. They had never been too close although they had known each other all their lives. Rendler had always been on the lookout for thé fast and easy dol- lar and it was this about him that Cameron had never liked. The glitter in Rendler’s eyes seemed to brighten. “Tom Holbrook’s in jail,’ he said quietly. Mention of the name put a brief spasm of hurt and anger through Cameron’s heart. However, his face revealed nothing. He stared steadily at Rendler. “You're taking it kind of easy,’ Rendler said. He appeared to be thinking about something. After a moment, he said, “If I'd known you were coming back, Steve, I'd have waited.” “Waited for what?” “I’m the one who swore out the complaint against Holbrook.” “What did he do?” “Rustled some of my cows. Me and Mike Downey—you remember him— caught Holbrook at it. He was chang- ing my Lazy F into his 44 brand. ‘He should get a stretch in the pen 4} for that. Make you feel any better ?” Cameron said nothing. He was star- ing down at the tabletop but he was not seeing it. His eyes were looking into the window of the dark and lonely past. Rendler made a small, helpless ges- ture. “I know he’s your meat, Steve, and I’d have saved him for you if I’d known you were coming back to Silver Hill, but—” “What do you mean meat? Rendler paused as if taken aback. His brows lifted. Then he gave a small, embarrassed laugh. “Well, you know, Steve. Him and Lucy—” He let it lie like that. The pain was there in Cameron’s heart. The mere mention of her name had been enough to bring it back. He had been positive it would never hurt him again as he had had ten years to reconcile himself to it but now. he knew how false that sup- position had been. It was the kind of hurt that would remain with him as long as he drew a breath. When Cameron did not speak, Rendler went on, “I know it kind of throws you off, Steve. I’m sorry as all get-out. You always said you were framed for that robbery ten years ago and if anyone did any framing it was Tom Holbrook because he wanted you out of the way so he could marry Lucy. I know what you've got in mind and I’m—” Cameron reached out suddenly and grabbed the front of Rendler’s shirt. Cloth ripped. Cameron’s voice was low and quivering with fury. “You don’t know nothing about what’s in my mind, Carey!” Rendler was up taut and straight in the chair. For an instant his eyes were startled and unbelieving, then they grew sly again. They seemed to withdraw and study Cameron from a great and secret distance. Cameron finally released his hold. Rendler rose to his feet. 7 “Be seeing you, Steve,’ he said. He was smiling a little as he walked it Se HE MORNING of the next day Steve Cameron saddled his bay and rode out of Silver Hill. Even CORMICLOOOKS (C@)