Argosy (UK), January 1955 — page 82: what you’re looking at

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

oe ee Ee Oa PTS eS ns 80 ROBERT SHECKLEY going to do. She invited him in, and they sat together on the couch. The girl lit a cigarette with a large lighter, then settled back. “‘ Are you leaving soon? ”’ she asked him. “IT suppose so,” Frelaine said. “‘ The convention is only lasting another day.” She was silent fora moment. “ I'll be sorry to see you go.” They were quiet for a while. Then Janet went to mix him a drink. Frelaine eyed her retreating back. Now was the time. He placed his hand near the button. But the moment had passed for him, irrevocably. He wasn’t going to kill her. You don’t kill the girl you love. The realiza- tion that he loved her was shocking. He’d come to kill, not to find a wife. She came back with the drink and sat down opposite him, staring at emptiness.. ** Janet,” he said. “I love you.” She sat, just looking at him. There were tears in her eyes. “You can’t,” she protested. “I’m a Victim. I won't live long enough to—” “You won’t be killed. I’m your Hunter.” She stared at him a moment, then laughed uncertainly. “Are you going to kill me?” she asked. “Don’t be ridiculous,” he said. “ I’m going to marry you.” Suddenly she was in his arms. “Oh lord!” she gasped. “The waiting—l’ve been so frightened— ” 7 ‘It’s all over,” he told her. ‘ Think what a story it’ll make for our kids. How I came to murder you and ended up marrying ou.” She kissed him, then sat back, and lit another cigarette. ‘* Let’s start packing,” Frelaine said. “ I want—” “Wait,” Janet interrupted. “‘ You haven’t asked if J love ou.” What? ” She was still smiling, and the cigarette-lighter was pointed at him. In the bottom of it was a black hole. A hole just large enough for a .38-calibre bullet. ‘“‘ Don’t play around,” he objected, getting to his feet. ‘“1’m not being funny, darling,”’ she said. In a fraction of a second, Frelaine had time to wonder how he could ever have thought she was not much over twenty. Looking at her now—veally looking at her—he knew she couldn’t be much less than thirty. Every minute of her strained, tense existence showed on her face. ' yet she was his legitimate kill. He didn’t know what he was comicloooks.com ~