Fifteen Western Tales, March 1954 — page 29: what you’re looking at

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

= = 2 GUNMAN’S WAY They had their shoot-out there in the quiet twilight with a score of faces peeping at them from around windows, rain barrels and porch posts. And when it was over Dale Pardee was lying stretched out in the caliche dust, the wind knocked out of him and one of Ed Gilcher’s slugs burning in his shoulder. Dimly, Pardee was aware of Ed Gilcher towering above him. The rancher’s broad face was as white as paper and his eyes were wide with shock. Gilcher reached down to get his arms under Pardee’s back, but Pardee elbowed him away. “T can stand,” he said weakly. He got his feet aiier him and struggled erect. The, buildings started whirling and the street rocked at a sickening angle. He start- ed falling, but Ed Gilcher’s meaty shoul- der caught him and he was vaguely aware of being lifted and carried away. E WOKE a half hour later in Doc Kelton’s office, somewhat chagrined because the bullet shock had knocked him out. He was lying on the same cot where Ed Gilcher had rested three weeks ago when the doctor had dressed the rancher’s wound. Marie was kneeling beside the cot, her troubled eyes waiting to meet his. When she saw him looking at her, Ma- rie’s breast rose in a relieved sigh and she ran her hand tenderly through his hair. “Why did you do it, Dale?” she asked tremulously. “Why did you just stand ‘there and let father pull a gun and shoot you? Everyone in town says you didn’t — even try to draw your gun.” “And that ain’t all they’re saying,” Ed Gilcher boomed, shoving tiny Doc Kelton aside and striding across the room. “You know what the talk in the saloons is right now, Pardee? They’re saying you've got a yellow streak wide as a barn door up your back and that I’m a better man forty ways from Sunday. They’re saying just the sight of me cutting down on you scared you so bad you couldn’t even grab for your gun. I don’t like it, Pardee. It leaves a bad taste in my mouth. If you ain’t able to get on your feet and tell them why you did it, | aim to tell them myself.” Pardee, wincing at the pain in his shoul- ders, shoved up on his elbow. “You're not telling them anything, Gilcher. Take a man like Pete Decker, now. Why would he want to risk his neck just to shoot it out with an old yellow dog like me? It wouldn't help his rep a bit after this.” Ed Gilcher stopped his restless pacing and stared at the foor a moment. When he looked up again he seemed more at ease with his conscience. “Well, when you look - at it that way I reckon you owed me the satisfaction of putting that slug in you.” Marie jumped to her feet, her eyes blaz- ing indignantly. father. to frame Dale so—”’ “You've got your old man all wrong, Marie,”’ Pardee cut in sheepishly. “Just as ‘ far wrong as I had him, maybe. My trig- ger finger was too eager when I put that slug in Gilcher. It wasn’t until I brought him into town that I found out he was willing to help me get a start in return for the water I was letting him share. He was giving me the ten cows he was push- ing across the creek with my brand on them. He thought I was arguing with him because I was too damn’ proud to take them!” oo 8 required by the Act of August 24, 1912, as amended by the Acts “of March 3, 1933. hang 2, 1946 Statement 39, Tinited irate Code, Section 233), sho published b’ managing ess managers are: Editor, Henry Gianeck: 205 East 42n 2. owner is: P Publicat St., New York 17, New York, si tn M. Steeger mort nd A otk security hol hol books of * ooauaay as trustee or in trustee is acting: trustees, hold stock and securities in a capacity Eo asugagiend at Kokomo, Indiana, for October 1 1988. 1. The bu Publisher, St d St., New York 17, Som York. Managing editor, None. Bus ions, Inc., 205 Kast 42nd St., New York 17, New York. East d St., New York 17, New York: 3. iors Gmina oe or holding 1 percent ‘or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages, or other i gp a ge im cases where the stockholder any statements in the two paragraphs sh how the affiant’s full knowl stances and conditions under which stockholders and security holders who do not appear upon the —— other than that of a bona fide owner. Signed, Tithe Western les, editor; — iness man Non “Henry Steeger, 205° Scent ‘ond The known bondholders, Management, and Cireulation of Fi Names and addresses of the ss pee eeger, 205 East 42nd St., New York 17, = or security =o appears upon the of the company ag r, Publisher. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28th. das of September, 1953. Eva M. Walker, Notary ‘Publie State of No. York, ed in New York oan: No. (Seal)—Form 3526—Re - 8-50 31-8506600. Certificate filed with N. ¥. Co. Reg.’ Commission expires March 30, 1954, GEomichbooks ss (E@) “He owed you nothing, . Everyone knows you were trying |