A. Merritt's Fantasy Magazine, April 1950 — page 127: what you’re looking at

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

THE NINTH LIFE (Continued from page 93) “No,” Gees agreed tonelessly, there.” Sentences from Kefra’s story were back in his mind. ‘When she had need, she took—so much of my lite that I was as ce it’s not one dead until she had her will...and thus renewed her accursed self.” And now at last he knew. There was no mask—for none had been worn. Gees realized that at the end, Kefra had known too. That was what she had meant this afternoon. Her own body, during those moments of blackness, those “‘renderings- up of myself to the goddess,” had been the instrument of Sekhmet’s hideous, bloody-hungry cruelty. And as once long ago, Sekhmet had killed the man whom Kefra had loved—so last night in jealousy she had tried to kill him, Gees. But who would believe these tales— an ancient goddess of wrath and murder, coming to earth to destroy ; making of her priestess a changeling—a clawing, snarl- ing lion-woman; giving that priestess timeless and destructive life, using her to procure the blood of mortals—the blood so necessary to sacrifice and belief... .No, these things would not be believed. But no matter. Sekhmet was dead now. For Saleh, her only living worshipper, lay lifeless in the car. There was no one to believe in her any more; and without be- lief she perished, as must all the gods whose cult has passed from the minds and hearts, the fear and worship, of men. And with Sekhmet dead, then Kefra—her priestess, her instrument, and her victim —was at last released from the long bond- age—‘the closer bond,” she had called it. So they were dead—all three. Goddess, priestess, devotée. Gone from the earth. And none would remember. Time had claimed them at last. Gees knew though, with a pan; of mis- ery, that time would never take from him the memory of Kefra’s burning amber eyes, nor that moment of utter peace they had known this afternoon ... Was it only this afternoon? It seemed centuries . “They must have thrown it out!” Tott insisted. He was still fuming about the mask. “Very well, then, they threw it out. In that case, you'll find it somewhere on the . ASTHMADOR WE bolero ie 3 that The Dyco Action. Course in pe igh Sales- manship make you gen and profession through salesmiansht. Based pre me end — methods. Easily learned. Done eatieats in four colors. Requires 15 renee ay a day for twelve weeks. IMMEDIATE RESULTS, ts only $2 per month for six months, Write for free dotails te DYCO PUBLISHING COMPANY Selling Aids Division 1321 Arch St., Philadelphia 7, Pa. Dept. SA 4, uick relief with Dent’s. Use Dent's Tooth um or Dent's Tooth Drops for cavity tooth- GS aches. Use Dent’s Dental Poultice for pain or “Since 1889" Soreness in gums or teeth. At all drug stores. DENT’S 25° TOOTH. DROPS: Get Well (42) QUICKER From Your bern Due tea FOLEY’S toes &, Cough Compound Borrow 7530 to 7300" pieced money? No oa sg ha tp you can Al P $0. 00 a $300.00 this aoe. eed eonfidential way. Noendorsere & . Employed men & women at) J good character eligible. Solve you money problems quickly ee in beciallc rivacy with a loan made ei ce eetet relatives Seales not NOE Know or a loan. Conven' Rush coupon ns ving oceupation—for epphastion eo hineiee sont FREE in plain cnvatal oobligation. State Finance Co. 210 State Finance Bide. .» Dept. 8-71, Des Moines &, lowa DENTAL POULTICE. <- ap aegey TE FINANCE CO., Dept. &-72 See! nee eee) ee ey ER eT a a | 1 3io Mt planes Bidg., "Des Moines ah lowa y Please rush FREE Application Blank. t £ CONUS cccteeechencneaias STATE............ } | Occupation Sea Sas se ta et RE RE STS Age ...... men EEE! Semester) pee ee ED CD Se CSS Ee) NN Cad CS SEES SEED (SEES AES ee é : Ler: + 127 oO Gomicbooks*com