Astounding British Edition, Vol. 6, No. 8 — page 68: what you’re looking at

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

light of early morning streamed through the windows. “°Tis not that kind o’ song, Bart.” The old man began to mumble. All that his hearers got was a sense of rhythm. He was reading for himself alone. Then, freak- ishly, his voice came loud and clear. ASTOUNDING SCIENCE FICTION tS neat ae a SES aa “The stars are fading, and the Caravan Starts for the Dawn of Nothing. .. .” “Hurry!” shouted Young Mack. “More fire! Quick!” A jet of steam impinging on its blades, the little wheel was revolving rapidly. DANCE OF A NEW WORLD (Continued from page 54) somebody meet him and get him cleared and out to the school, will you?” “Sure thing. What else have you got on your mind? From your tone that isn’t all you called about.” “It isn’t. ’ve got an exec for you, Frank.” “Good! A competent man?” “IT guess so. At least he’s had the proper background for it.” “Don’t keep me in suspense. Who is the man?” “Me,” Shane said flatly. Frank Allison looked at him for long seconds, no trace of expression on his face. “Are you serious, Shane?” “Completely, Frank.” Allison moved away from the screen. Shane waited impatiently. In a few moments Allison was back and Shane was mildly shocked-to see that the man was smiling broadly. “I had a little detail to attend to, Shane. I had to collect ten bucks. You see, I had a bet with West. We had you picked for the job for the last seven months, but in order for you to qualify for it, the idea had to originate with you. If it didn’t, Psycho wouldn’t approve your arbitrary assignment to the spot. Congratulations!” Shane Brent wanted to laugh as he real- hs, ; , + Vea te es WWE ized Allison had been playing almost the same game with him that he had been play- ing with Hiram Lee. “IT won't be back, Frank,” he said quietly. Allison sobered. “I had hoped you would, Shane. It’s your privilege to make your own choice. I had hoped that seven years from now, with your experience on this project, you’d be fitted to come in here and take my job.” “I’m sorry, Frank,” Shane said. Allison sighed, “So_be it. When will you be in?” “T’ll wait until she can come with me. It'll be Flight Eight probably. I'll confirm.” There was deep affection in Allison’s smile. ““Whoever she is, boy, I’m sure that she’s a very lovely person. See you when you get here.” The screen darkened. He stood for a moment and looked at its opaque dead grayness. He didn’t see the screen, He saw, instead, a distant planet. He saw himself standing in a clearing, his hands hardened with pioneer labor. Above him was an alien sky. Beside him was a tall girl. Her hair of purest gold blew in the soft breeze. Shane Brent turned and walked quickly waiting. a ElonOOlk< Gomi from the small room. Caren would be = PP ay ay tangy Sy . eerie yt