Authentic Science Fiction Monthly No. 71 — page 77: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION mentality with but a shadow of matter, even as we did at the peak of our planetary evolution.” Smithson feels that he is falling through an unlit night, alone and in utter silence. _ “Matthews!” he screams hoarsely. “Harris! Burroughs! Benson! Carru——” Carruthers was dark and lean and had a merry laugh, ~ and Smithson’s wife admired such men. Smithsonstandssoundlessly. Gone, the hatred; gone, the jealousy. What has he to envy now? The muscles and the laughter are a little grey thing, wrinkled, pathetic... “‘Carruthers!’’ he yells. There is no answer. **Carruthers,”’ he sobs. ““Ed- ward Carruthers .. .”’ Clipped neatly from the branch of Earth to sprout in alien soil. Pity fills Smithson as malice fades. Carruthers can never laugh again. Dust, his splen- did body—ripped away, his dreams. “You must not remain here, 76 Smithson. Their memories are temporarily subdued—they have been cleansed and are being taught logical think- ing. Your discordant emana- tions may adversely influence their progress.” *“You—you mean I’m tele- pathic now?” ‘The brains are completely telepathic—you are partly so. How else could we converse?” “Can—they—read my mind?” “We are shielding them from you as much as possible, - but stray pulses may reach them.” Smithson turns, covering his eyes. He wants to say, “You're scared theyll wish to revert if they read my thoughts,” but the words do not reach his tongue. Instead, hesays:““You—you'’vedone... that . . to millions of people?” “To one third of your race. The benefit is brought to all intelligent species.” Suddenly, Smithson’s mind seems to congeal. He stumbles conmiclsooks.conn