Avon Fantasy Reader No. 8 — page 69: what you’re looking at

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

: poe = le . by te Pocdbany Unquestionably Ray Bradbury is on his way to becoming one of this nation’s leading short story writers. His continuing success in winning recognition among collections of the best stories bears, out the promise his inital pulp magazine triumphs held forth. Bradbury has stated that he never writes down | for one market or up for another, but always turns out the best he can and thinks of a market afterwards. This is borne out by “Zero Hour” which, though straight science-fiction, compares very favorably with his best “slick” appearances. H, IT was to be so jolly! What a 2 game! Such excitement they hadn’t known in years. The children catapulted | this way and that across the green lawns, shouting at each other, holding | hands, flying in circles, climbing trees, laughing . . . Overhead, the rockets a fiew and beetle-cars whispered by on the streets, but the children played on. Such fun, such tremulous joy, such tumbling and hearty screaming. Mink ran into the house, all dirt and sweat. For her seven years she was loud and strong and definite. Her mother, Mrs. Morris, hardly saw’ her as she yanked out drawers and rattled pans and tools into a large sack. “Heavens, Mink, what’s going on?” “The most exciting game ever!” gasped Mink, pink-faced. “Stop and get your breath,” said the mother. “No, I’m all right,” gasped Mink. “Okay I take these things, Mom?” “But don’t dent them,” said Mrs. Morris. a “Thank you, thank you!” cried Mink and boom! she was gone, like a rocket. ~ tata Mrs. Morris surveyed the fleeing tot. “What’s the name of the game?” “Invasion!” said Mink. The door slammed. : In every yard on the street children brought out knives and forks and pokers | and old stove pipes and can-openers. . It was an interesting fact that this fury and bustle occurred only among the younger children. The older ones, those ten years and more disdained the affair and marched scornfully off on hikes or played a more dignified version of hide-and-seek on their own. 65 €omicbooks.co Sg 5 oh ee