and now at the last moment he wasuncertain.
He said suddenly, "Can you pack a few things?"
"Sam--" Her voice in the darkness was eager. Her hands touched his. Softhands.
"You'd better hurry," he told her.
Sam watched her go to the house, and doubts began to gnaw at him. Was hegoing to destroy his plans now at a whim? He felt an impulse to get intothe rocket and leave without her--yet he thought of the cold emptinessof space and himself drifting through alien worlds, alone, lonely.Perhaps it was wrong but he couldn't condemn her for something that waspartly his fault. He was trying to become the person he once might havebeen, and it was only fair that she should have the same chance.
Dorothy came hurrying back, a suitcase in her hand, and there was aneagerness about her that pleased him. He helped her put the suitcase onboard.
"Dorothy--"
Her voice was soft and low. "Yes, Sam?" Starlight danced in her eyes.
He pulled her gently to him. He kissed her, and that night eight yearsago came back, and in his arms was the young eager bride he had known,the one he loved.
Minutes later they rose on wings of fire, in a slow upward spiral thatquickened painlessly. Sam had not questioned the hyperdrive. It hadworked in the factory and it would work here. He watched the needlecross the dial in a swift, steady movement.
Dorothy placed her hand in his. "Where are we going, darling?"
Sam Meecham smiled at her, confident that he had made the most importantdecision in his life. He pointed through the forward window.
Ahead of them lay the stars.
Transcriber's Note:
This etext was produced from _Fantastic Universe_ January 1954. Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed. Minor spelling and typographical errors have been corrected without note.
Thank you for reading books on BookFrom.Net Share this book with friends