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Cosmic Tales, v. 2, issue 1, Summer 1939
Page 33
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COSMIC TALES, 33 ONE CAN NEVER KNOW... By GARTH GILES Craig Knight, sprawling carelessly in a over-stuffed chair, yawned widely, and closed his eyes in boredom. How utterly weary he was of these society parties --in fact, of society itself ! The forced gaiety, shrill laughter, heavy, choking atmosphere, both irritated and stifled him. His very bones ached for reality; for people who were not afraid to do and say what they thot; for people who were sincere. And he did not know where to look for them. Cursing, he arose and wandered into the gardens. The moon was a pure ball of silvery flame reflected in the limpid depths of the nearby pool. The sky above was a black velvet carpet studded with glittering, flashing stones. Soft, beautiful strains of music were faintly borne to him by the cool, gentle breeze. But he was blind to the awe-inspiring beauty of the night; deaf to the tender messages the soft wind carried to him. "I live in world of make-believe!" he cried. "If only I could see or experience something real!" The beautiful flowers bent gently to him, vainly attempting to convince him that they were real, that the moon was real, and that he was stupid and blind,. But he would not listen... "So you think that everything is artificial," a soft, rippling voice replied. He whirled about. A lovely slim young girl was standing gracefully against a tree. She was daintily clad in a simple white gown of an odd, shimmering material; her exquisite lips were curved into a friendly smile. Her eyes, which glowed and sparkled with mischievous laughter, seemed to be filled with the wisdom of the ages. Hanging below her waist, he beautiful, shining hair was of the same pure whiteness as her gown!. "W-who are you?" he asked. "Does it matter?" she replied with a charming smile. I'm quite aware of what is wrong with you and believe that I can open your eyes to the reality of the world about you -- but the price is very great... "Oh, bother the price!" he retorted half angrily. "I'm willing to pay it, whatever it may be!" "Well, then," a mischievous smile curved her lips, "remember you were warned." She moved closer. Her enticing lips were parted slightly in anticipation, her shapely arms were extended -- inviting him... A faint, heady fragrance drifted to his nostrils. Vainly, he attempts to break her spell. But her charm had bewitched him, her fascination held him as a flame does a moth. Dizzily, with his blood pounding madly in his brain, he stumbled forward. Her warm, pulsing body almost made him reel with exultation. But as he bent to kiss her, the mocking mischievous laughter in her strangely colored eyes puzzled him As his lips touched hers, he felt liquid fire rush thru his veins. Thirstily he drank sweet ecstasy from her mouth -- Youth was responding to Youth. Altho he felt vastly older, he suddenly realized that life was worth living, and that he wanted to live very badly. But, with a merry laugh that tinkled gayly out over the gardens, she pushed him from her. And as he fell, his strangely weak legs unable to support him, he caught sight of his reflection in the pool. The image of an incredibly old man stared wonderingly at him -- the once young, (continued on page 35)
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COSMIC TALES, 33 ONE CAN NEVER KNOW... By GARTH GILES Craig Knight, sprawling carelessly in a over-stuffed chair, yawned widely, and closed his eyes in boredom. How utterly weary he was of these society parties --in fact, of society itself ! The forced gaiety, shrill laughter, heavy, choking atmosphere, both irritated and stifled him. His very bones ached for reality; for people who were not afraid to do and say what they thot; for people who were sincere. And he did not know where to look for them. Cursing, he arose and wandered into the gardens. The moon was a pure ball of silvery flame reflected in the limpid depths of the nearby pool. The sky above was a black velvet carpet studded with glittering, flashing stones. Soft, beautiful strains of music were faintly borne to him by the cool, gentle breeze. But he was blind to the awe-inspiring beauty of the night; deaf to the tender messages the soft wind carried to him. "I live in world of make-believe!" he cried. "If only I could see or experience something real!" The beautiful flowers bent gently to him, vainly attempting to convince him that they were real, that the moon was real, and that he was stupid and blind,. But he would not listen... "So you think that everything is artificial," a soft, rippling voice replied. He whirled about. A lovely slim young girl was standing gracefully against a tree. She was daintily clad in a simple white gown of an odd, shimmering material; her exquisite lips were curved into a friendly smile. Her eyes, which glowed and sparkled with mischievous laughter, seemed to be filled with the wisdom of the ages. Hanging below her waist, he beautiful, shining hair was of the same pure whiteness as her gown!. "W-who are you?" he asked. "Does it matter?" she replied with a charming smile. I'm quite aware of what is wrong with you and believe that I can open your eyes to the reality of the world about you -- but the price is very great... "Oh, bother the price!" he retorted half angrily. "I'm willing to pay it, whatever it may be!" "Well, then," a mischievous smile curved her lips, "remember you were warned." She moved closer. Her enticing lips were parted slightly in anticipation, her shapely arms were extended -- inviting him... A faint, heady fragrance drifted to his nostrils. Vainly, he attempts to break her spell. But her charm had bewitched him, her fascination held him as a flame does a moth. Dizzily, with his blood pounding madly in his brain, he stumbled forward. Her warm, pulsing body almost made him reel with exultation. But as he bent to kiss her, the mocking mischievous laughter in her strangely colored eyes puzzled him As his lips touched hers, he felt liquid fire rush thru his veins. Thirstily he drank sweet ecstasy from her mouth -- Youth was responding to Youth. Altho he felt vastly older, he suddenly realized that life was worth living, and that he wanted to live very badly. But, with a merry laugh that tinkled gayly out over the gardens, she pushed him from her. And as he fell, his strangely weak legs unable to support him, he caught sight of his reflection in the pool. The image of an incredibly old man stared wonderingly at him -- the once young, (continued on page 35)
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