"Let"s think no more about him," said Lucille. She had come up to them, and the two looked at each other and smiled. Love is self-centred; other things it forgets very quickly.
"To-morrow we go back to New York," said Jim. "You think you"re able to face the world and take up life again?"
"I think so, Jim," said Lucille.
"You"re not remembering him after all?"
"No, Jim. I was thinking of poor Cain. He died for me."
"But that was twelve thousand years ago, my dear, and to-day"s to-day," said Jim. "And to-morrow a new life begins for you and me."
He drew her closer to him. No, he would never quite forget, but that was twelve thousand years ago ... and to-morrow was his wedding day.
_A Meeting Place for Readers of_ Astounding Stories
[Ill.u.s.tration: _The Readers" Corner_]
_An "Astounding" Career_
Dear Editor:
A friend introduced me to your new magazine, and it is wonderful. The best story in the magazine, or, rather, the one I liked best, outside of the serial, which I didn"t read, is "The Cave of Horror," by Capt. S. P. Meek. Next comes Ray c.u.mmings" story of the Fourth Dimension, "Phantoms of Reality." Other good ones are, "Tanks," "Invisible Death," and "Compensation."
I did not like "The Stolen Mind." It seemed to me to be a mixture of superst.i.tion and magic. A fairy tale. I am glad that you are publishing this magazine, and I think that it is worth double its present price. You have my good wishes to the magazine for a long and astounding career. My way of reading a serial is to save copies and to read the story at one time. I do not like to wait a month for a story to end or continue.
Your next issue seems to sound quite interesting. "The Sp.a.w.n of the Stars," a very interesting and, I am sure, a fit name for the story. "Creatures of the Light" is a very vague name--you don"t know what to expect. The others will prove to be as interesting as any that I have named. I prefer interplanetary stories the most, as any amount of science can be injected in them.--Nathan Greenfield, 318 East 78th St., New York, N. Y.
_Prefers Long Stories_
Dear Editor:
I got your first issue of Astonishing Stories, and, although I like the stories, I do not like the way you have it bound.
(This is supposed to be criticism, so don"t take it to heart.) The pages are uneven and hard to turn. But the stories in the first copy were good. And you"ll have a swell magazine if you have stories by Harl Vincent and Ray c.u.mmings. The aforesaid men are two of the best in the science fiction field. Another thing: don"t have any short stories. If you have about 3 or 4 l-o-n-g stories, I"d like it better. I hope your magazine enjoys much success!--Linus Hogenmiller, 502 N. Washington Street, Farmington, Mo.
_Another Who Likes Interplanetary Stories_
Dear Editor:
I have read the first issue of Astounding Stories with much pleasure, and if the first issue is any indication of what is to follow I will continue to be a reader.
You inquire as to the kind of stories that your readers think should be published. I think you will find the most popular brand to be interplanetary stories and stories along the line of the "Beetle Horde." Best wishes for success in your new endeavor--F. C. Cowherd, Room 333, L. & N.
Railroad, Louisville, Ky.
_Attention, Joiners!_
Dear Editor:
I have just finished one of the stories in your magazine, and could not resist the temptation to write and tell you how much I enjoyed it. The stories are great and are just the thing to give one rest and recreation. At the same time they fire imagination and are not trashy love stories.
The main purpose of the letter is to revive an old idea and see if I can put it through. I propose to organize a correspondence society for readers interested in science. We would use Astounding Stories as our official medium. Each member would receive a list of members" names and addresses, a quant.i.ty of official stationery for inter-correspondence, and a certificate of membership suitable for framing.
The object would be the discussion of scientific topics and the latest advances.
I would suggest an annual fee of $2.50 to cover the cost of printing stationery, certificates, application forms, copy of the const.i.tution, lists of members and official pins.
All those interested in the formation of such a society are earnestly requested to write me, giving suggestions as to a suitable name, etc. They will receive full information, and a sample of the certificate of membership and an application form.
I trust you will publish this letter at your earliest convenience--M. R. Bercovitch, B. Sc., 4643 St. Urbain Street, Montreal, Canada.
_Sound Criticism_
Dear Editor:
You ask for readers to write you regarding types of stories desired. Well, I am an electrical engineer and of course like my yarns to have a touch of science in them. Also I like my authors to make an original contribution to whatever theory of science they develop fictionally. This Ray c.u.mmings doesn"t do in his very interesting story, "Phantoms of Reality." His beginning is palpably borrowed from Francis Flagg"s story, "The Blue Dimension," which appeared in a Science Fiction magazine in 1927. Flagg developed the theory of vibrations, reverberation, etc., and contributed something new to speculative science. c.u.mmings merely seizes this point and dives into a series of improbable adventures.
Now I am not quarrelling with their improbability: I like my stories improbable, but I am asking for something more original than the old rehash of kings and queens, intrigues, and returning princes, etc. Again, c.u.mmings seems to lack enough scientific ac.u.men to make his other world different than this. Even a superficial thinker will readily see that the terrain of the other world would not faithfully follow our own in its salient features. However, forgive me for knocking--the story wasn"t so bad, and c.u.mmings doubtless can do better than this--or has.
"The Beetle Horde"--so far--is a gem, and holds the interest. Furthermore, its science is splendid. I am looking forward to its conclusion. "The Cave of Horror" is a d.a.m.n good yarn, well written, interest sustained: but I didn"t care for "The Stolen Mind." The truth is that that particular story didn"t hang together very well. It left one up in the air, as it were, and far from satisfied me. Too, the science involved, to say the least of it, was not very sound or plausibly put. In reading the story I felt that the author was one who should be encouraged to write more--nothing wrong with his imagination or ability to fling words--but that he should be gently coerced into writing with better continuity and intelligence. "Compensation"
didn"t click--too loose--not compact enough. Splendid idea ruined by hasty writing. Another author needing a gentle hint. But "Tanks" was another sure-fire hit with me. Held me to last word. The story sounded real.
So for the stories in your first issue. You see, on the whole, I liked all of them. Still, I also like variety.
Can"t you give us some of the Francis Flagg type of fiction?
H. Hyatt Verril is another of my favorites, also Dr. Keller and Clara Harris. I have read mighty good tales by those authors. I believe you could do worse than to run an occasional H. G. Wells story, and if you gave us "The First Men in the Moon" serially, I for one would be delighted. I have tried in vain to get that story and never have. Well, I guess I have said enough. Best wishes for the New Year. May Astounding Stories grow and prosper--and its Editor.--C.
Harry Jaeger, 2900 Jeedan Road, Oakland, California.
_Likes Interplanetary Stories_
Dear Editor:
Having read the first issue of Astounding Stories, I am about to p.r.o.nounce a sentence on it. It is guilty of being "Astounding" to the Nth degree!
I enjoyed all the stories immensely and will be anxiously awaiting the next issue.
Now as for some suggestions which I think would improve the magazine.
I. Try to have an interplanetary story in each issue.
II. Publish a number of interesting letters concerning Astounding Stories in each issue.
III. Have several ill.u.s.trations in long stories.