Beauty Interrupted
By CHARLES L. FONTENAY
Illustrated by ED EMSH
The Earthmen were selfish; they obviously wanted
to hold the people of Orcti back. But no planet
has a monopoly on science—or the ability to spy!
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Infinity August 1958.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Birkala looked through the iron fence and his eyes were yellow with envy and a kind of hatred. The Earthman, Erik, was in the garden, painting on a large canvas and chatting amiably with Spira, Birkala's sister.
"The Earthmen have everything and they give us nothing," said Birkala to his companion, Direka.
Direka nodded and grinned stupidly. Direka was simple in the head, and he always agreed with everything Birkala said. Direka was hunchbacked, also, and it pleased Birkala to compare his own straight, youthful body to the crooked form of Direka. Altogether, Direka was a most satisfactory companion.