You Can't Buy Eternity!

by Dwight V. Swain

Already the woman was coming from the shadows, an auburn-haired vision of utter loveliness.

Only then the full force of the light struck her, and the illusion died beneath the bitter onslaught of too many years.

Astrell seemed to sense it. Hastily, she drew back into the fringe of friendly shadows. "I won't hold you now, Mr. Thigpen; I know you must be tired. But I promise, I'll see you another time."

"The transor, Mr. Thigpen—" Mawson began.

Ross said, "First, I'd like to speak for a moment to Miss Hall."

"Miss Hall? Miss Hall—?"

"The girl you sent with Cheng."

"Oh. Veta." The adjudicator's face grew even more unhappy. But he raised his voice: "Sanford! Sanford, where are you?"

A shadow detached itself from the others ... a tall, gaunt shadow, this time. "Here, Pike."

"Where's your sister, Sanford? Mr. Thigpen wants to see her."