BESIDE THE GOLDEN DOOR
By HENRY SLESAR
Illustrated by SCHELLING
Earth was dead, but Liberty still held her torch
aloft. Yet only Deez, the alien, could know whether
it was raised in welcome or in mockery.
[Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from
Amazing Stories February 1964.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that
the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
Devia's voice, like a sweetly tinkling bell in his ear, sounded in Ky-Tann's headpiece, and he chuckled at the urgency of her tone. Wedded less than two years, he still delighted in every nuance of her nature, and this was one of them. She could sound equally urgent about an impending hurricane or an imminent dinner party.
With a sigh, he switched off the electron microscope and touched his Answer button lightly. "Yes, my darling? What is it?"
"Haven't you heard? It's been on every newsray for the past six hours. I thought you'd have called me by now—"