Transcriber's Note
This etext was produced from Amazing Stories July 1942. Extensiveresearch did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on thispublication was renewed.
Out of nowhere came these grim,cold, black-clad men, to kidnapthree Earth people and carrythem to a weird and terribleworld where a man could be agiant at will.
Lee Anthony crouched and set himself toresist the attack of the robed men.
THE WORLD BEYOND
By RAY CUMMINGS
[107]The old woman was dying.There could be no doubt ofit now. Surely she would not lastthrough the night. In the dimquiet bedroom he sat watchingher, his young face grim andawed. Pathetic business, thisending of earthly life, this passingon. In the silence, from theliving room downstairs the gaylaughter of the young people atthe birthday party came floatingup. His birthday—Lee Anthony,twenty-one years old today. Hehad thought he would feel verydifferent, becoming—legally—aman. But the only differencenow, was that old Anna Greenwho had been always so good tohim, who had taken care of himalmost all his life, now was dying.
Terrible business. But old ageis queer. Anna knew what washappening. The doctor, who hadgiven Lee the medicines and saidhe would be back in the morning,hadn't fooled her. And shehad only smiled.
Lee tensed as he saw that shewas smiling now; and she openedher eyes. His hand went tohers[108]where it lay, so white, blue-veinedon the white bedspread.
"I'm here, Anna. Feel better?"
"Oh, yes. I'm all right." Herfaint voice, gently tired, mingledwith the sounds from the partydownstairs. She heard the laughter."You should be down there,Lee. I'm all right."
"I should have postponed it,"he said. "And what you did, preparingfor it—"
She interrupted him, raisingher thin arm, which must haveseemed so heavy that at once shelet it fall again. "Lee—I guessI am glad you're here—want totalk to you—and I guess it betterbe now."
"Tomorrow—you're too tirednow—"
"For me," she said with hergentle smile, "there may not beany tomorrow—not here. Yourgrandfather, Lee—you reallydon't remember him?"
"I was only four or five."
"Yes. That was when yourfather and mother died in theaero accident and your grandfatherbrought you to me."
Very vaguely he could rememberit. He had always understoodthat Anna Green had loved hisgrandfather, who had died thatsame year.
"What I want to tell you, Lee—"She seemed summoning allher last remaining strength."Your grandfather didn't die.He just went away. What you'venever known—he was a scientist.But he was a lot more than that.He had—dreams. Dreams ofwhat we mortals might be—whatwe ought to be—but arenot. And so he—went away."
This dying old woman; hermind was wandering?...
"Oh—yes," Lee said. "Butyou're much too tired now, Annadear—"
"Please let me tell you. Hehad—some scientific apparatus. Ididn't see it—I don't know wherehe went. I think he didn't knoweither, where he was going. Buthe was a very good man, Lee.I think he had an intuition—aninspiration. Yes, it must havebeen that. A man—inspired. Andso he went. I've never seen orheard from him since. Yet—whathe promised me—if hecould accomplish it—tonight—almostno