Comets -- Fiction; Moon -- Fiction; Science fiction; Short stories
Things got really good for Copeland and Brinker after popular demand
forced their vindication. They were feted, honored, praised, rewarded.
All Earth knew of them, and feminine colonists arriving as part of a new
phase of the Moon's development, shined up to them as heroes.
It is not to be said that they didn't enjoy the advantages of fame.
Brinker said more than once: "Forget your Frances, Cope. Problems are
easy, these days."
The time came when Copeland growled in answer: "Sure--too easy. Having a
lot of pals after the need is gone. No--I'm not criticizing. Most folks
are swell. But I'd like to make friends and maybe find love a little
more naturally. I thought I'd stay on the Moon; now I think I'll shove
off for Mars. People are going there; whole towns are being built, I
understand. And there's plenty of room for a lunar tramp, with a
prison-record, to get lost ..."
Copeland chuckled at the end. His vagabond blood was singing. He was
also pitching a come-on at Brinker, for he'd seen him with some letters
while they were prisoners. Copeland had glimpsed the name and address of
the writer: Dorothy Wells, the big nurse that Brinker had known at Tycho
Station. She was in Marsport now.
"By gosh--I guess I'll go too, Cope!" Brinker rumbled.
Looking back, Brinker thought it sort of funny that they were pals. He
laughed.
[Illustration]
* * * * *
Transcriber Notes:
This etext was produced by Science Fiction Stories 1953. Extensive
research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this
publication was renewed.
page 62 original: Many hours later, and may miles farther changed to:
Many hours later, and many miles farther
page 69 no change: Embitted, there was no warmth in Copeland - retained
Embitted
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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