EARTH ALERT!
By Kris Neville
[Transcriber note: This etext was produced from Imagination Stories ofScience and Fantasy February 1953. Extensive research did not uncoverany evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER I
When Julia (she pronounced the name without the "a" at the end) wastwenty-four, she inherited $22,000 from an obscure uncle in California.After deducting taxes and administrative expenses, the California StateCourt ordered the money transferred to her bank account. It came to$20,247.50.
She had been working in a local book store. "I haven't the vaguest ideawhy it came to me," she told the curious and covertly envious customers."I guess he just didn't know anybody else."
She was a small, slender girl. Her eyes were bright and enthusiastic,her open smile so friendly that it was infectious.
The first afternoon when the money was actually in the bank under herown name, her father asked, "Well, what are you going to do with it?" Hewas genuinely curious. He owned his own home and was about to retire ona pension. He felt uncomfortable in the face of $20,247.50—for which hewas not able even to imagine a use.
Julia said, "I haven't exactly made up my mind yet." She intended toshop around for a husband, but she did not say this. She thought itwould sound very callous to say: I'm going to buy me a husband: I'vealways wanted one.
Julia gave two weeks notice at the book store. When the time was up shetook her last pay check and went to one of the modest dress shops andbought herself a conservative brown suit.
"You have a very nice figure," the clerk told her.
"Thank you." She studied him critically and then shook her head sadly.He wouldn't do.
I've got to be sure I get the right one, she thought. I'll know him whenI see him, she reassured herself. It certainly isn't this one.
There ought, she thought, to be a lot of eligible bachelors inHollywood. The movies ought to attract them.
Two days later she walked down to the bank and instructed the teller totransfer $5,000 of her money to a checking account in her name at theSecurity First National Bank in Los Angeles.
She told her father she was going to take a little vacation.
"There's plenty of eligible bachelors here," he said.
"Why dad!" she exclai