Project Gutenberg's Priestess of the Flame, by Sewell Peaslee Wright

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Title: Priestess of the Flame

Author: Sewell Peaslee Wright

Release Date: July 2, 2009 [EBook #29293]

Language: English

Character set encoding: ASCII

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Transcriber's Note:

This etext was produced from Astounding Stories June 1932.
Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the
U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.

[Illustration: "_Be still! The power of Liane is absolute here!_"]

Priestess of the Flame

By Sewell Peaslee Wright

* * * * *

[Sidenote: Commander John Hanson recounts the extraordinary story of
Liane, Priestess of the Flame.]

I have been rather amused by the protests which have come to me
regarding the "disparaging" comments I have made, in previous tales of
the Special Patrol Service, regarding women. The rather surprising
thing about it is that the larger proportion of these have come from
men. Young men, of course.

Now, as a matter of fact, a careful search has failed to reveal to me
any very uncomplimentary remarks. I have suggested, I believe, that
women have, in my experience, shown a sad lack of ability to
understand mechanical contrivances. Perhaps I have pictured some few
of them as frivolous and shallow. If I have been unfair, I wish now to
make humble apology.

I am not, as some of my correspondents have indicated, a bitter old
man, who cannot remember his youth. I remember it very well indeed,
else these tales would not be forthcoming. And women have their great
and proper place, even in a man's universe.

Some day, perhaps, the mood will seize me to write of my own love
affair. That surprises you? You smile to think that old John Hanson,
lately a commander of the Special Patrol Service, now retired, should
have had a love affair? Well, 'twas many years ago, before these eyes
lost their fire, and be