Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 51 — page 102: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

JEAN—GENE—JEANNE hurt. Why, why, why, had she ever come here? Why hadn’t she crashed the ship? Why didn’t he go? Why didn’t he get out and leave her? Why did he go on stand- ing there, not looking worried, or’ angry, or even uncom- fortable? Just kind, and un- derstanding, and cheerful, as if there was nothing wrong at all. He came closer. His big hands came up, and took her shoulders. “‘I am not the only fool, little Jean. I am not such a fool as to let you go and kill yourself without telling you that there is no need for that.” She shook her head. “You can’tunderstand, Andros. You can’t know how I feel. You want to be kind. You are kind. You’re sweet.” “And you are a fool.” He was openly teasing her. She stared. “Only someone who was afraid could be so foolish. When there is no need to be afraid.” There was that in his face which pulled her upright, made her clutch at his great arms. “You mean——? There’s something that could be done, Andros? Something 101 the doctors here could do?” He nodded. “‘Of what use is a person who is a prisoner in their own body? We have known this for many genera- tions. Would you let them help you, little Jean?’ He laughed, tilting her head back, and under the infection she began to laugh also, not hysterically, but naturally, deep laughter welling up, joyful and free. ““Weare both fools,’ Andros commented. “We shall be very happy together, I think. And now we will take the things you want and hurry to the hospital. But when we get there we will walk softly so that it does not fall down until after we are married.” He looked up innocently at the eabin roof. ““Our doctors are very good. The hospital must not fall down for many years yet.” Holding his hands, letting the past with all its irrational shame and fear and uncer- tainty dissolve away in the peace of this wonderful present she made no effort to check her tears. Through their mists Andros smiled gently, as he would always smile for her. comiclooks.cormn