Authentic Science Fiction Monthly, No. 65 — page 55: what you’re looking at

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

AUTHENTIC SCIENCE FICTION letters stamped according to the progress of his hypo- thetical journey. After careful thought he had decided not to confide in her. If the treatment failed, it would mean the end of every- thing. Butifit was successful... When youth calls to youth, the merest glance ensures the fusion of two souls. Joseph was confident that this would now happen to Sita and him- self. For this reason and be- cause he was supercharged with the brash optimism of youth, he thirsted to see her again. He could not possibly, he felt, get back to her quickly enough. Dismissing the taxi at the lodge gates, he walked up the drive towards his country house. The sun shone, birds sang, trees and flowers were at their lush best—the perfect day for a wanderer’s home- coming. Impatiently quickening his stride, he was making for the front door when the sound of a hurdy-gurdy and the sight of a marquee and tent-tops over the shrubs between him- self and the lawn warned him that some sort of garden 54 party was afoot. Accordingly he turned in that direction. The meeting was dramatic. He was hurrying towards the lawn, Sita away from it; and they met face to face at the . corner of a garden path. They goggled speechlessly at each other. Joseph, in the seventh heaven, marvelled at Sita’s stattled loveliness— then choked with triumph as her soft eyes took on an added effulgence, an intensity matching his own. Wordlessly, he stepped for- ward. Swept her into his arms. Gave her the kiss of youth—and was repaid in kind. Panting, when it was over, he would have kissed her again, but she pushed him away. ‘Not now.” “But i “‘We must be careful.” Joseph’s heart froze as Sita looked anxiously around. Then, satisfied that their em- brace had not been witnessed, she smiled tenderly. Again his arms would have enfolded her, but again she shook her head. A woman’s voice called. “Sita! Where are you, dear? Hurry up with the buns. These kids are famished.”’ comiclooks.conrn