FICTION

THE NEW WORLD

Louise - Penn.

The car stopped. Their lips met in a tender lingering kiss. The car moved on.

Joe kicked open the door of their honeymoon cottage. Gently lifting Charlene in his arms he carried her across the threshold in the typical American fashion of newlyweds. Once inside, he moved to the sofa to gently put Charlene down.

"Darling -- are you happy?" Charlene tenderly questioned him.

"This has to be the happiest day in my life and I know of yours," re- plied Joe. Lovingly Charlene's arms encircled Joe's neck. Glancing down, Joe's lips met the glossy red, perfectly made-up lips of Charlene. For a period of minutes the two appeared as statues as they remained in this position. Dizzily Charlene broke away to catch her breath. "Honey, get yourself and the champagne ready while I prepare myself," Charlene whispered in Joe's ear, giving it a delicate kiss. Joe put her on her feet. Gathering the train of her elegant gown, Charlene ever so coyly and fetchingly exited to the bedroom.

Inside, it took a matter of seconds to unfasten the gown and have it slide over her feminine body and pile on the floor about her nylon clad legs. Daintily she knelt down, gathered the gown, and placed it in the closet.

In her bridal slip of satin and lace, and her satin pumps, she went into the bathroom to prepare for her Joe. Making certain the water was of the right temperature and appropriately perfumed, she went about re- moving her make-up as the bath was running and as she now stood com-