hat he had, as
it brought him quite an income.

It required several days' work on the Red Cloud before it was in shape
for another trial. During the hours when he was engaged in the big
shed, helping Mr. Sharp, the young inventor spent many minutes calling
to mind the memory of a certain fair face, and I think I need not
mention any names to indicate whose face it was.

"She promised to go for a ride with me," mused the lad. "I hope she
doesn't back out. But I'll want to learn more about managing the ship
before I venture with her in it. It won't do to have any accidents
then. There's Ned Newton, too. I must take him for a skim in the
clouds. Guess I'll invite him over some afternoon, and give him a
private view of the machine, when we get it in shape again."

About a week after the accident at the school Mr. Sharp remarked to Tom
one afternoon:

"If the weather is good to-morrow, we'll try another flight. Do you
suppose your father will come along?"

"I don't know," answered the lad. "He seems much engrossed in
something. It's unusual, too, for he most generally tells me what he is
engaged upon. However, I guess he will say something about it when he
gets ready."

"Well, if he doesn't feel just like coming, don't argue him. He might
be nervous, and, while the ship is new, I don't want any nervous
passengers aboard. I can't give them my attention and look after the
running of the machinery."

"I was going to propose bringing a friend of mine over to see us make
the trip to-morrow," went on the young inventor. "Ned Newton, you know
him. He'd like a ride."

"Oh, I guess Ned's all right. Let him come along. We won't go very high
to-morrow. After a trial rise by means of the gas, I'm going to lower
the ship to the ground, and try for an elevation by means of the
planes. Oh, yes, bring your friend along."

Ned Newton was delighted the next day to receive Tom's invitation, and,
though a little dubious about trusting himself in an airship for the
first time, finally consented to go with his chum. He got a half
holiday from the bank, and, shortly after dinner went to Tom's house.

"Come on out in the shed and take a look at the Red Cloud," proposed
the young inventor. "Mr. Sharp isn't quite ready to start yet, and I'll
explain some things to you."

The big shed was deserted when the lads entered, and went to the loft
where they were on a level with the big, red aluminum tank. Tom began
with a description of the m