suppose they would be awful," she remarked,
and turned with renewed interest to the window.

Thus days went by and the Skylark passed one solar system after another,
with a velocity so great that it was impossible to land upon any planet.
Margaret's association with Crane, begun as a duty, soon became an
intense pleasure for them both. Taking notes or seated at the board in
companionable conversation or sympathetic silence, they compressed into
a few days more real companionship than is ordinarily enjoyed in months.
Oftener and oftener, as time went on, Crane found the vision of his
dream home floating in his mind as he steered the Skylark in her
meteoric flight or as he strapped himself into his narrow bed. Now,
however, the central figure of the vision, instead of being an
indistinct blur, was clear and sharply defined. And for her part, more
and more was Margaret drawn to the quiet and unassuming, but utterly
dependable and steadfast young inventor, with his wide knowledge and his
keen, incisive mind.

* * * * *

Sometimes, when far from any star, the pilot would desert his post and
join the others at meals. Upon one such occasion Seaton asked:

"How's the book on astronomy, oh, learned ones?"

"It will be as interesting as Egyptian hieroglyphics," Margaret replied,
as she opened her notebook and showed him pages of figures and symbols.

"May I see it, Miss Spencer?" asked DuQuesne from across the small
table, extending his hand.

She looked at him, hot hostility in her brown eyes, and he dropped his
hand.

"I beg your pardon," he said, with amused irony.

After the meal Seaton and Crane held a short consultation, and the
former called to the girls, asking them to join in the "council of war."
There was a moment's silence before Crane said diffidently:

"We have been talking about DuQuesne, Miss Spencer, trying to decide a
very important problem."

Seaton smiled in spite of himself as the color again deepened in
Margaret's face, and Dorothy laughed outright.

"Talk about a red-headed temper! Your hair must be dyed, Peggy!"

"I know I acted like a naughty child," Margaret said ruefully, "but he
makes me perfectly furious and scares me at the same time. A few more
remarks like that 'I beg your pardon' of his and I wouldn't have a
thought left in my head!"

Seaton, who had opened his mouth, shut it again ludicrously, without
saying a word, and Margaret gave him a startled