an of science.

How long they remained in state of suspension while strange worlds and
planets flashed into a new sky before their startled eyes, Aaron
Carruthers didn't know. At times it seemed like hours, years, ages.
And when he thought of the tender nearness of the girl he held so
tightly within his arms, it seemed like a few minutes.

Gradually the sensation of speed and space falling began to wear off,
as if they were nearing earth or some solid substance once more. The
air about them grew heavier. Then all movement through space ceased.

Carruthers was surprised to find what felt like earth beneath his
feet. For long minutes he stood there, unmoving, still holding
possessively to the girl.

"Aaron!" The name came out of the void like a faint caress.

"Nanette."

Reassured of each other's presence they stood perfectly still, lost in
the vast silence of their isolation.

* * * * *

Presently the girl spoke. "Oh, Aaron, I'm frightened!"

"There's nothing to be alarmed at, dearest." The endearing term came
for the first time from the man's lips. As long as he had known
Nanette Danzig, love had never been mentioned between them. If it had
ever existed, the feeling had not been expressed.

"You shouldn't call me that, Aaron."

His voice sounded curiously far-off when he answered. "I couldn't help
it, Nan. Our nearness, the strange darkness, and the fact that we are
alone together brought strange emotions to my heart. At this moment
you are the dearest--"

Bump, thump! Bump, thump!

"What's that noise?" breathed Nanette.

Carruthers turned his head to listen. To his ears came the pound of
some heavy object striking the ground at well-regulated intervals.

Nanette, who had started to free herself from Carruthers violent
embrace, suddenly ceased to struggle. "Oh, what is it? What is it?"
she whispered fearfully.

Carruthers sniffed the night air. A musky odor assailed his nostrils,
strange and unfamiliar. "It's beyond me, Nanette. Let's move away from
this spot. Perhaps we can find shelter for the rest of the night."

But the Stygian blackness successfully hid any form of shelter. Tired
from their search they sat down.

"We might build a fire," suggested Carruthers, "only there doesn't
seem to be any wood around. Nothing but bare rock."

"Perhaps it's just as well," spoke the girl. "The fumes might attract
prowlers."

"Maybe you're right," agreed Carruthers.