Air Wonder Stories, May 1930 — page 72: what you’re looking at

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

"I understand perfectly, Leonard,” the girl admitted, “but there can be only one end for any of us, No terrors that come can harm me more than they can hurt you.” Randolph lightened the tension with a laugh. “Anyway, Leonard,” he said with finality, “the stowaway can't be: put off or taken back. She seems to have everything her own way,” _ "Oh, absolutely,” said Dr: Fry. “And now, Alicia, you con- fessed an appetite. Let's eat and drink and be merry, for to- morrow we may—” “Leonard!” cried the girld. “For shame! This venture is to succeed. I simply won't have you fail!” “But we are not supermen,” he protested. “You are,” she insisted, “and the whole world Inows it!” “And that might-not count -up here,” he retorted. “But tell me,” he went on, “will you promise not to fall in love with some handsome Martian and let me go back without you?” AIR WONDER STORIES space of time, and I care too much for happiness to risk it all — by staying on one world while you go adventuring to another! “T confess that I loved you too deeply for-that, Leonard,” she went on, and Randolph listened in perfect sympathy, for here, he thought, was such a woman’ as is found but rarely. “So J came; oh, Leonard, how glad I am-in every part of me!” she ~ cried. “I should have been-anwilling to miss any of it, the glory of the beautiful, wonderful, terrible sun, the thrill of the adveriture and companionship with you—all these were lure enough, dear, and you can't blame me! “Now won't you forgive me for what I did just because I loved you so?” “Why, Alicia,” respondéd her lover, as, moved to tenderness by her appeal, he embraced ‘her endearingly, “you haven't a thing to wotry about and you've nothing to fear so long as we have strength to defend you.” “But I don’t mean that at all!” she declared. “I want you to feel that Iam not going to be in the way, a hindrance, an en- ~cumbrance, but rather a help, This is your great and wonder- HE girl merely looked at him, the light of enduring: love in her eyes, but a twisted little smile on her lips betrayed, he thought, her anticipation of a somewhat belated breakfast. This was verified the next moment as she seated herself at the table-and eagerly took the cup of coffee he poured for her. Breakfast over, Alicia told how she had carried out her plan to board the projectile. Her duplicate key- had enabled her to make elaborate plans for the venture. She had made many secret trips to the hangar with her belongings. She had out- fitted as completely as they had. Proudly she showed them the costumes she had brought, Outdoor apparel predominated, but there were pretty frocks, too. “By jove!l” exclaimed Randolph, teasingly, “Our pretty little stowaway is expecting to get into the Martian social register sure as shooting |” A shadow passed over the. scientist's face, “Ym hoping that the Martian 400 will not try to annihilate us,” he confessed. Randotph looked up surprised. From the first he had trusted his friend to the uttermost limit of human powers. He had implicitly believed Dr. Fry could do anything. “But, Leonard, we are prepared for anything that happens,” he argued. “I think we are,” said Fry, slowly. “But you must remember that the Martians might bea good deal older than we are, and have a higher civilization, It is possible that we are pygmies in power and ‘skill and mind compared to them. That is to be considered.” “Even: then,” declared Alicia, bravely loyal, “I feel that you are superior to them, whatever they may be and whatever they may do.” Dr. Fry’s countenance betrayed his misgivings, which existed only because of Alicia’s presence on the projectile, There must be no turning: back, he knew. That was impossible, for it would mean defeat. So, whatever the projectile’s destination might be, there Alicia would be bound to accompany him and Randolph. Meanwhile he could but hope for her safety and do all in his power to protect her, Es The girl sensed the anxiety that her lover did not voice, and she knew it was becanse of her. Passionately in love with him, as her presence. in the projectile eloquently attested, she now sought to dispel any worry for which she had been responsible. Apart from: her natural beauty, Alicia’s greatest charm was in her direct-speech, which she made most engaging. She-now aroused Rantlolph’s admiration anew and diminished in a degree Fry’s:perplexity by the manner in which she sought to approach a better understanding: of their. situation. “Now, Leonard,” she began, “I want you to-quit worrying about mé, You imust know it's far better as it is than if’ I were down there alone and you were going into the tnlnown, per- haps’ never to return.. Oh,we live and love for such a little bang Octal Scr te at — ful adventure, yours and his, I wouldn't have you fail for life itself. Now, won't you let me help?” she begged. “Won't you let-me share your risks the same as your triumphs when you have succeeded ?” ANDOLPH was nodding and smiling his approval as she talked. But he said nothing, for, although she had included him in at least a part of her appeal, he knew it was a matter between them alone, Presently Fry permitted the ghost of a smile to escape him. Then his eye brightened and his countenance cleared. Alicia ‘was encouraged. “And now promise you'll quit worrying about me!" she pleaded, turning her beautiful eyes full upon them. “Oh, but J haven’t been worrying,” protested Randolph, smiling encouragement. “And I shan't—any more, I promise you,” declared Fry, “Why, I’m rather glad, really, that you're here, little "Really, Leonard!” she cried. “Yes, and henceforth we are adventurers three, and whatever comes we shall face it together. And you, I think,” he praised, “are the bravest of us all.” He kissed ther tenderly. The girl’s face was now radiant, She had been accepted as a comrade and partner by the two most daring and picturesque men of her time on what, she made sure, was, up to the moment; life’s greatest adventure and undertaking, CHAPTER IV. Watching Side by Side O attempt had been made to communicate with the Earth until escape had been won from the envelope of atmos- phere surrounding the globe. Dr, Fry steadfastly had believed it would be possible to transmit and receive messages through space. So now: he sent messages advising that all was wellon the ‘projectile, but refrained from mentioning Alicia's presence. The scientist was puzzled at receiving no replies from the Earth. The projectile had been equipped with a high-powered station, with improvements designed for transmission through the ether of. outer space~But nothing came. He was disappointed. “A failure in that respect,” he observed, “But; perhaps, the messages are being received on Earth,” suggested Randolph. “T doubt it,” returned the. other, “The station in St. Louis has the same improvements we are using. If our messages get through, the replies would come:” The effort was repeated daily during the week that followed, but no messages came, It was as though the three adventurers were cut off from everybody and everything, had become living = comicbooks.com