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They spent the re practical preparations for the arrival of the first settlers Allan assured himself the waters of New Hope River were soft and pure and that an ample supply of fish dwelt in the pool as well as in the rapids--trout, salreat size, as well as other species

Beatrice and he, working together, put the largest and darkest of the caves into habitable order They also prepared, for their own use, a sunny grotto, which they thought could with reasonable labor be h it isn't our own cozy bungalow, and never can be," she rehly piled stones Allan had built "Oh, dear, if we only could have had that to live in while--"

He stopped her yearning with a kiss

"There, there, little girl," he cheered her, "don't be iarden and sun-dial and everything All in good time The more we have to overcome, the more we'll appreciate results, eh? The only really serious matter to consider now is you!"

"Me, Allan? Why, what do you h-hewn bench of logs that he had fashioned and drew her to him

"Listen, Beta This is very serious"

"What, Allan? Has anything happened?"

"No, and nothingme now Our separation, I mean"

"Our--hat--"

"Don't you see? Can't you understand? We've got to be apart a while I o alone--"

"Oh, no, no, Allan! You ! The machine will only carry, at ht Now if you take the trip back into the Abyss I can only bring one, just one of the Folk back withit will take to ure three or four days for the round trip, at the inside If you go we'll be all su even twenty-five or thirty colonists here Whereas, if you can e to let me do this work alone, we'll have fifty in the caves by October So you see--"

"You don't want to go and leave me, Allan?"

"God forbid! Shall I abandon the whole attempt and settle doith you here, all alone, and--"

"No, no, no! Not that, Allan!"

"I knew you'd say so After all, the future of the raceEven our safety has got to be risked for it So you see--"