Page:Robert William Cole - The Struggle for Empire; A Story of the Year 2236 (1900).djvu/221

 CHAPTER XVI

the Solar System was cleared of the Sirian war-ships, Alec Brandon was sufficiently recovered to be able to journey back to the earth in an ordinary passenger interstellar ship. He performed this journey for two reasons. He wanted to set his affairs in order before taking the step of marrying, and he was going to break off his engagement with Flora Houghton. The long time that he had spent with no other company but that of Celia, and the great personal attractions of that young lady, had made a complete conquest of his heart, and he had proposed to her and been accepted. The image of Flora Houghton had altogether 14