[IT WAS SWEET TO BE CHAFFED, TO BE HEEDLESSLY YOUNG ONCE MORE]

[SHE CREPT OUT UPON THE LANDING OF THE STAIRS, AND SAT THERE DESOLATELY ON THE TOP STEP]

[SHE TOOK THE PISTOL FROM HIS RELAXED HOLD]

[THE TWO WOMEN SITTING ON THE BENCH, WRAPPED AROUND BY THE LONELINESS AND THE INTENSE STILLNESS OF THE ONCOMING NIGHT]

['THEY'LL GET FULL OF EARTH AGAIN,' SHE PROTESTED]

[LOIS STOLE INTO THE ROOM]

Copyright, 1908, by The S. S. McClure Co. All rights reserved