THE BLACKENED BAG As it chanced, she did not turn.

The hall door opened--the head behind the settee sank down again.

Jack Bailey entered, carrying a couple of logs of firewood.
Dale moved toward him as soon as he had shut the door.
"Oh, things have gone awfully wrong, haven't they ?" she said with a little break in her voice.
He put his finger to his lips.
"Be careful!" he whispered.

He glanced about the room cautiously.
"I don't trust even the furniture in this house to-night!" he said.

He took Dale hungrily in his arms and kissed her once, swiftly, on the lips.