Come-give me--" "There! That's all you get, birthday or no birthday," replied Flo, gayly.
Carley heard the soft kiss and Stanton's deep breath, and then footsteps as they walked away in the gloom toward the stairway.

Carley leaned against the log wall.

She felt the rough wood--smelled the rusty pine rosin.

Her other hand pressed her bosom where her heart beat with unwonted vigor.

Footsteps and voices sounded beneath her.