n't care to listen to any comments on that subject."

"If you don't like my comments you needn't come here to listen to
them," retorted Belle, flaming.

The two were standing at the cook stove.

"While I am here," returned Kate with tart dignity, "please don't abuse
me."

"I say what I please to anybody if it's right," exclaimed Belle rudely.

"You'll be ashamed of yourself when you cool off," Kate returned,
pointing to the broiler: "You don't expect me to eat all that meat, do
you?"

Belle answered with an offended dignity of her own: "I expect Jim
Laramie to eat the biggest part of it. And there he comes now!"

The front door opened, in fact, while she was speaking; Kate stood with
her back to it and though by turning she could have peeped through the
curtained archway, she would not have looked for a million dollars. If
Belle wanted her revenge she had it at that moment. Kate could not
sink through the floor to escape, but how she wanted to! She did step
quickly aside hoping she had not been seen, and retired to the farthest
corner of the kitchen. Belle's mouth, before the stove, set grimly and
with her left hand she gave her wig the vicious punch she used when
wrought up. Kate motioned to her frantically. Belle regarded her
coldly but did come closer and Kate caught at her sleeve: "For heaven's
sake," she begged in a whisper, "don't let him know I'm here."

Kate eyed her anxiously. Belle's face was hard, and quick, firm steps
were coming from the front door.

"Hello, Belle!" was the greeting. Had they been Kate's death message
the words could not have frightened her more. She knew, too well, the
voice.

"You didn't get my message," were the next words flung through the
archway.

"I got it," answered Belle, going forward and providentially stopping
Laramie before he reached the curtains.

"Sit down right there," she added, pointing to a table at the rear of
the lunch room. "I hurried all I could but that rascally milkman
hasn't been here yet and there's no cream for your coffee. Your
dinner's most ready though."

She started back to the kitchen.

"Not enough for two, is there?" asked Laramie.

"Who's coming?" demanded Belle, stopping in her tracks.

"Belle, you're suspicious as a cattleman. Nobody's coming, but I'm
hungry."

While he continued his banter she served him and attempted to serve
Kate behind the curtains. By persistent, almost despairing pantomime,
Kate dissuaded her f