see," she cried, gazing thoughtfully about the room, while
Helen still clung to her arm. "An excuse--an excuse."

"No, no," cried the impetuous Helen. "Not an excuse. I never make any
excuse for wanting to be in a man's company. Besides----"

"Hush, child," retorted Kate. "How can I think with you chattering?
I've got to find you an excuse for going across to Charlie's place.
Now what shall it be? I know," she cried, suddenly darting across the
room, followed by the clinging Helen. "I've got it."

"Got what?" cried the other, with difficulty retaining her hold.

"Why, the excuse, of course," cried Kate, grabbing up two books from a
chair under the window. "Here, I promised to send these to Charlie
days ago. That's it," she went on. "Take these, and," she added
mischievously, "I'll write a note telling him to be sure and introduce
you to Big Brother Bill, as you're dying to--to make love to him!"

"Don't you dare, Kate Seton, don't you ever dare," cried Helen
threateningly. "I'll shoot you clean up to death with one of your own
big guns if you do. I never heard such a thing, never. How dare you
say I want to make love to him? I--I don't think I even want to see
him now--I'm sure I don't. Still, I'll take the books up if
you--really want Charlie to have them. You see, I sure don't mind what
I do to--to help you out."

Kate's eyes opened wide. Then, in a moment, she stood convulsed.

"Well, of all the sauce," she cried. "Helen, you're a perfect--imp.
Now for your pains you shan't take those books till after supper."

Helen's merry eyes sobered, and her face fell.

"Kate--I----"

"No," returned the other, with pretended severity. "It's no use
apologizing. It's too late. After supper."

Helen promptly left her side, and, with a laugh, ran to the wall where
a pair of revolvers were hanging suspended from an ammunition belt.

She seized one of the weapons by the butt, and was about to withdraw
it from its holster. But, in a flash, Kate was at her side.

"Don't Helen!" she cried, in real alarm. "Let go of that gun. They're
both loaded."

Helen withdrew her hand in a panic, her pretty face blanching.

"My, Kate!" she cried horrified. "They're--loaded?"

The other nodded.

"Whatever do you keep them loaded for? I--I never knew. You--you
wouldn't dare to--use them?"

Kate's dark eyes were smiling, but the smile was forced.

"Wouldn't I?" she said, with a curious set to her firm lips. Then she
added in a ligh