“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?”