l that he should be telling her all this!

"Then," he continued, "the money came to me, and since then I've been a
butterfly. I have not made good use of my wealth. I have needed a
friend, you see, to help me make my dreams come true."

He looked down at her. "Would you?" he asked.

"Be your friend?"

"Yes."

"Oh, but I'm not good enough. I've always been a little selfish thing,
except with mother. I loved her and I wasn't selfish with her. But I've
wanted a good time, and I haven't cared for anything but my own
pleasure. I'm not like your little sister, you see. I'm just a
butterfly, too."

"Oh, you--you're an angel," ardently.

Again she was thrilled. Anthony had never said such things to her.
Anthony had called her a child, and he had not needed her. And Justin
wanted her friendship! All her awakened womanhood rose to meet his
demand.

So intent was she on her thought that she did not feel the cold. But her
lips were blue, and she shivered as the wind swept around the corner.

Justin jumped at once to his feet.

"I'm a brute to keep you here. There must be some one around the place
who can take us in."

He left her, to come back presently with the news that there was a man
down at the stables, and that there was a fire in the harness room. He
brought a rain coat, and wrapped her in it, scolding himself all along
the way for his neglect of her comfort.

The stables of the Western magnate were vast and wonderful. They had
been divorced somewhat from their original use as a place for horses,
two-thirds of the space being given up to motor cars and electrics. But
the riding horses were in their stalls, and, as Bettina entered, their
heads went up.

She stopped to pet them, then the groom led the way to the harness room.

It was a picturesque place, with its lacquered leather, its shining
brass, its racing trophies, blue ribbons, gold-handled whips and crops,
silver cups and medals.

"I'll telephone for my car," Justin said, "and send a boy down to
Captain Stubbs and Miss Matthews. They'll probably go back in the boat,
now that the storm is over."

With the message sent, and the smiling groom, pleased with Justin's
generous tip, dismissed, the two were again alone.

"This is better," said Justin, as they settled themselves in front of
the fire. "Now you'll get some color in your cheeks."

With her chin on her hand, she said slowly, "Do you know that nobody
ever asked me to be his friend before?"