on that side sash of
rose-colored tulle with the silver tassel, and the wide collar of silver
lace?"

Justin Ford, knowing nothing of dressmakers, was none the less aware of
the inspired creation.

"And I said yesterday that you could not wear pink! But this isn't pink,
is it? It's a rosy cloud on a May morning."

"Do you really like it?" demanded Bettina.

"I love--it."

Bettina laughed light-heartedly. It was great fun to have such a
friendly understanding with this very charming young man. She wondered
how she had quite--dared. Things seemed so different under this blaze of
light. Had she really promised to be a "little sister" to this most
distinguished gentleman?

They had come over in Bobbie's motor boat, and just before they reached
the club-house pier, Justin had said, "The first dance is mine, you
know. I'd like the second and the third, but I suppose that is
forbidden. But you must give me all you can. I feel that I have special
brotherly privileges."

She danced exquisitely, her little satin-shod feet slipping silently
through all the difficult twists and turns of the syncopated modern
dances. Justin, guiding her expertly, knew that many glances were being
leveled at them, knew that questions were being asked, that Bettina was
being weighed in the social balance by the men and women who could make
her success secure.

When he gave her over, presently, to another partner he became aware of
undercurrents. The girl with whom he danced shrugged her shoulders when
he spoke with enthusiasm of Bettina's beauty.

"Sara was telling me," she said, "that she used to live in the old Lane
mansion, and that Diana Gregory has taken her up."

"Sara?"

Justin looked across the room to where Sara was dancing with Bobbie.
And he made up his mind that before the evening was ended he should have
something to say to the haughty little lady in blue.

His opportunity came, presently, when he claimed Sara for a Spanish
variation of the ever-popular Boston, in which his step particularly
suited hers.

"Look here," he remarked, as they swayed to the music, "it's up to us,
Sara, to see that Bettina makes a hit."

Sara, tilting her chin, demanded, "Why?"

"Because she is Diana Gregory's friend, and Diana's anxious to have
people like her."

"Why?"

He gazed down at the irritating profile.

"You know why," he said with great distinctness. "Diana Gregory has a
big heart, and this child has had a hard time. Diana