and, "tinkle, tinkle," sounded
the chime of the flashing rings which Anthony had given her.

Justin saw her catch at them, saw her look of frightened appeal as she
thrust them hurriedly back into their hiding-place.

She rose slowly from the rug; slowly she took the little silver ring
from her finger; slowly she handed it back to him.

"Please, I must not wear it," she said, with a break in her voice. "I
must give it back to you--my friend."

CHAPTER XV

IN WHICH BETTINA FLIES

In the clear days which followed, Justin gave his undivided attention to
flying. Not once did he see Bettina. Not once did he join the party of
young people of which he had been the leading spirit.

In vain did Bobbie formulate enticing plans.

"We'll go to Cat Island with Captain Stubbs, fish all day, and have
chowder on the rocks."

There had been one glorified fishing trip for Justin with Bettina. He
wanted no other.

"I've wasted enough time," he said shortly. "I came here to practice
flying, not to do social stunts."

Sara urged him also. "You haven't played a set of tennis with me since
you came up," she complained. "Of course I know you're simply crazy over
Betty Dolce, but that needn't cut me out entirely. I thought my
friendship meant something to you, Justin."

"It does," Justin told her, honestly, "but I'm not in a mood for
tennis, and as for Betty Dolce, I haven't seen her for a week."

Sara was cheered by his statement. If his absorption was simply in his
flying machine, she could wait. Men always returned finally from
machines to femininity.

So Justin flew and flew, looking down at times upon the tops of the
houses in the quaint coast towns, at other times having beneath him and
above him blue sea and blue sky.

And everywhere he went, he knew that people were craning their necks and
crying out in wonder, for in this part of the world, at least, such
aerial craft were rare visitors.

And when he grew tired of great heights, he would let his shining ship
slide down the air currents until it touched the water; then like a
mammoth aquatic bird it would swim the surface, and the sailors on the
big yachts would lean out over the sides and hail him, and the motor
boats would follow him, until, at last, growing impatient of their close
observance, he would rise again, higher and higher in the golden haze;
earth would be left behind, and he would be alone with his thoughts.

And he thought always of Bettina.