e concluded, noting her sober face.

"What is the matter?"

"Why, you're as solemn as an owl."

"Do you object to my sitting down for a moment?"

"Not for two moments. I'm glad to see you." Winston rose hastily and
swung a chair into position.

"That's better," she approved.

"Good! Now if you'll get better, I shall know where I'm at."

"I've come here to find out where _I'm_ at."

"If you are lost, it's the first time, I'm thinking, and I'm not so sure
that I can set you straight."

"I'll take my chances. Who is Elijah Berl?"

Winston laughed.

"Oh, he's gotten hold of you, has he?"

"No, he hasn't; but I want to get hold of him to the extent of five
thousand dollars. That is the limit of my cash money."

Winston smiled tolerantly.

"Elijah has certainly missed his calling. If he can work you up five
thousand dollars' worth in an hour or so, I'll play him the limit
against Wall street."

"No you won't. You don't know Elijah Berl."

"Then what are you asking me about him for?"

"Oh! that was just a starter. I had to begin somewhere."

"Isn't five thousand dollars a pretty heavy starter for you, Helen?"
Winston asked the question soberly, for he saw that Helen was in
earnest.

"No. I've kept out of Ysleta because it wasn't worth while. I want to
get into Las Cruces because it is."

"It may be, Helen. It is full of promise, but it may not mature. I know
the proposition pretty thoroughly and I know Elijah Berl. The elements
of this may not be so solid as they appear."

"The watershed is all right, isn't it?"

"Without a question."

"The water can be brought from the reservoir to the lands?"

"No question about that, either."

"And the land is fertile and suited to oranges?"

"That's true too, but it needs money."

"You'll get that all right."

"I expect to, without doubt."

Helen had spoken with growing animation.

"Then the whole doubt in your mind centres in Elijah Berl?"

"You've hit it exactly."

"And yet you are a friend of Elijah's?" There was a touch of contempt in
her voice.

"Yes."

"Then I must say that I don't value your friendship quite so highly as I
did." Helen made no attempt to conceal her disapproval.

Winston spoke deliberately, weighing every word.

"I'm sorry to hear you say that, Helen. Your friendship means a great
deal to me. Just remember that in a way you have come to me for advice.
If not advice exactly, you really ask for the approval of what I can