For he was in his own eyes an insignificant person compared to John Falconer, who had done things worth doing in the world.

Nick was clean shaven, and Falconer wore a close-cut brown beard, which gave him somewhat the air of a naval officer, though his face was not so deeply tanned.

Falconer and his sister had the bestsaid there was practically no hope that the girl would ever be herself again.

She stood talking on the veranda to Falconer and Mrs. Harland, as she waited for Angela to come down, and for Hilliard to bring round the car.

" "Who is the beautiful Mrs. May?" asked Falconer.

It was at this moment that Falconer determined to tell Mrs. May something about certain private interests of his at Paso Robles, which he had not intended to mention.

" "I'm not Mrs. Harland's kind," Nick explained; "nor Falconer's, though he's too big a man to care for what people call 'social distinctions.'

He had had his moments of hope, but with Falconer for a rival the handicap was too great.

A servant of the hotel came out, but behind the liveried man appeared the tall figure of John Falconer, with a woman at his side.

"We've been anxious about you," Falconer said, coming forward.

"This is the lady I told you of," Falconer said to Angela, when he had heard the story of the adventure.

Perhaps she had even asked Falconer to help her out of a situation which, for some dreadful reason, she suddenly found impossible.

This was very likely Falconer's way of coming to the rescue.

Nick thanked Falconer, and said that he was sorry to miss such a pleasure, but could not trust Billy to drive the Bright Angel: he must stick to the helm.

When he shook hands with Mrs. May, Falconer and Sonia Dobieski turned aside a little, speaking to each other.

It was consoling to think that Falconer had been in love with the Dobieski long before he saw her: and Theo could almost forgive the Russian, whom she considered plain and gawky compared to herself.

She knew that he had met Falconer and admired him; and putting two and two together, she fancied that already Nick must have come West, meaning to surprise her by his sudden appearance; that he had fallen in with Mrs. Harland and Falconer on the journey, perhaps been invited by them, and suggested, or at least hinted, that she should be asked to join the house-party at the same time.

She knew that he had met Falconer and admired him; and putting two and two together, she fancied that already Nick must have come West, meaning to surprise her by his sudden appearance; that he had fallen in with Mrs. Harland and Falconer on the journey, perhaps been invited by them, and suggested, or at least hinted, that she should be asked to join the house-party at the same time.

Falconer's big automobile, which he kept at the "Camp," ran up the steep gradients without appearing to know that they existed, and Carmen strove to be cheerful, to look as if she were enjoying the drive.

1.] Mr. Falconer King said: "There would be no advantage in having a jolting motion; the jolting motion would break the circuit and be a defect in the speaking telephone," and "you must have pressure and partially conducting substances.

Falconer, The Shipwreck, i. 2 (1756).

"Direct her onward to that peaceful shore, Where peril, pain and death are felt no more!" Falconer's Poems, p. 136; Barrett's New Gram., p. 94 BAD ENGLISH BADLY POINTED.

Leslie Scott Falconer Mitchell (E); 4Feb55; R144169.

Doris L. Falconer (W); 8Nov57; R202224. SMITH, LESLIE C. The boy's life of Kit Carson.

The Falconer; a brilliant little picture by A. Fraser.