had been an accomplished diplomatist, she could have
planned nothing better for her popularity.

As for the faded-out woman, her opinion, which had been tottering under
a severe reproof from Cutey, now underwent a complete revolution.

"_Them_ kind never faints!" she said to herself dogmatically, as she
assisted Marian to her room and begged her to "take things easy like."
She patiently answered one hundred and seven inquiries that evening,
varying from, "How's the sick lady?" to, "Jim Wilmer's gal perking up a
little arter her faint?" and for the rest of Marian's stay in Mariposa
she proved that kindliness of heart had been one of the "fast colors."

It was but natural that Cutey should feel a friendly interest, since he
dealt out at least two hundred extra drinks, at highly remunerative
prices, on her account that evening; and moreover, the Doctor "tipped"
him handsomely for extra care and attention. In a week after her
arrival, Marian had learned all that anybody in Mariposa knew regarding
"Jim." She wore that curious ring upon her finger now. There were two
letters upon the disk, but no one ever had the hardihood to ask what
they were.

Punks, whose eyes were keen, and whose curiosity was keener, declared
that they were "i l," with a "little quirl-like" between.

Punks also knew--a fact which did credit to his powers and habits of
observation--that on the disk of the ring which Jim wore on his little
finger were the letters "Fa."

Punks desired to know what "Fail" spelled but "fail." He further
inquired "what they wanted to hev sech a doggoned mis'able word as thet
on a ring fur?"

"'T'orter be 'love' or sunthin'," he added critically.

It was only after much questioning in divers places, and the exercise
of a deal of patience and some finesse, that Marian learned the present
whereabouts of the half-crazed hermit "all unblessed." When last seen,
something less than a week before her arrival, he had been wandering
through the neighboring mountains, half-clothed in wretched rags,
living on berries and roots, alternately muttering and shrieking the
vagaries of his unhinged mind.

They were loth to tell her, even those who knew it. Their rude
externals seemed to have made their hearts softer. It hurt them to see
the pink color fade from her cheeks, and the shadow of sharp pain creep
over her beautiful face; so she had to learn the lesson of smiling when
her heart ached worst. The two Mexicans, cattle herders,