in South Harniss. There was the usual amount
of summer gaiety, but in addition there were the gatherings of the
various committees for war relief work. Helen belonged to many of
these committees. There were dances and theatrical performances for the
financial benefit of the various causes and here Albert shone. But
he did not shine alone. Helen Kendall was very popular at the social
gatherings, popular not only with the permanent residents but with the
summer youth as well. Albert noticed this, but he did not notice it so
particularly until Issy Price called his attention to it.

"Say, Al," observed Issy, one afternoon in late August of that year,
"how do YOU like that Raymond young feller?"

Albert looked up absently from the page of the daybook.

"Eh? What?" he asked.

"I say how do YOU like that Eddie Raymond, the Down-at-the-Neck one?"

"Down at the neck? There's nothing the matter with his neck that I know
of."

"Who said there was? He LIVES down to the Neck, don't he? I mean that
young Raymond, son of the New York bank man, the ones that's had the
Cahoon house all summer. How do you like him?"

Albert's attention was still divided between the day-book and Mr. Price.
"Oh, I guess he's all right," he answered, carelessly. "I don't know him
very well. Don't bother me, Issy, I'm busy."

Issachar chuckled. "He's busy, too," he observed. "He, he, he! He's
busy trottin' after Helen Kendall. Don't seem to have time for much else
these days. Noticed that, ain't you, Al? He, he!"

Albert had not noticed it. His attention left the day-book altogether.
Issachar chuckled again.

"Noticed it, ain't you, Al?" he repeated. "If you ain't you're the only
one. Everybody's cal'latin' you'll be cut out if you ain't careful.
Folks used to figger you was Helen's steady comp'ny, but it don't look
as much so as it did. He, he! That's why I asked you how you liked the
Raymond one. Eh? How do you, Al? Helen, SHE seems to like him fust-rate.
He, he, he!"

Albert was conscious of a peculiar feeling, partly of irritation at
Issachar, partly something else. Mr. Price crowed delightedly.

"Hi!" he chortled. "Why, Al, your face is gettin' all redded up. Haw,
haw! Blushin', ain't you, Al? Haw, haw, haw! Blushin', by crimustee!"

Albert laid down his pen. He had learned by experience that, in Issy's
case, the maxim of the best defensive being a strong offensive was
absolutely true. He looked with concern about the office.

"There's