direction of Miss Joy, a glance which Gresham jealously resented.

"Me!" Polly gaily told him, thrusting her subscription list into the
pocket of Sammy Chirp. "You haven't seen me since I got back."

"You're no surprise--you're a gasp!" he informed her, heartily glad
to see her. "That sunset bonnet is a maraschino."

"Pinkest one they had," she complacently assured him. "I want you to
meet some friends of mine, Johnny." And, with vast pride in her
acquaintanceship with all parties concerned, she introduced him to
Constance and Aunt Pattie.

Johnny Gamble and Constance Joy, for just a moment, looked upon each
other with the frank liking which sometimes makes strangers old
friends. Gresham saw that instant liking and stiffened. Johnny
Gamble, born in a two-room cottage and with sordid experiences
behind him of which he did not like to think in this company,
dropped his eyes; whereupon Miss Constance Joy, who had been cradled
under silken coverlets, studied him serenely. She had little enough
opportunity to inspect odd types at close range--and this was a very
interesting specimen. His eyes were the most remarkable blue she had
ever seen.

"Cousin Polly has been telling us most pleasant things about you,"
she observed.

"Your cousin Polly?" he inquired, perplexed.

"Yes; we're cousins now," announced Polly happily. "It's the first