himself in trade--the goal of so many of
his thrifty countrymen.

These two Italians were typical of thousands of their nationality who
come to our shores; whom our national life, through naturalization and
community of interests, is able in a marvellously short time to
assimilate--and for the public good. Intelligent, business-like, keen at
a bargain, but honest and graciously gentle and friendly in manner,
Luigi Poggi soon established himself in the affections of Flamsted--in
no one's more solidly than in Elmer Wiggins', strange to say, who
capitulated to the "foreigner's" progressive business methods--and after
three years of hard and satisfactory work at the quarries and in the
sheds, by living frugally and saving thriftily he was able to open the
first Italian fruit stall in the quarry town. The business was
flourishing and already threatened to overrun its quarters. Luigi was in
a fair way to become fruit capitalist; his first presidential vote had
been cast, and he felt prepared to enjoy to the full his new
Americanhood.

But with his young manhood and the fulfilment of its young aspirations,
came other desires, other incentives for making his business a success
and himself a respected and honored citizen of these United States.
Luigi Poggi was ready to give into Aileen's keeping--whenever she might
choose to indicate by a word or look that she was willing to accept the
gift--his warm Italian heart that knew no subterfuge in love, but gave
generously, joyfully, in the knowledge that there would be ever more and
more to bestow. He had not as yet spoken, save with his dark eyes, his
loving earnestness of voice, and the readiness with which, ever since
his appearance in Flamsted he ran and fetched and carried for her.

Aileen enjoyed this devotion. The legitimate pleasure of knowing she is
loved--even when no response can be given--is a girl's normal emotional
nourishment. Through it the narrows in her nature widen and the shallows
deepen to the dimensions that enable the woman's heart to give, at last,
even as she has received,--ay, even more than she can ever hope to
receive. This novitiate was now Aileen's.

As a foil, against which Luigi's silent devotion showed to the best
advantage, Romanzo Caukins' dogged persistence in telling her on an
average of once in two months that he loved her and was waiting for a
satisfactory answer, served its end. For six years, while Romanzo
remained at Champ-au-Haut, the gi