nd held
it high above his head,--"I give you with all my heart Mr. Luigi Poggi,
an honored and prosperous citizen of Flamsted--my future son-in-law--the
prospective husband of my youngest daughter, Dulcibella Caukins."

The company rose to a man, young Caukins assisting Quimber to his feet.

With loud and hearty acclaim they welcomed the new member of the Caukins
family; they crowded about the Colonel, and no hand that grasped his and
Luigi's in congratulation was firmer and more cordial than Elmer
Wiggins'. The Colonel's smile expanded; he was satisfied--the old score
was wiped out.

Afterwards with cigars and pipes they discussed for an hour the affairs
of Flamsted. The influx of foreigners with their families was causing a
shortage of houses and housing. Emlie proposed the establishment of a
Loan and Mortgage Company to help out the newcomers. Poggi laid before
them his plan for an Italian House to receive the unmarried men on their
arrival.

"By the way," he said, turning to the new head of the Upper Quarry, "you
brought up a crowd with you this afternoon, didn't you?--mostly my
countrymen?"

"No, a mixed lot--about thirty. A few Scotch and English came up on the
same train. Have they applied to you?" He addressed the manager of the
Company's sheds.

"No. I think they'll be along Monday. I've noticed that those two
nationalities generally have relations who house and look out for them
when they come. But I had an application from an American just after the
train came in; I don't often have that now."

"Did you take him on?" the Colonel asked between two puffs of his
Havana.

"Yes; and he went to work in Shed Number Two. I confess he puzzles me."

"What was he like?" asked the head of the Upper Quarry.

"Tall, blue eyes, gray hair, but only thirty-four as the register
showed--misfit clothes--"

"That's the one--he came up in the train with me. I noticed him in the
car. I don't believe he moved a muscle all the way up. I couldn't make
him out, could you?"

"Well, no, I couldn't. By the way, Colonel, I noticed the name he
entered was a familiar one in this part of Maine--Googe--"

"Googe!" The Colonel looked at the speaker in amazement; "did he give
his first name?"

"Yes, Louis--Louis C. Googe--"

"My God!"

Whether the ejaculation proceeded from one mouth or five, the manager
and foreman could not distinguish; but the effect on the Flamsted men
was varied and remarkable. The Colonel's cigar drop