Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

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They looked at the young fellow curiously as he came toward them. He

seemed not more than eighteen years of age and his thin features wore a

tired expression that was not the result of his recent experience but

proved to be habitual. His manner was not languid, however, but rather

composed; at the same time he held himself alert, as if constantly on his

guard. His dress was simple but in good taste and he displayed no

embarrassment as he greeted the party with a low bow.

"Ah," said Uncle John, heartily shaking his hand, "I am delighted to

find you so perfectly recovered."

A slight smile, sad and deprecating, flickered for an instant over his

lips. It gave the boyish face a patient and rather sweet expression as he

slowly replied:

"I am quite myself to-day, sir, and I have come to assure you of my

gratitude for your rescue of me yesterday. Perhaps it wasn't worth all

your bother, but since you generously took the trouble to save me, the

least I can do is to tender you my thanks." Here he looked from one to

another of the three girls and continued: "Please tell me which young

lady swam to my assistance."

"Oh, it was none of us," said Patsy. "Miss Stanton--Maud Stanton--swam

out to you, when she noticed you were struggling, and kept you afloat

until we--until help came."

"And Miss Stanton is not here?"

"Not at present, although she is staying at this hotel."

He gravely considered this information for a moment. As he stood there,

swaying slightly, he appeared so frail and delicate that Uncle John

seized his arm and made him sit down in a big easy chair. The boy sighed,

took a memorandum from his pocket and glanced at it.

"Miss Doyle and Mr. Weldon pulled out in a boat and rescued both Miss

Stanton and me, just as we were about to sink," he said. "Tell me,

please, if either Miss Doyle or Mr. Weldon is present."

"I am Arthur Weldon," said that young gentleman; "but I was merely the

boatman, under command of Miss Doyle, whom I beg to present to you."

A. Jones looked earnestly into Patsy's face.

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