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Aunt Jane's Nieces Out West

Holding out his hand he

said with his odd smile: "Thank you." Then he turned to shake Arthur's

hand, after which he continued: "I also am indebted to Mr. Merrick for

carrying me to the hospital. The doctor told me that only this prompt

action enabled them to resuscitate me at all. And now, I believe it

would be courteous for me to tell you who I am and how I came to be in

such dire peril."

He paused to look around him questioningly and the interest on every

face was clearly evident. Arthur took this opportunity to introduce Jones

to Louise and Beth and then they all sat down again. Said Uncle John to

the stranger, in his frank and friendly way:

"Tell us as much or as little as you like, my boy. We are not unduly

inquisitive, I assure you."

"Thank you, sir. I am an American, and my name is Jones. That is, I may

claim American parentage, although I was born upon a scarcely known

island in the Pacific which my father purchased from the government of

Uruguay some thirty years ago."

"Sangoa?" asked Arthur.

He seemed surprised at the question but readily answered:

"Yes; Sangoa. My father was a grandnephew of John Paul Jones and very

proud of the connection; but instead of being a sailor he was a

scientist, and he chose to pass his life in retirement from the world."

"Your father is no longer living, then?" said Mr. Merrick.

"He passed away a year ago, on his beloved island. My mother died

several years before him. I began to feel lonely at Sangoa and I was

anxious to visit America, of which my mother had so often told me. So

some months ago I reached San Francisco, since when I have been traveling

over your country--my country, may I call it?--and studying your modern

civilization. In New York I remained fully three months. It is only about

ten days since I returned to this coast."

He stopped abruptly, as if he considered he had told enough. The brief

recital had interested his auditors, but the ensuing pause was rather

embarrassing.

"I suppose you have been visiting relatives of your parents," remarked

Uncle John, to ease the situation.

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