The morning call., 1894-10-07

1 a
love with that woman"
The speaker, Mr.. Baitleyboy, Q c., was
walking leisurely along the EmbankmeDt.
on his way back to his chambers in the
Temple from an interview at the Hotel
Metropole.
Mr.. Battleyboy had never married. He
| was now a con frmed bachelor. Twenty
years ago, in his ardent. briefiess days, he
| had suffered a bitter disappointment in
| love which, as regards the fair sex, had. so
to speak. vaccinated him in the most eff
cacious manner, and left him from that
time forward quite impervious TO the dis
ease.
The girl with whom be fell In love was
the daughter OF Cornish parson. a simple,
beautiful creature of is, by name Minnie
| Trevor, whom he met while travelling on
the western circuit. His affection was re-
turned, and the young lady, in spite of her
parents opposition, made him the most
solemn vows of devotion and constancy.
Fate, however. interviewed in the shape OF
| a wealthy aunt, who, on hearing OF her
pretty niece'S engagement To Pennies
barrister, swooped down on the girl FORTH
with and carried her off for six months
tour Oh the Continent. In Rome they met
Young Pnddicombe, who had lately inner
tied a half million from his father. the con-
tractor, and be quickly became enamore0
of Miss Trevor. The girls aunt and all
the people backed his suit, with the result
that she was at last coerced into throwing
over Battleyboy and marrying the guided
vulgarlan.
Minnie Trevor'S marriage with young
Puddicombe did not turn out very hap
PLY. The latter was coarse. eXtravagant
and vicious. and by and by his fast man
ner of life made sad havoc both with els
health and his fortune. During his later
wears he was very little in England. but
spent most Of his time at Continental
pleasure resorts-particulary at Monte
Carlo-unlil. at the age OF A, after he nad
effectually broken the bank Of his own re-
sources, vital and pecuniary, wlDdlng-ap
order was made against him and be passed
into the hands of the great Official receiver,
death.
He left his widow and one child, girl
of II years, practically pennlless, ana lhey
had been compelled % return 20 England
and seek aid of relatives. As they would
give no assistance TO save her from such a
destiny she cast about in her mind who of
her friends would be likely to help. and
she ended by applying To ner OLD lover,
| William Battleyboy.
He therefore wrote, making an appoint
ment TO visit her at her hotel the follow
t ing afternoon, and went to see her at the
{ time fixed.
This is indeed good of you. Will Mr..
. ing as she rose 10 welcome him with a
chasteDed smile.
Nay, it is pleasure TO renew the ac-
: quainlanceship of SO old a friend, replied
: Mr.. Battleyboy little awkwardly.
a Eyes; we are very old rlends. are we
: not? l knew that / could trust you, and
that is why | have applied TO you for adj
vice in my desolatiou."
sUm-er-was your husbands death ex-
pected9" inquired Mr.. Battleyboy, at
g tempting a condolatory tone.
> ''Yes and no. Poor dear George had
. | been very i'll for months. But the end
\ came suddenly. | think that his heavy
= losses toward the end of his life hurried
= him into the grave-poor fellow"
''He has left you but little, l under
1 stand"
g ''Scarcely a shilling" (The widow was
n again much affected, and her lace pocket
handkerchief came into strong requisition).
= | "Ol course-Of cOuTse-but | must do
= something for myself at once. But-but-
I MIR. Battley boy, there is my daughter"
t SIS sue here with you Dow?
lob. yes. could not bear to be sepa-
q rated from my darling Minnie yet. The
\ separation must come soon enough. All,
: Mr.. Batlleyboy. for myself L do not mind.
= | can 60 out as companion and earn nv
It own living by the-sweat of my brow, -
+ she was going to have said. but rejecting
e that the phrase savored of indelicacy. she
n altered i. into labor of nv hands. But
, MinDie-poor Minnle-s0 young, so help
: less, so beautiful cannot-cannOt bear
; to think of her being subjected to the toll
= amt ignominy of mental service. 1t would
XIII heri"
Would none of her relatives take her to
live with tbem?" suggested the O. c.
"Neverl" she spoke, vehemently, and
her eyes flashed. They have refused Us
help. ana we would rather die than sue to
them again. But-but-l have pian-au
idea, l dare say-with a wan smile-yOu
will tell me that 1t is foolish and impracti.
cable, but desire nevertheless TO submit
it to your opinion"
Yes" said MIR. Battleyboy, encourag-
ingly.
stYou see," continued the widow. with
pretty hesitation, apart from the ignC-
minv and perhaps worse to which beau
ttu child like my Minnie would he sub
jected as goverDess the very circumstance
of her sinking into such life WOULD ruin
utterly her chance of-of you are mau
of the world. Mr.. Battleybo and will not
be shocked by my franknessl-of marrying
wellp'
But" she went on, claspng her hands
aud shedding a few tears of maternal
fondness, ''if she could have one fair
chance, a single season in town, | am
Quts sure that with her great beauty,
charms of manner and many accomplish
ments, she wouId-would-make a first
rate match. Mr.. Batleyboy, you will
| forgive my speaking IN luis Ddru, business
like manner of so romantic and sacred a
subject as love and marriage.
'Ouile So said Mr.. Battleyboy.
''But there is one great obstacle" said
the widow, pathetically. ''An obstacle
whlch-which l find ie verv difficult to
mention to you, even though / am sure you
will not misunderstood me. 1t iS-er-the
, sinews of war to carry on the campaign.
Do you-uo YoC-dear Mr.. Battley boy,
think that you could find US some one to
lend the necessary money, to be repaid.
with any interest, on my daughters mar
riage? IL do not know much about bust.
= ness" with faint smile). 81 am afraid
. | that the security would be con sidered
y weak. But-but-I am quite confident oil
Minpie's success If she has fair chance
And should she fail / would work my
l fingers to the bone to repay the money
. every penny-with INTEREST," would, in
!, deed"
"The plan requires thinking over" sat
!. Mr. Battiey bog, scarcely re pressing a smile
as the cat which he had been all the Will,
! expecting thus jumped out of the bag
4 ST, on mature reflection, il appears tn,
best course the loan can, / believe, bs
> effected. But you had better leave tina
q to me-"
= "Oh, thank you-thank you Thousand
= times" she exclaimed, fervently. "Ther,
g Is One (s0b) who does not sob forget thos,
= who Sob befriended the fatherless Sob
. sob)-aDd widow (sob-sob-sob). But