The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-23
MR.. BATTLEBOYS
AWAKENING.
From the London Truth.

- VI - A0eAALEQs 4NahAAE W VIC haAa
her daughter, whom she presented in due
form to Mr.. Battleyb boy. The barrister
surveyed her, and with those keen, criti-
cal eyes of his, ana felt first
OF all that the girls mother had
very much exaggerated her good looks.
But by and by, when Miss Minnie's
| opening shyness wore of, and she
became animated and natural, he was
| fam TO admit that she was very beauti-
! full girl after all
Upon my word, +" reflected Mr.. Battley-
boy. i do believe the mothers right.
| Given fair chance and iudicious man
| agement, that girl might catch coronet.
But she IS rather young to be hawked
about the marriage market at present.
However, 1t is no use TO DO deferred by
that consideration, for she cannot afford
to wait"
Soon afterward he rose to take his de-
parture. Mrs. Puddicombe accompanied
him to the door,
well, Mr.. Battleyboy," she asked him
IN low voice, and with quite her most
fascinating smile, land now that you
have seen Minnie, what do you think of
my schemel"
That it is practicable replied the Q.
G. slowly. II will communicate with you
tomorrow, Mrs. Puddicombe."
Having once made up his mind to assist
the widow, Mr.. Battleyboy was not the
man TO let the grass grow under his feet
or TO. dispense his bounty with niggard
| hand Had Mrs. Puddicombe been diff
| ferent sort of woman, he would have pro-
posed TO invest modest sum for her ben
eht, the income of which should, at any
rate, keep her from want But seeing
how luxurious and extraVagant she was,
ana that no humble prospects would sat
isfy her. he decided to let her have this
one chance OF recovering her social posi-
ton by securing an eligible parti for Miss
Minnie. And in three weeks time Mrs.
Puddicombe aud Minnie were installed in
apretty little furnished house near Ken
sington High street, the rent, menage
and all expenses connected Herewith, be-
ing betrayed from the loan, whieh-for
he kept up that polite fiction--Mr. Bat
| tleyboy had procured for his clients.
| When MIR. Battleyboy had tins fairly
launched them, he considered that his
share OF the business was completed, and,
not without great relief, left Mrs. Puddi-
combe to conduct her campaign in her
] own way. He seldom met the ladies', for
| he disliked social gatherings, and never
! attended them when it was possible to
/ avoid it. Nor did he call on his proteges
except very occasionally, for fear lest the
| tongues of the gossips should be set wag
| ging But he had stipulated with Mrs.
! Puddicombe that if anything important
]
him by letter. And when the campaign
had lasted some. two months, he one day
received the following:
Philllmore Gardens, Kensington. - Dear
| Mr. Batteyboy: l write to ask whether you
1 can give me information on most important
point Do you know Sir Pridea * Billhurst,
and anything about his means? He is thor
oughly smart, l know, d we are tod that
like to be quite sure. He is always at our
house now, and he must make his declaration
! shortly. Dear Minnie! Darling child! My
/ one hope and stay in my loneliness How
could bear 10 part with herr And yet It Is
for the best Besides, her happiness should
be paramount with me cannot write more.
| My mothers heart is too full Yours sin
MINNIE PuDD1coMBE.
MIR. Battleyboy read this characteristic
letter with thoughtful frown, and when
| he had completed it, threw it down in a
manner expressive of perturbation-
"The child ought not to be sacrificed to
such a man." he said. Smart, yes, he's
smart enough. Meansl They are exag-
gerated though 1 dare say he is worth
seven thousand year. But little else can
/ be said for him. A silly, sensual noodle
q vacuous, conceited masher! How could
she be happy with the mandy pamby
rake! BY jove, wish she had hooked
any other mani do, iudeedl"
He put the letter in his pocket, intend
ing to answer it on the first opportunity
But, in the course of the day, after think
I ing much about IL, he determined to see
| the widow personally, and, acting on this
resolve, walked down to Kensington al
about 80 p. M. which was the earliest
hour he could manage, owing to his many
| engagements.
mot at home, sir,'' said the maid who
answered the door.
"Will she be in soon2n asked Mr.. Bat
tleybey.
IT believe not, sir. Miss Puddicombe
is at home, if you would like to see her. .
| mo, thank you. I-Stay; yes, | will
though" And a minute later he was
ushered, under the title of MIR. Fattyboy
into that elegantly furnished drawing
room on which the widow had lavished j
large sum of (his) money, with noble
disregard of this) expenses.
Miss Minnie was reading by the fire
She threw down her book on Mr. Battley'
boys entrance and sprang up to greet
him with smile of welcome on her fan
young face.
II am so glad to see you, MIR. Battley
boy,'i she cried. "It is ages since you
were here last. Mamma has gone out and
] am all Alone I hope you will stop and
keep me company Bit"
II really called to see your mother on
business" he said, taking her hand, and
perhaps shewill be in soon. Shall wait
till she returnsli'
mot unless you are prepared to wait
until or O'Clock a. M" she replied
with gay laugh mamma has gone &c
Richmond for dinner and dance to fol
low at Lady Nasselby's"
In that case fear it is not much use
my waiting" he answered; and then he
added, ut is rather dull for you, being
left alone like this -
1T is rather, she said, with little sigh
"But am used to it. do not so GU
much, you know"
"Ehp' exclaimed Mr. Battleyboy, won
dering what she meant for he imagined
that she and her mother were out nearly
every night in the week. mot 90 out
muchl | thought that you were living il
a perfect vortex of gayety."
Mamma is out great deal. But shi
has only taken me TO two Conversations
and one bali The ball was delightful
only ! knew so few people that / had very
little dancing. Mamma says that | an
too young to go out much, you know,
she added, with pretty pout
Mr.. Battleyboy regarded her steadily
He was quite sure that she was speaking
the truth and equally sure. from hei
childish, simple way OF talking TO him
that she bad no knowledge of the matri
monial schemes which were beinl
Matched for her. But what did her moth
er's conduct meant Perhaps she was 81