The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-23

Minnie spoke simply and naturally
without malice, without intention. II
was the candOr of a child, which does not
recognize the wisdom of reserve, but re-
CARDS everything in the light Of its own
transparent innocence. Mr.. Battleyboy
felt that ii was so, and his manner 10
Miss Minnie, as he took his leave, was pa
ternal and benevolent.
Mamma is going to take me to the
Duchess of Standerley's ball tomorrow
night" said the girl, while bidding him
good-by. you know the duchess very
well, don't you, Mr.. Battleyboy2 At least
mamma says So. Shall you be therel"
II don't know. / have card, l believe.
But fear / shall be too busy. However,
I'll see"
Il hope you will" SAID the girl. ~
know so few people. 1t would be real
treat to me TO meet an old friend"
Mr. Battleyboy did know the duchess
very we'll He had been her friend and
confidential adviser for dozen years, and
she was one of the smart hostesses whom
he had pers uaded to extend her hospital
ity to the Puddicomes. Perhaps IL was
on this account that the widow thought
it wiser to take her daughter TO this par
ticular function.
Il will go, ;" said the O. c. to himself
next morning when he had thought his
plans out. And when the time came he
accordingly went.
On entering the crowded dancing room
he looked about for the widow and her
daughter. The former he could not dis
cover, but the latter he soon espled sit
ting disconsolately by the wall and watch
ing the dancers with enVlOus eyes. He
at once edged his way round to her, re-
sisting the advances of six elderly sirens,
who tried to intercept him on the way.
''Minnie's face frightened up when she
saw him approach and her dark eyes
flashed with pleasure.
ooh, Mr. Battleyboy, / am so glad
you have come. Do you dance, Mr.. Bat
tleybOy7"
The simple. unaffected eagerness of the
question made him smile.
Il was great dancer once, my dear, P"
he said, taking seat beside her, "but
have not waltzed now for quite ten
years"
She looked disappointed, he thought.
And then Mr.. Battleboy was moved by a
sudden and extraordinary impulse.
my dear, he said, IF you do not mind
having such an old fogy for a partner,
shall we try whether | have quite for
gotten my terpsichorean pacesp
She sprang from her seat, beaming
with pleasure.
do let US" she cried
MIR. Battleyboy found that he had by no
means forgotten his terpsichorean PAGES.
He piloted his girlish partner round the
room with skill which left nothing to be
desired, and with an energy which sur
prised himself When at the end of the
dance he led her out radiant, glowing,
breathless, he was almost as pleased as
she was.
"Oh, Mr.. Battleyboy," she gasped,
what a splendid dancer you arel /
never had such waltz"
In the conservatory they ran up against
| Mrs. Puddicombe on the arm of Sir Pri-
deaux Billhurst. The widow seemed
momentarily embarrassed when she saw
Mr.. Battleyboy, but greeted him with her
| sweetest smile Our friend just bowed
politely as he led Miss Minnie by. He
had word or two to say TO Mrs. Puddi-
combe, but then was not the opportunity.
"Can you spare me another dance OF
| two, my dear?n the Q. G. asked his part.
ner as they sat talking.
'Oh, yes! AS many as-that is with
| pleasure" She corrected herself, sud
| denly realizing that what she had begun
TO say might seem little forward
He took her card and put his name
| down for two more waltZes He was
| Battleboy the benevolent now, but By
and by, when he saw his chance of a
brief interview with Mrs. Puddicombe
he relapsed-very decidedly-into Bat
tleyboy the barrister.
Has Sir Prideax declared himself2''
he asked
Yes" murmured the widow, seeing
that further deception was useless, and
adopting her most pathetic air. 81 could
not help it-could Eff Prideaux would
fall in love with me instead of with Min,
ME. Besides, it was for Minnie's sake,
to save her the necessity-poor child !-oi
marrying so young and for money"
| Madam, said the barrister, with q
polite bow, 'your regard for YOU
daughter is so apparent that to mention
it is quite supertLous."
"Hilloa, Battley boy," said an acquaint
ance by and by, noting the Q. C.'s half
closed eyes and unusually dreamy ex
preston. "Been asleep, eh2n
Fast, my boy, I'm only just waking up
and feel rather dazed."
About six months later Mr.. Battley
boys engagement to Minnie Puddicomb:
was announced in the papers. In lega
circles it created not little amusement
"Jilted by the mother twenty years agt
and now to marry the daughter
'chuckled the master of the rolls to a dis
tinguished lord Justice.
Eyes, and she the mere chit of a girl
without penny of fortune. Battleybol
has been had after all"
Don't hint that in Benedick's pres
ence," said third occupant Of the appea
| bench, with a grin. II tried a littl
friendly chat yesterday at the club. an,
he didn't seem to like it. so Cupid
caught you mapping at last said l. %
the contrary he retorted, as freezing a.
you please, he has caught me-awakel
I
TWO FLORAL NOVELTIES.