The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-05-30
room to write to England announcing our


for any disease.
room to write to England announcing our
euga cement"
l looked at her, unable to find words.
She appeared sane enough. though a lit
tie pale and nervous. Then l let forth
a torrent of abuse 1 don't know whether
! called her worse names than l called
him.
Betty" said, you are disgracing
your family. You have consulted no one
over this affair, and you are throwing
yourself away on a miserable whipper-
snapper whom you know nothing about,
about whom we know nothing, and who
may be swind.er or worse for all we
can tell. But, Betty, I'm not going to
allow it. AS your brother 1 absolutely
prohibit it. Do you hear? You're not
going to see the little cad again And
I'm off to his room to give him as good
a thrashing as ever he had in his life for
his imperunence.'
But, Ted, you don't understand Let
me explain"
There's no explanation necessary
think you are worse than he is A fine
thing it is for Thompson to marry a
IA Ba+ers! It's going to be stopped, I'M
derstand that! I'm not going to have the
family made laughing-stOck OF through
your folly"
her countenance, and this only irritated
me the more. ! rushed into the hotel,
dashed up the stairs, and burst into Bat
ter's room, without even knocking.
What the devil do you mean, sir, by
making love to my sister?' l demanded,
fiereely. o4
The little beggar was sitting al his wr-
ting table.
Il think" he said, putting on an air of
superiority, you might have knocked be-
fore you entered my private room"
That's got nothing to do with it. Who
the deuce are YOU to'presume to ask Miss
Thompson to be your wife?'
"Unless you moderate your language
shall have to ring the bel and have you
removed"
The cool way in which he spoke was most
provoking.
"As her brother, / have perfect right
to look after her interests"
LAS the brother Of Miss Thompson you
have no right TO insult the man whom she
has honored by promising TO marry"
Promise fddlesticks. It's rubbish, sir"
Not such rubbish as you think"
Il don't know what on earth she sees
IN you; but it's MOTTO be-"
If" said Batters evidently annoyed,
you were not quite so precipitate / would
be able to explain"
Il don't want any explanation" l roar
ed. You're a COMPOUNDED little upstart;
miserable petty impertinent fortune
hunter, and if you dare to speak to her
again I'll break your neckr'
Sir he said fiercely, "ieave this room"
II will do nothing of the kind till l have
finished talking with you
He stepped toward me and glared at
him.
Il regret" he said Miss Thompson
should have a brother who so far for
| 81 20 Ion
We'll. it's not you will teach me what
is the conduct of a gentleman
] was blind with fury, and 1 felt like
striking him. Just then side door open
ed and Watkins, the little fellows valet.
came into the room. He saw there was
! "A row.
watkins" said Batters. please ring
aud have Mr.. Thompson removed from
this ROOM
Yes. my lord"
My lord!
watkins stammered and apologized.
Batters bit his lip with veXation. Then he
threw himself on the couch and burst into
a ut Of laughter. l was perplexed
What does II mean?' / asked.
1T means sir. that you are a fool" said
Batters. Permit met ,and he drew a
card from his pocket and handed II TO
me.
"Tho Marquis of Derrisdene." | read.
eyes" said the little man. pleased az
my confusion IL have the honor to be
tho owner Of that name"
"But-but," / muttcred. II was not
aware"
"Of course. you were not. Sit down,
do sit down. You thought / was 3at-
ters-Alfred Batters."
But. my lord" I pleaded.
please don't apologize. Perhaps Won
will permit me 10 explain. OF course,
you had never seen me before. Well, I
rarely 60 into society; ! prefer travelinA.
And ! wanted TO see Egypt, but ] wanted
to do II quietly. So ! Just hid my .den
tty under the absurd uamc OF Batters.
II was n within. SRA mer whim'
"But my sister" ] said.
"Ah yes" and he smiled III IL had
not been for her would sull have re-
mained the insignificant Battcrs. But"
and he smiled, "as I am a man as we'll
aa peer t-i-to pat It plainly-fell deep
Is In love with hcr. And 7
am proud 10 think that he
reciprocatcd my regard. I did not
reveal my position because ! was anxious
70 secure her affection unaided by any
any-woli. you know a peer is supposed
to have an ADVANTAGE"
'Thcu-thcn," I said. Betty thinks you
are-arc--''
"Batters, prceisclyi And tonight pro-
pose TO inform her that IN future. instead
OF being Mrs. Alfred Batters. she viii bo
Beatrice. Marchioncgs OF Derrlsdcno."
My lord, eau only-only say that am
most-most---" &. l..'
"oh. pray dom up6losike But l would