Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-07-23

mingled selfreproach and pleasure.
"Bella Donna! Bella DOnnaW she
repeated again and again. "What
does it mean ? Is it his name for
mel and is it French for Bella
Doane, | wonder I"
"BelIa DonnG,-beautiful lady,"
said the artist to himself as he re-
entered the studio and stood again
before the finished picture. But he
turned the canvas suddenly and
covered the easel, as the form of
his handsome young cousin at this
point darkened the doorway.
"Well, Bond, how does the
scenery pan outi" he began, as he
threw himself into chair and
lighted a cigar.
"First-rate, Harry. When are
you of for Saratoga
"Oh, tomorrow, | suppose. |
promised Grace on my word ami
honor I'd be there in time for
her german. I'm getting pref
ty fond of this quiet old hole,
though-capital fishing up the lake.
Shouldn't wonder if ! drlfted
round this way again. | say,
Bond, why don't you go on to
Saratoga with mel Grace couldn't
say enough about it in her last
letter. tell you girl with her
capital isn't to be Tilted for nothing,
and YOU know well enough you
could haye her for the asking. It's
high time for a rowing old dabster
like You to settle down for life
Now, you needn't look at me. I'm
a different subject. A fellow who
has had more than he knows how
to handle dropped Unexpectedly
out of his fathers pocket into his
own can afford to drift about with
the wind, and settle down or not,
as he chooses; and when / marry,
it can be tor good looks, talents, or
disposition, as the case may be,
without respect to my lady's IN
come. Come, Bond, what do you
say? Why won't you come down
with me and clinch the bargain :"
81 don't happen to be in love
with the young lady, my dear fel-
low said Waring, smiling quietly,
as he removed the pant from his
palette.
"Oh, stuff and nonsense You're
too old customer to talk of falling
in love-"
"Not quite, my boy. BE careful
of your sentiments
"You don't mean it. BY Jove
| believe you're in earnest, old fel-
low. Who is she : Tell me all
about her. agree to swap secrets,
for YOU may not believe me, but
Pm in love myself
"Ah! That's the way the wind
blows? Well, Harry Pm glad tc
to hear It, for it's high time YOU
stopped your wildcat sowing
Give us az OccOunt of YOURSELF
"Not until we hear from you, old
boy. Say, where does she live
When did you meet her y
wI-m. On what do you basC
these inquiries Z"
"Oh, come now. Don't put OIL
the innocent. You've made your
concession, and you can't wheedlt
me now. TO tell the truth, Bond
Pm nightly glad for you, for
wouldn't be in your lonesome ole
shoes for a fortune. Is it any ont
Iknow ? Have | ever seen her
Say"
"Probably not. That depends
on where you spent last week.
"Oh, I've been up to the head ol
the lake for the most part with the
fellows. Why? You don't mean t
say she's a native" 7"
81 don't mean to say anything
no."
"Well, show me her picture
Bond. ! dare say you've got I'd
whole thing on canvas under tha
cloth over there. Life.size, too, II
warrant" and the young fellow
made a stride for the easel.
"Hold on, sir" and Warinj
grasped him iiercely by the collar
"Take care how you meddle wit
private property. If you'll 81
down and calm yourself, III Civ
You something to quiet you," an
carelessly turning the leaves OF hi
portfolio he drew out a charmln
little sketch of Bella in her sailo
consume, her girlish figure outlir
ed against the white sail of he
! boat.
"Bond Waringw and Harr
, started from his seat. ws that tn
J girl you mean TO marry
"That is the girl mean to marry
my boy, provided l am happ
, enough to raise the ghost of al
inducement."
3 "Then, by Jupiter it's a case
1 coffee and pistols for two, for thl
is the Identical girl | had referenc
to myself"
] The two men faced each other
T silence for moment, and WARM
. paled trife as as he replied
"There is a mistake somewher
s You have been in this vicinity jui
5 one week, and according to you
3 own statement have spent th'
q time in fishing on the lake,