Saint Mary's beacon., 1916-06-29
DONNA NATHALIE
By lzoLA FORESTER.

pea rows Her hands were soiIed and
unseemIy looking, her face was
flushed and freckled. and altogether
she looked absolutely unpresentable
as her mother would have said.
1T isn't everyone who has such
lovely mother. Can't you appreciate
that?" asked santangelo. amusedly
lie leaned over the fence from his
side Of the garden, large flexible
Panama shading. his dark, strongly
lined face. How old are you. Babette
fourteen"
No, I'm sixteen, going on seven
teen. And I'll never have the ghost OF
a chance, Sanity. She takes every last
fellow away from me that comes to
this house"
You mean your youthful compan-
ions admire your mother more than
your own self7p Santangelo's eyes we're
brimming with enjoyment Of her in
dignation. "You know the remedy for
that marry her on
Then a gray and silver car slipped
into the curving drive around the
house and Babette jumped up.
There she is now. And Doctor
Romley with her. He's an explorer.
Sanity, with medals all over him and
scads OF money
He watched the slim figure in the
linen skirt and MILDLY speed away TO
the car. His eyes glowed, watching
her alight, the lady mother, as Babette
loved to call her. She was hardly old
er than thirtysfour, slender and beau.
tiful as an artist mind counts beauty.
Santangelo had painted her portrait
twice and yet he felt unsatlsfied. He
had never caught the infinite, tender
charm OF her after an. It eluded him
even as she herself always had In the
years Of her long widowhood.
And now her child Pabette was
growing into womanhood. And the
time was drawing near the limit that
he had imposed upon himself when he
would ask her mother again for her
love.
The shadows were beginning to fall
along the far horizon line OF the sea
when he heard Nathalie call him at
the little opening between the two
gardens.
Are you very busy?"
Never, never too busyi" he called
back cheerlly.
you know am almost tired to
night" Nathalie said
He glanced at her quickly
Once long ago she had told him half
in jest half IN earnest. that II she
ever accepted him It would be when
she was very tired Why? Because
he rested her and gave her a sense
OF peace and well-heing.
'Let us walk down through the gar
den TO the beach" he said taking her
lightly by her wrist. And he knew
suddenly that she wanted to break
some news to him.
do you like Doctor Romley?"
Very much" he said heartily "He
is a splendid chap"
''He is twentyslx.7 she hesltated.
but no has really accomplished 20
much one never thinks oF his age. He
is a leader now IN all lines Of scien-
tific research
Undoubtedly" agreed santangelo.
And he Is wen liked and prosperous
and very good looking What else.
Donna Nathalie7'
Il wonder II he will make good
husband, SantangeIo," she said softly.
He drew in deep full breath OF the
keen air and smiled al her.
And was just considering how
could warn you IN the tenderest man
ner that should ask you but once
more and, 10, comes the conqueror
and bears you right out from my sight,
an, my Nathalie
you mean the doctor seeks me?
Oh, santangelo. how funny; yes. how
droll That I should even think OF
such boy oh, my dear She held
out her hands 70 him Iaughlngly "He
has asked me for Fabet.e, and can't
say yea. She Is so young"
Santangelo looked down at her, hold
ing both her hands in his. his dark
eyes full Of Whimsical reproach.
And have been betrayed" he
cried. y have asked you again, or
at least, have once more showed you
how patient am and how ] dare al
ways to hope"
"Always,' she repeated, smiling,
DO you remember whom | first met
you in Rome years ago, and you want
ed to paint my portrait? Those days
on the coast at the quaint little old
villa? And afterward. four years AFT.
er that when you came here. and
painted me AGAIN, and YOU liked the
location. you said, and the island air.
SO you built your studio only next
door"
'Babette begged me TO help her
with her gardening"
And begged you to help with
everything the flowers, the rearing
OF Rabette was there anything / did
not trouble You abont?o
Then perhaps You may even miss
me. All as she tried to speak, "a
man, even a man Ike myself. cannot
stand It always TO gaze at the star
he may not reach. shall sail this
summer for home" I"
Not this summer. SantangeIo. or
next. she laughed softly.
Behind them Babette and the doc
tor strolled. hut turned hack AZ sight
i of the figures In silhouette against the
sky Bahette whispered happily
"Santangelo Is a barsfaced fraud.
He wanted her himself all the time
(Conyright 1916 by the Mcclure Newspa
per syndicate)