The Lamar register., 1916-08-09
DONNA NATHALIE
BY IzoLA FORESTER.

..
unseemly looking, her face was
flushed and freckled. and altogether
she looked absolutely unpresentable,
as her mother would have said.
at isn't everyone who has such
lovely mother Can't you appreciate
that7" asked Ssntangelo, amusedly
He leaned over the fence from his
tide 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 nsver have the ghost of
Il 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 self?" Santangelo's eyes were
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 I'm 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
sr than thirty-four, slender and beau
tiful as an artist mind counts beauty
Santangelo had painted her portrait
twice and yet he felt unsatisfied He
had never caught the infinite. tender
charm OF her after all. II eluded him
even as she herself always had in the
years OF her long widowhood.
And now her child Rabette 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 busyl" he called
back cheerily.
you know l 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 II would be when
she was very tired Why Because
be rested her and gave her a sense
Of peace and well-being.
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 Romley2"
VERY much" he said heartily. He
10 splendid chap"
He is twenty six" she hesitated.
but he has really accomplished so
much one never thinks OF his age. He
tinc research"
Undoubtedly" agreed Santangelo
And he is well liked and prosperous
and very good looking. What else.
Donna Nathalie?"
Il wonder II he will make a good
husband, Santangelo." size said softly
He drew in a deep full breath OF the
keen air and smiled at her
And I was Just considering how I
could warn you IN the tenderest man
ner that l should ask you but once
more. and, 10. comes the conqueror
and bears you right out from my sight
ali. my Nathalie
You mean the doctor seeks me?
Oh, santangelo. now funny: yes. how
droll That I should even think OF
such boy-oh. my dear" She held
out her hands to him laughingly He
has asked me for Babet.e. and l can't
say yes She is so young"
Santangelo looked down at her. holo.
ing both her hands in his. his dark
eyes full OF whimsical reproach.
And I have been betrayed" he
cried. 81 have asked you again. or
at least. have once more showed you
how patient I am and how dare al
ways to hope"
Always" she repeated, smiling
DO you remember when I 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
ytllap And afterward four wears aft