The log cabin Democrat., 1916-05-22
DONNA NATHALIE
By lzOLA FORESTER.

But, Santy, there are limits.' Ba- bette pushed back her white sunbonnet belllgerently. Down on her knees, she was diligently wedding out the sweet pea rows. Her hands were soiled and unseemly looking, her face was Flushed and freckled, and altogether she looked absolutely unpresentable, as her mother would have said.
 Tt isn't everyone who has such a lovely mother Cant you appreciate that?" asked Santangelo, amusedly. He leaned over the fence from his side of the garden, a 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 chance, Santy. 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 tine remedy for that-marry her off,"
 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, Santy, with medals all over him and scads of money"
 He watched the slim figure in the linen skirt and middy speed away to the car. His eyes glowed, watching her alight, the lady mother, as Babette loved to call her. She was hardly old CT 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. 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 busv!" he called back cheerily.
 You know I 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 if she ever accepted him 1t would be when she was very tired. Why? Because he 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 Romley?"
 "Very much" he said heartily. He is a splendid chap"
 He Is twenty six she hesitated. but he has really accomplished so 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 we'll liked and prosperous and very good looking. What else. Donna Nathalie?"
 T wonder if he will make a good husband, Santangelo," she said softly. He drew in deep full breath of the keen air and smiled at her.
 And I was just considering how I could warn you Tn the tenderest man. ner that I should ask you but once more, and. 10, comes the conqueror and bears you right out from my sight, ah 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 to him laughingly. He has asked me for Babette, and can't say yes. She Is so young"
 Santangelo looked down at her, hold ing both her hands in his, his dark eyes full of whimsical reproach.
 And I have been betrayed" he cried. T 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 villa? And afterward, four years aft. CT 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 cnly next door"
 "Babette begged me to help her with her gardening"
 And l begged you to help with vprVthin Nowora <Lz