The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1876-05-19

| My cheeks bloom younger in thy breath
Till thou art mine and am thine,
Without a thought of pain death;
And yet, at times my eyes are wet
| With tears for her cannot see
Oh mother, art thou living yet,
And dOst thou still remember me;
TERESA.
Light, heat, beauty, life-giving south
/ The artist seeks it for its glorious depths
Of color; the poet for its classic tradi-
tions and dreamy influences the invalid
for its balmy breath and reviving warmth,
which stir the pulses that in northern
lands would cease to beat. Lionel Mer-
ton, half poet, half artist. and half in
valid, sought it for life both of mind
and body; and his delicate frame-shat-
tered by the chill blasts of the north
woke to new being in the soft AusO-
nian climate, whilst his artist eye glanced
with pleased delight over luxuriant
plains and olive-planted slopes, with here
and there glimpse of the yellow Tiber
flowing majestIcally along.
He was Just now standing in the door
way of the inn gazing, not at the land
scape or the skies, but at face that had
attracted his attention more than once
since his arrival at -. He had seen
it first in the beautiful gardens of the
villa, not far from the inn, peering
through the parted branches of myrtle,
whose dark glossy leaves seemed to form
fitting framework for the living picture
behind them. But the branches had
closed hastily, as the girl met the blue
eyes of Lionel fixed steadfastly upon her.
"We must go home. Tina" said she
to the child, who was watching the
doves wash themselves in the basin of
the fountain, and she swung it up to her
shoulder, where it wound its tiny hands
in her dark hair, lOOsening some of the
coils that fell heavily down below her
waist. A flush came over the pale olive
skin.
"Thou art a bad child, Tina~ she
said, as she hastily twisted up the long
tresses under the folds of her white head
gear.
The large Iustrous eyes had but look
ed at Lionel for moment, and yet they
seemed to have told him long story
that he had been in the past trying to
decipher.
Next he had seen her in the church,
kneeling in fervent prayer, and had
silently watched the changes Of coun-
tenance until again she perceived him,
and with startled look rose and fled
away.
To-day Teresa stood leaning against
stone pillar, playing with the pink
blossom of a catalpa that stood near her,
when suddenly she found herself once
more face to face with the English
stranger.
He had discovered her name-Teresa;
daughter of blind Tomaso Cecchi and
his bed-ridden wife. She was a good
daughter, and worked hard 10 support
her parents. To-day she seemed to be
taking life easiIy-drinking in the splen-
dor of the purple mists and golden
sheets of sunlight with true Italian in
dolence.
Dolce far nienter' thought Lionel, as
he looked at the statue-like figure, and
the head thrown back, partly with weari-
ness, partly with an intense appreciation
of the beauty around her.
But Teresa's rest was not to be of
long duration. The Mercanti OF the
Campagna had sent for laborers to
gather in the harvest, and men and wO-
men we're forming into bands to pin In
the work. Teresa was going, so gossip
had told Lionel, and to him it seemed
sacrilege that the beautiful maiden
should toll and slave with the common
multitude. But what could he do :?
And in the midst Of his meditations the
girl raised her face, and again their eyes
met.
"Teresaw The name burst involun-
tarily from his lips.
She started and blushed, but this
time did not flee away. She looked up
at Lionel.
{" ST, signore," she answered.
That is pretty flower" said Lionel;
"will you give it to me !"
She made no reply but put the blossom
into his hand. And so the acquaint-
ance was made and the two chatted
away in the sunshine.
Lionel had gone to Tomaso Cecchi's
lodging.
''But your daughter is not strong
enough for such work !' said he, in con
clusiOn to a long harangue.
The old man shrugged his shoulders.
I" Poverty" said he, ,'''is a hard master
aud Teresa is good girl"
Too good to endanger her life in the
tolls of the Campagna. Think of the
risk, the labor, the heat, the foul even
ing mists"
But Tomaso looked back beyond the
discomforts and remembered a time
when the plains resounded with songs
and laughter, and the wine was broached
and hearts were light.
"I found my wife there" said he,
"and Teresa may find husband"
Lionel instinctively drew back A
husband among those laboring peasants
impossible; for in his eyes Teresa was
worthy to be the bride of king.
"Can you not find substitute for
your daughter? =" and then he
hesitated, for Teresa had come into the
room.
How much will it cost to get sub
stitute, Teresa %
Teresa laughed. "Giovannetta would
pay if she could go in my place" said
she. There are too many ready and
willing to CO." -
"I.et them go then p' responded
Lionel, eargerly.
"The signore forgets we must have
money" returned Teresa.
Scarcely thinking of what he was do
ing, Lionel had poured out the contents
of purse full of English gold upon the
table. The quick ear of Tonaso caught
the sound; he stretched out his hand as
if to clutch the ringing coin. but Teresa
sprang between, turning flashing face
upon Lionel.
"We are not beggars!' she exclaimed;
"1 work for my bread !"
Will you not let me help you"
asked Lionel, in low tone.
"You can not" she replied, in an
equally low voice; and the fash died
out of her face, for LionePs tone was
very humble, and his eyes had spoken
sOmethinu tn her that her heart an