The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1876-07-08
TERESA.


Light. heat, beauty, life giving south /.
The artist seeks it for its glorious depths OF
color; the poet for its classic traditions and
dreamy Influences the invalid for its bamy
breath and reviving warmth, which stir the
pulses that in northern lands would cease
to beat. Lionel Merton, half poet, half ar
tist' and half invalid, sought 1t for life DO h
of mind and body; and his delicate frame
shattered by the chill blasts of the north
woke to new being in the soft Ausonan
climate, whilst his artist eye glanced with a
pleased delight over luxuriant plains and
s G Of e s Faox Yb FfE ew ad thefe
tically along.
He was Just now standing in the doorway
of the inn, gazing, not at the landscape or
the skies, but at a face that had attracted
his attention more than once since his arri-
val at. He had seen it first in the beau
tiful 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 branch
es had closed hastily, as the girl met the
blue eyes of Lionel fixed steadfastly upon
her.
1--WE must 90 home, Tina," said she 10
the child, who was watching the doves
wash themselves in the basin of the foun-
tain, 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 bad child, Tina :" she said,
as she hastily twisted up the long tresses
under the folds of her white head gear
The large lustrous eyes had but looked
at Lionel Tor moment, and yet they seem
TO have told him long story that he had
been in the past trying 10 decipher.
Next he had seen her in the church,
kneeling IN tervent prayer, and had silent
ly watched the changes of countenance I'M
til again she perceived him, and with a
startled look rose and fled away.
To-day Teresa stood leaning against a 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 bad discovered her name-Teresa !;
daughter of blind Tomaso Cecchi and his
bed-Iidden wife. She was good daugh-
ter and worked hard to support her parents.
To-day she seemed to be taking life easily
drinking in the splendor Of the purple
mists and golden sheets OF sunlight with
true Italian Incidence.
"DoIce fur niente ~ thought Lionel, as
he looked at the statute-lke figure, ard the
head thrown back, partly with WEAKNESS,
partly with an intense appreciation of the
beauty around her.
But Teresas rest was not TO be Of long
duration. The Me1cani of the Campagna
had sent for laborers to gather in the har-
vest, and men and women were forming
into bands to join in the work. Teresa
was going, so gossip had told Lionel, and
to him it seemed n sacrilege that the beau
.tiful maiden should toll and slave with the
do? Ard in the midst of bis meditations the
girl raised her face, and again their eyes
met.
Theresa |" The name burst involuntarily
from his lips.
She started and blushed, but this time
did not fee away. She looked up at Lilo
mel.
Isl, sipnore," she answered.
"That 10 pretty flower" said Lionel !;
twill you give it to me p
She made no reply, bur put the blossom
into his hand. And so the acquaintance
was made and the two chatted away in the
sunshine.
Lionel had gone to Tamaso Cecchi's lodg-
ing.
"But your daughter is not strong enough
for such work - said he in conclusion to a
long harangue.
The old man shrugged his shoulders,
Poverty" said he, 'is a hard master and
Teresa is a good girl"
"Too good to endanger her life in the
tolls of the Campagna. Think of the risk,
the labor, the heat, the foul evening mists.'
But Tomaso looked back beyond the dis
comforts and remembered time when the
plains resounded with songs and laughter,
and the wine was preached and hearts were
light. :,
II found my wife there" SAID he, "and
Teresa may find a hushand."
Lionel instinclively drew back. A nus
band among those laboring peasants inn
possible for in his eyes Teresa was wor-
thy to be the bride of king.
Scan you not find substitute for your
daughter I-"and then he hesitated, for
Teresa had come into the room.
Show much will II cost to get subst-
tute, Teresaf"
Teresa laughed. "Givanetta would pay
if she could go in my place. said she.
"There are too many ready and willing
to co."