Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1876-08-30
Tercsa--.An italian story.

Light, heat, beauty, life-gving south The
artist seeks it for its glorious depths OF color
the poet for its classic traditions and dreamy
influences the invalid for its balmy breath
and rcviyiug warmth, which stir the pulses
that In northern lands would cease to beat
Lionel Merton, half poet, half artist aud half
invalid, sought it for life both Of mind and
body and his delicate frame-shattered 10y
the chill blasts of the north-woke % a new
being in the soft Ausouian climate, whilst
his artist eye glanced with pleased delight
over luxuriant plains aud olive planted
slopes, with here and there glimpse Of the
yellow Tiber flowing majestically along.
lie was Just now standing in the doorway
Of the inn, gazing, not at the landscape or
the Skies but at face. that had attracted
his attention more than once since his ar
rival at ---. lie had seen it first in the
beautiful gardens OF the villa, not far from
the inn, peering through the parted branches
of a myrtle, whose dark, glossy leaves seemed
to form a fitting framework for the living
picture behind them But the branches had
closed hastily, as the girl met the blue eyes
Of Lionel fixed steadiastly upon her.
1--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. loos-
euing some Of the coils that fell down below
her waist. 4 flush came over the pale
olive skin.
"rhou 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 for moment, and yet they seem to
have told him long story that he had been
in the past trying to decipher.
Next he had seen her in the church, kneel-
ing in fervent prayer, and had silently
watched the changes of countenance until
again she perceived him, and with startled
look rose and fled away.
To-day Teresa stood leaning against a
stone pillar, playing with the pink blossom
of catalpa that stood near her, when sud
denly she found herself once more face to
face with the English stranger.
lie had discovered her name-Teresa
daugher Of blind 1omaso Cecchi and his
hed-riddcn wife. She was a good daughter
and worked hard 10 support her parents
To-day she seemed TO be taking life easily
drinking in the splendor of the purple msts
and golden sheets of sunlight with true
Italian incidence
Boice far nieuis 2" thought Lionel, as he
looked at the statue-like figure. and the
head thrown back, partly with weariness
partly with an intense appreciation OF the
beauty around her.
But Teresas rest was not to be of long
duration. The MercanH 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 hin
/ it seemed a sacrilege that the beautiful
maiden should toll aud slave with the com
mon multitude. But what could he do AnC
in the midst Of his meditations the gir
raised her face, and again their eyes met.
Teresa the name burst involuntaril.
from his lips
She started and blushed, but this tim
did not flee away. She looked up at Lionel
81. signore," she answered.
d" That is a pretty flower" said Lionel
will you give it to me p
She made no reply, but put the blossom
into his hand. And so the acquaintanc
was made, and the two chatted away in tn
sunshine.
CHAPTER H.
Lionel had gone to Tonaso Cecchi'
lodging
"But your daughter is not strong enough
for that work I" said he in conclusion to
long harangue.
The old man shrugged his shoulders
q" Poverty" said he, "is hard master an,
Teresa is a good girl"
TOO good to endanger her life in tn
tolls Of the Campagna. Think Of the risk
the labor, the heat, the foul evening mists 7
But Tomaso looked back beyond the dis
comforts and remembered time when til
plains resounded with songs and laughter
aud the wine was hruached and hearts wer
light.
/" found my wife there" said he, an
Teresa may find husband.
Lionel instinctively drew back. 4 hu'
band among those laborng peasants in
possible for in his eyes Teresa was worth
to be the bride Of a king.
"C Can you not find a substitute for you
daughter i" and then he hesitated, fo
Teresa had come into the room.
" How much will it cost to get a substitute
Teresa 2"
Teresa laughed. "Giyanetta would pa
if she could 90 in my place" said she.
There are too many ready and willin
to go"
Let them go then :" responded Lione
eagerly
"The signore forgets We must ha'
money" returned Teresa.
Scarcely thinking of what he was doinl
, Lionel had poured the contents of pur,
full of English gold upon the table II
| quick ear of Tomaso caught the sound; !
stretched out his hand as if TO clutch Il
/ ringing coin, but Teresa sprang betwee
turning flashing face upon Lionel,
I'VE are not beggars ~ she exclaimed
81 work for my bread 90
"Will you not let me help you ?" askt
Lionel, in a low tone.
"You cannot" she replied, in an equal
low voice, and the flash died out of H.
face, for Lionels tone was very humble, al
2 his eyes had spoken something to her tn
: her heart answered. She gathered Il
. money together and put it into his hands
= " IL must not be- said she, as he sorro
) fully departed.
F. "Thou art fool, child" :" said Toma
A Cecchi, when Lionel was out Of hearin
' "These English know not what to do wi
! their gold, and we should have been all Il
/ better for it,"
. CHATTER III.
" Slowly plodded the large, gray oxen ov
the plains of the Campagna lazily saunter
tle drivers AT lncll SIDE. lltle ana lneIt o
; heard the sounds of merriment there aga
! were silent toilers here wornout Lahore
D who had crept into the shade and fall
asleep, and above stretched the blue HEAVIER
> still and cloudless, over the gray and purf
Z sweeps of far-of landscape, with here al
there patch of sun gilt water,
; All this Lionel saw, for he had obtain
= lodging in one OF the large stone farl
u houses since money will obtain anythin
9 and the fair delicate-ooking, generous En-
lishman was popular among the poor itali
. peasants.
Y Teresa knew that he was there, but 5
G avoided him; and he, seeing this, on
watched her from distance, and gave
i token that she was more to him than a
other laborer on the vast plains, lie h
seen Tomaso aud his wife before he had f
lowed TO the Campagna, and they we
4 amply provided for during their daughte
absence.
: Lionel Merton had fallen in love, and
sat down and took the matter into delib'
!, crate consideration. His first thought "
. that Teresa was queen fit TO be the wi
|, of any man, was his second whynot of hi
|, self 2 was the third and that she should
. If possible, was the fourth. Yet how
a proceed was the diiiicultyi he felt, with
= the keen senstiveness Of an Englshman
> absurd situations, that he was somewhat a