The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-05-17
miscellaneous.
THE CRUSHED LILLY.
BY MRS. NJ. A. DENISON.

tiful house, with its lavish adornments,
its stately halls, gorgeously fitted apart
ments, its broad solemn mirrors, and
heavy rich oaked furniture, that gave a
sadness to my heart when | CHANGED to
gaze upon it, sending a thrill of aching
anguish tie my inmost being; and that
object was child.
1t may seem strange, but the first time
| beheld this lovely creature, (never be-
fore saw aught so beautiful | shudder-
ed with an undefnable feeling of ter
ror. A something vague, indistinct,
mystical, enthralled me, and while ga
zed upon the little creature like one fas-
cinated, felt it could not be a being of
earth, knew it was not being of heav-
en-.
She was very slight and fairy like,
and her hair absolutely hung about her
delicate little form, shrouding it like a
glittering gossamer mantle, in shower
of golden cleaning curls. Her deep
set, yet large and spiritual eyes were
sometimes appearing deep brown,
sometimes a soft dark blue, sometimes
intensely black. She was dressed with
exquisite taste, and her little robes were
lavshly adorned with various shades of
slken embroidery. Her complexion
was colorless, but dazzling; her express
sion-ah, there was the mystery at
once spiritual and heavenly, and yet
wanting in earthly intelligence. She
was an only child, and heiress to an I'M
menSe fortune.
Percciving my bcwildered and half
averted gaze, the father, man of great
beauty of countenance, and a most
commanding figure, drew the little girl
towards him, and while shadow veil
ed his brow, he said in subdued voice,
this is our Lilly, madam, our dear little
crushed Lilly and he folded her to his
heart, and gazed down yearningly upon
her.
SHE was one of the most frolicksome
Children he continued, bounding from
room to room, hinging her thrilling
bird notes through the corridors, and
laughing in innocent joyousness, only a
year ago.
1T was but a year ago, my Lilly he
murmured plaintively, drawing her clo-
ser to his manly bosom.
One day there was wild storm; a
terrific tempest; and we all sat hushed
and breathless, listening to the rolling
crash of the reverberating thunder,
whose hollow echoes yet sing in my ear.
We sat together; supported my
shrinking wife; little Lilly had flung
herself upon. the floor and buried her face
in my lap. Suddenly the atmosphere
became dark and heavy; even my heart
stern as am grew sick with fear. The
castle rocked, the wind seemed to pour
in sheeted gusts against the windows.
A great flash of red light filled the
apartment; a quick shrek succeeded;
and my beauteous child rolled over from
my lap upon the floor, with distorted
features and extended eyeballs. Oh +!
my God never can forget that mo-
ment, freighted with SO much wo TO me.
Large drops stood in his eyes, and for
myself, was weeping.
My poor delicate wife, who adored
the child, filled the house with her lam
entations; medical aid was at hand. |
would have died for my Lilly;I besought
the Almighty: p-he bowed his head
dared him to summon my idol; | was
wild, | was mad-mad.
Consciousness was restored; but the
mind was stricken; it had folded its
wings when the fire bolt scathed their
brightness, and it has never scared since.
But we love her even more dearly,
and he impressed burning kisses upon
the childs waxed brow, we love her
with more intense devotion; it would
be death to part with her now. God
spare me to strengthen the dropping
plant; my poor crushed Lilly"
stole one glance more at the child
she was asleep. The noble father bore
her in his arms, and laid her upon rich
velvet couch; then, as the threads OF
gold fell in shining bands over the rich
fabric, and mingled with glittering bull.
lion that fringed the dark drapery, he
sighed heavily, and turning, left the
apartment with hurried tread.
Truly crushed Lily whispered I, as
| bent over and touched my lips to the
crimson petal Of her mouth.
Dear little angel, she is in heaven
now, and the broad domains of her father
have fallen into the possession of distant
kindred.
Learning only renders want of com.
mon sense the more CONSPICUOUS.