Smyrna times., 1859-12-29
From Peierso'.'s Mogazine.l
THE HARSH LOOK.
By MARY A. DENIsoS.

.Maggie, Maggie, how could youi''
NWhy i--what have done but look at the
child?"
"But, Maggie, you looked a, her SO harsh
lyr'
Well, aud if Idid--is she too good to be
looked ati
Oh! but Maggie, she is an orphan"
Maggie Lilburn tossed her head lightly, af-
fecting disdau at her sisters trembling lips
but. nevertheless, the words and fearful glance
sunk into her heart.
In chamber, richly furnished, two little
beds sIood side by side. Both were daintily
haped--furnished with soft linen and delicate
netting-like lace. Refinement floated in the
air aboye thenl--hung in every fold of drapery
about them-touched the rare adornings of the
rooin--laid in each dimpe OF the rounded
cheeks--n each careless curl of hair, threading
its golden way over the pillow.
There were two of them--two darling little
girls, one in each soft bed; but one was ruddy
and healthy, the other pale and more slightly
formed. They slept the beautiful sleep of in-
fancy; but, beneath the lashes of one were
traces of tears, and The infantile lips curved
downward slightly, as with grief.
Ii was very silent there and In The silence
soon step sounded Mary Lilbllrn, gentle,
graceful creature, came softly in, and, pausing,
looked al the children. She kissed the brow Of
the rosiest slumberer but over tlle other fold
ed her hands, as if w.lh benediction, and ga
zed with a long, yearring glance.
Poor little darlngl" she niurmured, at
last; " how can any one SPEAK harshly, or give
Que cold glance to SO gentle child Poor lit
tie orphan! God bless your and she bent
Overland kissed her lips, lingering long on the
fair face they pressed, and then she went 10 her
own room.
She had scarcely gone before another step
sounded along The chamber, and Maggie, The
young, heallhtul, happy mother, cnme forward.
As she stood there, a shade of regret stole over
her beautiful face. and she sighed,aI suppose
haven't the patience ought to have with her,
poor orphan!'' but she kissed neither of tho
children.
Il was the dead Of night, and Maggie Lii
burn, worshipped wife, happy mother. tossed
Frestlessly upon her luxuriant couch. She had
not yet slept. A little figure, looking mourn
! fully out of dark eyes, haunted her. Occasion
1 ally she heard Short quick sob coming from
the dim corner in which were outlined the beds
Of the two sweet children. AT lassthe great
clock Of the city struck twelve, and Maggie
had found the boon her nature craycd--she
slept. Slept, bat not in peace--not in quiet
Her head turned unessiIy, her hands moved,
atsested sroubled dream.
Still deepened the quiet gloom, and larger
grew the shadows ia the chamber The babes
were moved away, footsteps and whispering
voices distorbed the silence. sombre man,
dressed 10 black, bent over the bed whereon lay
Maggie Lilburn. gentleman, much young
( CIR, stood further back, giving passionate way
TO sorae strong grief. lie was hulf hidden by
the pale blue hangings Of The bed. Mary. pale
as uarbie--her beautiful white face an awful
sterness in its anguish: the result of strife fol
self cornposure- kDet. clasping pne hand o.
: the sufferer in her own. a servant crouched
in the distance, hidng her face, aud weeping il
silence. On the bed lay Maggie, the young
j alte and .nosher, no longer restless, but white
(. flint, and still. Her blue eyes wstfally wan
dering from face 10 face; and the lips, 80 beau
lifu i'd repose. were distorted in her vain efforts
4 to speak. At last the eyes closed. the lip,
we're still. She slept lightly, gently il was
alas the sleep that precedes death.
J s'shs will be able to speak when she xwakes,
, | whispered the doctor.
/ Hls words were true. The dying molhe
Iawoke with renewed strength--a sudden mete
oric briIIancy THAI flashed the 7remouItlon 0
! dissolution.
!. tlpsbandl Mary = she said, slowly; he
/, eyes wandered from them and her white lip
!. nlurmesed, ]" My childi my little Magge!"
O.. They brought the little girl, who wept be
> cause her mother was so pale.
d {" This is the bilteress cup" said the dyin
woman. :" Oh Mary--oh my husband no,
4 can leave Maggie9 Ohl this hard world
: this cpld, cruel wofld--how can leave Mag
q gieF'
a. /" She shall be as my own," whispered Mar,
= the lesIrs raining down her cheeks y she sha
g be IosIed as you would love her t:ared for
= Gqnderly. God will give ne slrefglh and p
Il giencew Her voice failed her, she could oa
Z iweep.
aei Quietly lay the motber--her life ebbing OF
Ia troubled expression gathering, ard decpe
ing uI,on her face. Again she cssayed
r e,eak. She luFnsd her dlsn eyes toward her 81
ttr her lips were quiverinI!; 'he last tea
drained from the founs of life, as oie said vi
III d touiIhing manner Of sef-rsbuke, aod go 50
%. elnnly
n (" NJ lry, you won't look harshly a. my po
e e ofphali9
y . Gid helping ME. never |" cried Mary. II
. voice seemed 10 ring with supernatural dislin'
= mass through lhe chamber.
The dying woman struggled tesrfu3ly, a
uL- -+---a,sokei
he Hpringing up ia bed, she claspad her har
q tprekhef 10 IN ccstacy ofjoy. The gray ds'
: crcps through the Shutters psIing the iighs
- tlse din lamp.
~ !. Lyiag / living r che csied. my child