The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-01-18
From Peterson's Magazine.
THE RSH LOOK.
BY MARY A. DEssloN.

From Pe,erson's Magazine.
THE HARSH LOOK.
By MARY A. DEssloN.
Maggie. Maggie. how could you, :"
"Why. what have done but loOk at the
child p
II But, Maggie, you looked al her SO harsh.
~"
/" Well. and if | did--is she too good to be
looked atsp
"0h! but. Maggie. she is an orphan"
Maggie Llburn tossed her head lightly, af
frcting disdain at her SISTERS trembling lips.
but, nevertheless. the words and the fearful
glance sunk into her heart.
In ! chamber, richly furnished. two little
beds stood side by side. Both were daintiIy
shaped furnished with soft linen and deli.
fcate netting like lace. Refinement ioated
u the air above them-hnns IN every iD!d Of
sd'apery about them-tauch.d the rare adorn-
'ngs OF the r0sm-iald IN each dimple of the
rounded cheeks--in each careless curl of
hair, threading rs golden way over the pill
low.
There were two ol them-two darling little
girls, one IN eacn soft bed but one was rud.
riy and healthl the other pale and more slight
ly formed. They slept the beautiful sleep
o. infancy, but, beneath the lashes Of one
were ,rare. Of tears, and the inlantile lips
curved downward slightly. as with grief
II was very silent there and. in the silence,
soon step sounded Wary Lilburn, gen
tie. graceful creature, came softly in, and,
pa,,sIng. lo,ked at The children. She kissed
the brow Of the ro.iest slumberer; but over
the other folded her hands, as # with bene-
dicuon, aud gazed with long, yearning
glance.
Poor lltIe darIing!" she murmurpd at
last: now can any one speak harshiy, or
give one cold glance to 80 gentle chlld
Poor little orphan. God bless you - and
she bent oser and kissed her lips, lingering
long on the fair face they pressed, and then
she went 10 her own room.
She had scarely gone before another step
sounded along the chamber ; and Maggie, the
young, hralthful, h.ppy mother, came for
ward. A. She stuod there, a shade uf regret
stole over her beautiful face. and she sighed.
:" suppose | haven't got the patience
ought 10 have with her, poor orphan y but
she kissed neither of the Children.
II was III dead Of night. and Maggie Lii
burn, worshipped wife, happy mother. tossed
rcsilessy upon her lpxuriant couch. She
had not vet slept. little figure, looking
cut u dark ewes, haunted her.
OccaslOuaiy she heard short, quick sob
coming from The dim corner in whicl, were
outlined the beds Of tue two sweet children.
At last the great clock OF the city struck
twelve, and Maggie had ioInd the boon her
nature crascd-she slept. Slept, but not in
prace-not in quiet. iler head turned un-
easily, her hands moved. the lips guivered,
and s,bbing signs and tears atte-;ea trou.
blcd dream.
Still icrpened tie quiet gloom. and larger
grew the shadows IN the chamber. The babes
were maved away footsteps and whispering
voices disturbed the silence. A snnbre man,
dressed in black. bent over the bed shereon
lay Maggie I.ilburn. 4 gentleman, much
Younger. stood further back, giving passion.
ate va, ta some strong grief. lie was half
hidden by the pale blue hanslngs Of the bed.
Mary, pale smarble--her beautiful white face I
is.umtng an awful sternness in its anguish, /
tie result u strife for seli.cumposnrc -knelt. I
cla,ping one hand of the sufferer in her own.
4 ser,ant crouched iu the distance. hiding
her lace, aud weeping 10 silence. On the
bed lay Maggie, the soang vile and mother,
no longer restless, but white. Isint and still.
Her blue eyes wislfall, wandered from lace
10 face aud the lips. 80 beautiful in repose,
we're distorted IN her vain efforts to speak.
AZ last The ewes closed. The lips wrrc still.
She slept lightly, gentls; Il was, alas tie /
sleep that ptpcedes death.
" She will be able TO speak when she a.
aakes, whispered the doctor.
lis wnris We're true. Ihe diving mother
ivUke with renewed strength sudden me.
ieoric brillancy that flashed the premoniiion
ni dissolution.
/" Husband Mary = she said. slowly her
ewes wandered from item and her white lips
!" Ny child! my little Maggie !" 4
Tney brought the little girl, who wrpt be.
cause her muther WAS - pale.
This Is the bitterest cup !" said the dy. /
ing woman. "Oh Mary-oh my husb, and. /
hnw eau 4 leave Magairs Oh this hard
wurld-,his cold, cruel wofld--hUw can |
leave Maggie 70
"She shall be as my own" whispered Ma
~. the tears raining duwu her checks " she
,hall be layeI A. you would love her; cared
Tor as tendcrly. GOODWILL give me strength /
and p,tience." Her voice failed her, she
could only weep.