The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1869-11-25
THE BROKEN HOME.
..rRUrH STRANGER THAN FsCrEoN.'


In San Francisco, on the north side Of
Folsom street, overlooking Mission Bay,
stands a ralatial residence.
Tke interior OF this house is even more
beautiful than its exterior, every apartment
being IN It's way gem OF nlagniiicence and
refinement.
The library especially realizes the most
perfect ideal of an elegant and cultured
home.
Aud yet at the moment we look in upon
him-one August afternoon, as be occupied
his librafy-the proprietor of all this wealth
appeared of all men the most miserable.
lie was Mr.. Morton Preble, for many
years leading banker Of San Francisco.
1t was in vain that the broad bay window
at the south end of the room had been
opened, giving ingress TO the sunshine and
the fragrance of rare howers-in vain that
the walls were lined with richly carved
book cases and paintings-in vain that
soft couehes and luxurious chairs had
been gathered around him.
He was Wretched.
He lay on sofa, in the depths Of the
great bay-window, the wreck of a once
powerful man. His figure was thin
and guant; his face white as marble
his eyes having an expression of wo-
fal apprehension, of narrowing ankle
ty, of dreadful expectancy.
1t was evident at glance that no
merely physical ailment had made him
what he was.
BY what witheriEg secret, by what
destroying atiiiction, had he been thus
agoniZed9 thus haunted? thus hunted?
lie so noble and good he so wealthy
and distinguished!
As he moved restlessiy upon his lux
urious cushions the pretty clock on the
mantel-piece struck five, every stroke
seeming to fall like a hammer upon
the heart of the nervous invalid. He
aroused himself, struggling feebly to
sitting posture.
"Oh. will this fatal day never, never
pass ?" he murmured; NOR bring us
relief?'
Noticing with a nervous start that he
was alone. he touched bell upon
upon q table before him, and called
"Helen, Helen where are yOu?"
Before the echoes of his voice had
died out step was heard, and his wife
entered MS presence.
II left you only for a moment, Nor
ton" she said, advancing to the bank
SFf > Slues L Ou MEIG uOAiilSs tilliAhs
| wished to send for the dOctor!"
Shewasa beautiful woman ofsCme six
and thirty years, graceful, with broad
white brows, and loving eyes, In which
the brightness and sweetness of a sun
shiny nature were still perceptible, un-
der q grief and anxiety no less poig-
nant than that evinced by her hus-
band.
''The DOCTOR" he echoed, half re-
proachfully.
''Yes, dear" she said, in calm and
cheerful voice, as she drew chair to
the side of the sofa, and sat down, stro-
king the corrugated forehead of the in
valid with a magnetic touch. HE
will be here Immediately. Your last
nervous crisis alarmed me. You may
become seriously illn
Mr.. Preble bestowed an affectiOnate
look upon his wife, but said despond-
emily:
'ufhe doctor He cannot minister
to mind diseasedE Oh, ii these long
hours would only pass If / only
knew what the day has yet in store for
usn'
Look ", Morton!n enjoined Mrs.
Preble with a reVerently trustful glance
upward through the open window at
the blue sky, and as if looking beyond
the azure clouds therein. Let Us ap-
peal from the injustice and wickedness
of earth to the goodness and mercy of
Heaven :"
The banker gave a low, sObbing
sigh.
Il cannot look up, Helen" he ans
wered, with passionate tremor in his
voice-''Only down, down at the grave
that is opening before mel!
Mrs. Preble continued to stroke his
forehead softly, while she lifted her
pale face to the sunlight streaming in
TO the apartment.
Look up, Morton-alwayS look upv
she again enjoined upon the invalid.
During all these fourteen years of ag-
ony, l have not once doubted either
the goodness or the justice Of Heaven.
Blessed are they that mourn for they
shall be comfOrted.' / believe that we
shall yet rejoice more keenly than we
have mourned, and that we shall come
to a glorious day ofjOy beyond all this
long night of sorrow !"
The face of the invalid lighted up
with an answering glow, and he muir
INJURED:
GLORIOUS faith! My wife, sou are
indeed a blessed comforter Perhaps,
after all, you are rightm
A knock resounded on a side-door at
this juncture, and the next moment
DIR. Hutton, the family physician, for
whom Mrs. Preble had sent, entered
the room.
He was an old man, portly in figure,
with white hair and beard, but with a
fresh and ruddy complexion, pair of
shreWd blue eyes, and with an eXuber-
ant boyishness of manner that sat well
upon him. He had kind heart and
clear head. He approached the sofa,
after greeting the husband and wife,
and lifted the thin restless hand of the
invalid, feeling his pulse.
"Quite high fever" he said, after
brief pause. Worrying again, eh,
Mr.. Preble? You are wearing your
self out. Medicine will do you no
good so long as your mind is in its
present condition. ] must give you an
0piate-"
Not now, dOctor,p interpoSed the
banker. II cannot-must not-sleep
to-day / need to be broad awake now.
for | cannot tell at any moment what
the next will bring forth. | am look
ing for the elimination of all my years
of anguish-for the erowning agony of
the whole Perhaps even now All,
what was that ~
He started up wildly, and then, as
the sound that had disturbed him was
not .soested, he sank back again on
his cushions, pallid and panting.
The doctor looked at Mrs. Preble
with an anxious, questioning glance.
sit is the anniversary" she replied
to his unspoken iuqGiFy-"th the ami
versary of our loss.p
"Ah. yes,n said the doctor. ~ re-
memher.Y
s'Yes, it is another of those terrible
davs.n cried the banker, in a hollow