The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1869-11-23
The Broken Home
"TRUTH STRANGER THAN fN'
TI0N."

THO inferior of this house Is even more
hoanliful than its exterior, every apartment,
Ming in its way gem OF magniheence ana
refinement ,.Lo ,oe,
The library especially realizes the most
,orfact ;dea of an elegant and cultured
home ,.;, ,nor
h;rn-o3e August afternoon, as he occupied
his lbrary--the proprietor OF all 'n's Wop hIa
appeared of all men the most nii'e,a",v
Ia was Mr. Morton Preble, for many
loading banker of San Franciso
'op.o IN vain that the broad bay window
La aor,b end OF the room had been open
ed giving ingress 10 the sunshine ana ue
F.a,ronce of rare howers--n vain that the
walls were lined with richly carved book'
cases and psintings-in vain that sou
oouches and Injurious chairs had been gain
cred around him.
He was wretched.
He lay on sofa, in the depths " 'ne
great bay.window, the wreck OF c,,ce pow,
erfpl man. His figure was thin -hd gaun''
his face white as marble; his fje haVleg nh
EXPRESSION of woful apprehension, oil mar
rowing anxiety, Of dresdfh expectancy
Il was evident at a gance that no mere
" ohysical ailment heA made him Wha' he
was. l.. A.
Rv what witherag secret, by what de
s,royinp aGlict;a4 had he been thus agonized!
tins haunted thus hunted? he so noble
and good sic SO wealthy and distinguished.
As he moved restlessly upon his lu1ur,,
ious cushions the pretty clock on the manee y
niece struck five, every stroke seemingto iali
like hammer upon the heart OF the het''
Gus invalid. He aroused himself struggling
feebly to a sitting postare' .on
ooh. will this fatal day never, never pass
he murmured "nor bring US rellet!
Noticing with q nervous start that ne was
alone, he touched bell upon table before
him, and called:
"Helen, Helen! where are you2 ..
Before the echoes Of his voice had dieG
ont step was heard, and his wife entered
his presence ,,,
ii left you only for moment, Morton,
sho said advancing to the BANKER slue
"You were doing, | think. "isheu Vt
send for the Doctor -,
She wns a beaut,tul ~anA~", oil soiho d
and thirty vears. graceful, with broad whit
brows, and loving eyes, in which the bright
ross and sweetness of a sunshiny natur
were still perceptibie, under a grief ana anN
iatv no less poignaut than that evinced by
her husband.
"The doctor" he echoed, halfreProach
fully.
"Yes. DEAR she said, in calm and
cheerful voice. as she drew chair to ms
eide Of the sofa. and sat down, stroking The
corrugated forehead Of the invalid with
magnetic touch. "He will be here lmmedI
,oruoua .cr,Ela alarmed me
You may become seriously ILL.,
Mr.. Preble bestowed an stiecuonate !ooI
upon his wife, but said dcspondenty
"The DOCTOR He cannot minister TO
mind diseased! Oh, If these long hours woul
only pass If only kneS what the day ma
yet in store for us.' 3,
"Look up Norton" snjoined Mrs. Prebe
with revernty nustful glance upwar
through the open winlow at the blue sEi
and IA If looking beyond the azure cIono
therein. "Let us appeal from the inJNsN
and wickedness of earth to the goodness al
mercy of Heaven
The banker gave a low, sobbing sigh.
9" II cannot look up, Helen" he answere
with passionate tremor in his voic-"on
down, down at the grave that is opening b
fore me-
Mrs. Prebel continued to stroke his for
head softly, while she lifted her pale face
the sunlight streaming into the apartment
"Look up, Morton-slways look up
she again enjoined upon the invalid. "Du
ing all these fourteen years of agony,
have not once doubted either the goodne
or the Justice Of Heaven BLESSED are thu
that mourn; for they shall be eomtorted.
believe that we shall vet rejoice more keen
than we have mourned, and that we sht
come to glorious day Of JOY beyond I
this long night of sorrow y
The face of the invalid lighted up WI
an answering glow, and he murmured:
GLORIOUS faith My wife, you are
deed blessed comforter Perhaps, aft
al, YOU ore right "
A knock resouuded on d side door at Il
iuncture, and the next moment Dr. Huttc
the family physician, for whom Mr., Pt~'
had sent, entered the room.
lie was on old man, portIy in figure,
white hair and beard, but with fresh
rudy complexion, q pair of shrewd b
eyes and with an exuberAnt boy1shnesf
manner that sat well upon him. lie ha'
kind heart and clear head. He approa'
cd the sofa, after greeting husband a
wife, and lifted the thin restless hand Of
invalid, feeling his pulse.
"Quite q high fever" he said ate,
brief pause. Worrying again, en-.
Preble? You are wearing yourself
Medicine will do you no good 60 long
your mind is IN it's present condition.
must give you an oplate-'
"Not now, doctor interposed the ban
~ cannot-must not-sleep to day !
need to be broad awake now, for | cal
tell at any moment what the next
bring forth am looking for the culm
ton Of all my years of anguish--for
GROWING agony Of the whole. Peri
even now All, what was that -
He started up wildly, and then, as
sound that had disturbed him was not
peated, he sank back again upon his C
ions, pallid and painting.
The doctor looked at Mrs. Preble Nltl
anxious, questioning glance.
at is the anniversary" she replied &c
uuspokeu inquiry-"the anniversary OF
loss
"Ah, yes said the doctor. II rem
Der"
eyes, it's another of those terrible da
cried the banker. in hollow whisper.
down, doctor, and will tell you the W
story. | can think Of nothing else to
and am almost wild with apprehension
anxiety. Sit down
DR.. Hutton drew up chair and Sc
himself his face expressing the double
lcitude of a friend and physician.
"You knew US fourteen years ago,
tor said Mr.. Preble. 1--WE lived
where we do now, in cottage on the 81
this great mansion. There were but
three of us-Heen and /, and our Il