The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1869-11-27
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THE BROKEN HOME. = II
q TRUTH STRANGER THAN FICTION"

The interior of this house is even more beau
tiful than its exterior, every apartment being
inits way gem of magnifcene and refinement.
The library especially realizes the most per.
feet ideal of an elegant and cultured home.
And yet, at the moment we look upon him
one August afternoon, as he occupied his
Ebrary-the proprietor of all this wealth ap-
peared of all men the most miserable.
He was Mr.. Morton Preble, for many years
a 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 fra
GRANGE of rare fowers--in vain that the walls
were lined with richly carved bookcases and
paintings--in vain that soft couches and lux
urious chairs had been gathered around him.
He was wretched
He lay ON a sofa, in the depths of the great
bay-windOw, the wreck of o once powerful
man. His figure was thin and gsunt; his face
white as marble; his eyes having an express
sion of wotul apprehension, of narrowing anx-
iety, Of dreadful expectancy.
1t was evident at a glance that No merely
physical ailment had made him what he was.
By what whitening secret, by what destroy
ing affection, had he been thus agonized
thus haunted thus hunted he SO noble and
.ood he SO wealthy and distinguished!
As he moved restlessly upon his luxurious
cushions the pretty clock on the mantel.piece
struck five, every stroke seeming to fall like
q hammer upon the heart of the nervous in
valid. He aroused himself, struggling feebly
to sitting posture
ooh. will this fatal day never, never pass 2"
he murmured; "nor bring us reliefw
Noticing with nervous start that he was
alone, he touched bell upon table before
him. and called. laa
"Helen, Helen where are your"
Before the echoes of his voice had died out
q step was heard, and his wife entered his
presence. .dtaa
II left you only for moment, Norton" she
said, advancing to the bankers side. "You
were doing, think. l wished to send for
the doctor p
She was beautiful woman, OF some six and
thirty years, graceful, with broad white brow,
and loving eyes, in which the brightness and
sweetness of a sunshiny nature were still per
ceptible under grief and anxiety no less
poignant than that evinced by her husband.
"The doctor {" he echoed, half reproach-
fully.
ayes, DEAR" she said, in calm and cheer.
full voice, as she drew chair to the side of the
sofa, and sat down, stroking the corrugated
forehead of the invalid with magnetic touch
Gle will be here.mmediately. Your last ner-
vous crises alarmed me. You may become
seriously ill !"
Mr.. Preble bestowed an effectionate look
upon his wife, but said despondently:
"The doctor! He cannot minister to a
mind diseased! Oh, if these long hours
would only pass If only knew what the
day has yet in store tor us !"
'Look up, Morton !" enjoined Mrs Preble,
with reverently trustful glance upward
through the open window at the blue sky, and
as if looking beyond the azure clouds therein.
"Let us appeal from the injustice and wicked
ness of earth to the goodness and mercy of
Heaven!'
The banker gave low, sobbing sigh.
81 cannot look up, Helen" he answered,
with passionate tremor in his volce--"only
down, down at the grave that is opening be-
fore me !"
Mrs. Preble continued to stroke his fore
head softly while she lifted her pale face to |
the sunlight streaming into the apartment.
"Look up, Morton--always look upw she |
again enjoned upon the invalid. During all
these fourteen years of agony, 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
and that we shall come to glorious
day of JOY beyond all this long night of sor-
row
The face of the invalid lighted up with an
answering glow, and he murmured
GLORIOUS faith! My wife, you are indeed a |
blessed comforter Perhaps, after all, you
are rightn
A knock resounded on side-door at this |
juncture, and the next moment DIR. Hutton. |
the family physician, for whom Mrs. Prebe |
had sent. entered the room.
He was an old man, pOrtly in figure, with |
white hair and beard, but with fresh and |
rudy complexion, pair of shrewd blue eyes,
and with an exubcrant boyishness of manner
that sat well upon him. lie had kind heart
and a clear head. lie 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 yourself out Medicine will
do you no good so long us your mind is in its
present condition. | must give YOU an
opiate"
mot now, doctor" intcrposed the banker.
VI cannot must not--slecp TODAY need to
be broad awake now for canno, tell at any
moment what the next may bring forth, Ian,
looking for the elimination of ali nv wears of
angush--tor the browning agony OF the whole,
Perhaps even now--Ah, what was ,latY ?"
lie started up wildly and then, as the SOUND
that had disturbed him was not rcpeat.d Inc
sank back again on his cushions. pallid and |
painting.
III. "A ~oto, l.al.a, NJ. NJ nh