The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-12-02
THE BROKEN HOME.
TRUTH STRANGER THAN
- FIETIONO

- = OANs
In San Francisco, OH the north side
of Folsom street, overlooking Mission
Bay. stands palatial residence.
The interior of this house is even
more beautiful that its exterior, every
apartment being in its way jem of
magaifcence and refinement. s-~'
The library especially realizes the
most perfect ideal IF an elegant and
cultured home.
And yet, at the moment we look in
upon him-one August afternoon, as he
occupied his library-the proprietor Of
all this wealth anneared of all men tho
He was Mr.. Morton Preble, for many
years leading citizen Of San Francis
co.
It was in vain that the broad bay win
dow ut the south end of the room had
been opened, giving ingress to
the sunshine and the fragrance
of rare fowers-in vain that the walls
were lined with richly carved book
cases and paintings-in vain that the
soft couches and luxurious chairs had
been gathered around him.
He was wrecked. '
He lay Oh a sofa, in the depths of
the y great bay window, the
wreck Of a once powerful man. His
figure was thin and gaunt; his face
white as marble; his eyes having an ex-
preston of woeful apprehension. of har.
rowing anxiety, Of dreadful expectan-
cy.
1t was evident at a glance that no
merely physical aiIment had made him
what he was.
BY what whitening secret, by what
destroying affiiction, had he been thus
agonized: thus haunted: he SO noble
and good! lie SO wealthy aud distin-
guished!
AS he moved restlessly upon his lux
urious cushions the pretty clock OH the
mantle piece struck five, every str oke
seeming to fall like = hammer upon the
heart of the nervous invalid. He arous-
ed himself, struggling feebly to u sitting
posture.
"Oh, will this fatal day never, never
pass?" he murmered; NOR bring us re-
liefc'' .s$b..
Noticing with nervous start that he
was alone, he touched the bell on the
table before him, and called:
"II.l&n, IIeieu. Whcic are YOU.
: ,,f hic x-n;oa had
died out a step was heard, and his wife
entered his presence.
"Lleft you only for moment, Nor
ton, . she said, advancing to the bank
er's side. "You were DOING, l think.
wished to send for the doctor!"
She was beautiful women, of some
six and thirty years, graceful, with
broad white brows, and loving eyes, in
which the brightness and sweetness of
a asunshiny nature were still perceptible,
uuder grief and anxiety no less poig-
.nant that that evinced by her hus-
sband.
1.-The doctorv he echoed. half re-
proachfully.
"Yes, DEAR" she said, in calm and
cheerful voice, as she drew a chair to
the side of the sofa, and sat down, strok-
ing the corrugated forehead of the inva-
lid with magnetic touch. "He will
be here Immediately. Your last ner
vous cries alarmed me. You may be Sc
riously ill.,"
Mr.. Prcble bestowed an affectionate
look upon his wife, but said despond-
entity:
"Thc doctor! He can not minister to
mind diseasedn Oh, if these long
hours would only pass! If l only knew
what the day has yet in store for 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 APP
peal from the injustice and wickedness
of earth to the goodness aud mercy Of
Heavenu'
The banker gave low, sobbihg
sigh.
II cannot look, up Helen," he an
swered, with a passionate tremor in his
voice-"only down, down at the grave
that is open before me"'
Mrs. Preble continued to stroke his
forehead softly, while she lifted her
pale face to the sunlight streaming into
the apartment.
Look up, Morton-always look up"
she again enjoined upon the invalid
"During all these fourteen years of ag-
ony, I have not once doubted the good
ness 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 Of joy beyond all this long
night of sorrow !" .a.
The face Of the invalid lighted up with
an answering glow, and he murmer-