Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1869-11-25
THE BROKEN HOME.
Truth Stranger Than Fiction"


In San Francisco, on the north side of
Folsom street, overlooking Mission Bay,
stands a palatial residence
The interior Of this house is even more
beautiful than its exterior, every apartment
being in its way gem Of magnificence and
refinement.
The library especially realizes the most
perfect ideal Of 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
appeared of all men the most miserable.
He 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 open
| ed, giving ingress to the sunshine and tho
tho fragrance of rare flowers-in vain that
the walls were lined with richly carved book
cases and paintings-inv vain that soft couches
and luxurious chairs lad been gathered
around him.
| He was wretched.
| He lay on sofa, in the depths of the
i great bay-window, the wreck of once pow
| erful man. His figure was thin and gaunt !;
his face white as marble; his eyes having
an expression of woful apprehension, OF
narrowing anxiety, of dreadful expectancy.
1t was evident at glance that no merely
| physical ailment had made him what he
was.
BY what whitening secret, by what de-
stroying affection, had he been thus ago
nized thus haunted? thus hunted he 81
noble and good he so wealthy and dstin-
| guished
As he moved restlessly upon the luxurious
cushions the pretty clock on the mantel.
piece struck five, every stroke seeming to
fall like hammer upon the heart OF the
nervous invalid. He aroused himself, strug-
Cling feebly to q sitting posture.
"Oh, will this fatal day never, never
pass p he murmured; "nor bring us relief 2
Noticing with nervous start that he was
alone, he touched bell upon table before
him, and called -
:" Helen, Helen where are you n
Before the echoes of his voice had dice
out step was heard, and his wife entered
his presence.
a left you only for a moment, Morton,
she said, advancing to the bankers side
You were doing, think wished I,
send for the doctor''
She was q beautiful woman, of some 81.
and thirty years, graceful, with broad whit
brows, and loving eyes, in which the bright
ness and sweetness OF Il sunshiny naiur
were still perceptible, under grief an
anxiety no less poignant than that evince
by her husband.
The doctor = he echoed, half.reproacl
fully.
!. "1es, DEAR" she said, In calm an
, cheerful voice, as she drew chair to tll
r side Of the sofa, and sat down, stroking til
, corrugated forehead Of the invalid with
magnetic touch. He will be here imm,
diately. Your last nervous crisis alarme
0 me. You may become seriously ill! J"
. Mr.. Preble bestowed an atfcctionate loo
r upon his wife, but said despondently 3
!. g The doctor lie cannot minister to
!, mind diseased Oh, If these long hou
= would only pass! Ii | only knew what Il
+ day has yet in store for us -
It ''Look up, Morton !" enjoined Mrs. Prebl
> with reverently trustful glance upwal
through the open window at the blue SIX
q and as if looking beyond the azure clou
y !, therein Let us appeal from the injusti
" and wickedness of earth to the goodne
ia and mercy of Heaven !"
se The banker gave low, sobbing sigh.
D, 8 cannot look up, Helen" he answere
=, with passionate tremor in his voicc-s'on
"a down, down at the grave that is openi
!. before me !"
" Mrs. Preble continued to stroke his fol
EFF head softly, while she lifted her pale face
ne the sunlight streaming into the apartment
Look up, Morton-always look up
y. she again enjoined upon the invalid. sd
Sc ring all these fourteen years of agony, ha
once doubted either the goodness or
stice of heaven. Blessed are they til
ourn; for they shall be comforted' | |
I've that we shall yet rejoice more keer
an we have mourned, and that we sh
me to glorious day of joy beyond
is long night of sorrow !"
The face of the invalid lighted up with
swering glow, and he murmured:
+" Glorious faith! My wife, you are indie
blessed comforter! Perhaps, after all, y
right"
"a knock resouIded on side-door at 1
pcture, and the next moment DR.. nuttt
family physician, for whom Mrs. Pre-
sent, entered the room.
lie was an old man, portly in figure, W
lite hair and beard, but with fresh a
dy complexion, pair OF shrewd b
$. and with an exuberant boyishness
pner that sat well upon him. He ha,
heart and a clear head. He approach
sofa, after greeting the husband d
and lifted the thin, restless hand Of
lid, feeling his pulse.
Quite high fever he said, aftel
pause. "Worrying again, eli,
pie /? You are wearing yourself out. M
Will do you no good so long as W
is on its present condition. m
you an opiate-'
Not now, DOCTOR, interposed the bal
=" cannot-must not-sleep to-day
to be broad awake now, for l CAM
ny moment what the next may br
am looking for the elimination
y years of anguish-for the crown
y OF the whole. Perhaps even now
was that?"
started up wildly, and then, as
d that had disturbed him was not
ID, he sank back again on his cushio
d and painting
e doctor looked at Mrs. Preble with
ous, questioning glance.
is the anniversary, she replied to
boken inquiry-"th the anniversary of
All. yes, said the doctor II remembt
Yes, it's another of those terrible ia,
Fly CfIuG the banker, in hollow whisper. g
ms down doctor, and | will tell you the VIII
n'' story. can think of nothing else tod
.es- and am almost wild with apprehension
oy, anxiety. Sit down.
his DIR. Hutton drew up his chair and sea
RIM himself, his face expressing the double
a aie licitude OF friend and physician
snr = You knew lis fourteen years ago, i
AZ tor said Mr.. Preble !" We lived t
fed where we do now, in cottage on the
wp, OF this great mansion. There were but ii
ills, of us-Heen and 1, and our tllree-year
Jessie. And it was fourteen years ago
on day that our little Jessie was stolen from
az, ar 81 remember it" said the doctor sol
v;iih "Yet might she not have been lost.
dict Preble She went out TO play in the gart
, be if remember rightly, aud was never
by YOU again. She might have stra