The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1869-11-25
The Broken Home.
"rRUzH STRANGER THAN F7c17oN.'

: 1VlSO" 0uCCtS VvClAOOAAAH ASAAooAOA 10
stands a palatial residence.
The interior of this house 10 even MOI
beautiful than its exterior, every apartmer
being in its way q gem of magnihcence an
refinement.
The library especially realizes the mos
perfect ideal of an elegant and cultured hom'
And yet, at the moment we look in upo
him-one August afternoon. as he occupie
his library-the proprietor of all this wealt
appeared of all men the most miserable.
He was Mr.. Morton Preble, for man
years leading banker of San Francisco.
1t was in vain that the broad bay windo'
at the south end of the room had bee
opened, giving mgress to the sunshine an
the fragrance of rare fowers-in vain tina
the walls were lined with richly carved book
cases and paintings-in vain that sol
couches and luxurious chairs had been gath
cred around him.
| He was wretched.
He lay on a sofa, in the depths of tht
great bay-window, the wreck of a once power
full man. His figure was thin and gaunt
his face white as marble his eyes having al
express ion of woful apprehension, of har
rowing anxiety. of dreadful expectancy.
1t was evident at a glance that no mere y
physical ailment had made him what he was
By what whitening secret, by what destroy
ing affection, had he been thus agonized
thus haunted he so noble and good he
so wealthy and distinguished
As he moved restlessly on his 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 sitting posture.
"Oh, will this fatal day never. never pass:"
L "a L Il.
Noticing with a nervous start that he was
alone, he touched bell upon table before
him. and called:
Helen, Helen where are you :"
Before the echoes of his voice had died
out a step was heard, and his wife entered
his presence.
Il left you only for a moment, Norton,
she said, advancing to the bankers side.
You we're doing. l think. l wished to
send for the doctor !"
She was beautiful woman, of some six
and thirty years, graceful, with broad white
brows, and loving eyes. in which the bright
ness and sweetness of a sunshiny nature
were still perceptible, under a grief and
anxiety no less poignant than that evinced
by her husband.
1.-The doctor ~ he echoed, halEreproach-
fully.
Eyes, DEAR" she said, in calm and
cheerful voice, as size drew chair to
the side of the sofa, and sat down,
stroking the corrugated forehead of the in
valid with 3 magnetic touch. "He will be
here Immediately. Your last nervous crisis
alarmed me. You may become seriously
ill 7"
Mr.. Preble bestowed an affectionate 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 1 only knew what
the day has yet in store for u.s."
Look up, Morton y enjoined Mrs. Pre-
BILE, with a reverently trustful glance upward
through the open window at the blue sky, 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.
II cannot look up, Helen" he answered,
with a passionate" only down, down at
the grave that is opening before 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 up" she
again enjoined upon the invalid. During
all these fourteen years of agony, have not
,nce doubted either the goodness or the jus
lice of Heaven. Blessed are they that
for they shall be comforted.' I
believe that We shall yet rejoice more
keenly than we have mourned. and that we
shall yet come to a glorious day of JOY
beyond all this long night of sorrow :"
The face of the invalid lighted up with
IN answering glow, and he murmured
"Glorious faith My wife, you are indeed
, blessed comforter Perhaps, after all, you
ire right ~
A knock resounded on a side-door at this
uncture, and the next moment DR.. Hutton,
he family physician, for whom Mrs. Pre-
BILE 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 exuberant bOyishness OF
manner that sat well upon him. He had a
lind heart and a clear head. He approached |
he 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 as
four mind is in its present condition.
must give you an opiate-"
Mot now, doctor" interposed the banker.
Il cannot-must not-sleep to-day need
20 be broad awake now, for cannot tell at
my moment what the next may bring forth.
am looking for the elimination of all my
Tears of anguish-for the crowning agony Of
he whole. Perhaps even now All, what
vas that?"
He started up wildly, and then, as the
;ound that had disturbed him was not re-
,eated, he sank back again on his cushions,
,allid and painting.
The Doctor looked at Mrs. Preble with an |
Inxious, questioning glance.
"It is the anniversary" she replied to his
oss."
"Ah, yes" said the Doctor. 81 remem-
'er."
Eyes, it's another of those terrible days."
ID ~. lo-L.. =. L. -h:.o.. CO.