Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1869-11-23
The Broken Home.
."rRvru srRANdnR THAN FICTION. I"


go In San Francisco, nthe north side of
Folsom street, overlooking Mission Bay,
stands a palatial residence. 4gIai {f
The interior af this house is even more
beautiful than its exterior, every apart
ment being in its way gem Of magnifi-
cencc and refinement. 1896
The library especial realizes the most
perfect ideal Of an elegant and cultured
home. s te
And yet, at the moment VIC 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. 'atFa ''' p
lie was Mr. Morton Preble, for many
years 4 leading banker of San Francisco.
1t was in vain that the broad bay-win,
dow at the south end of the room had
been opened, giving ingress to the sun
..
shine and the fragrance of rare flowers
in vain that the walls were lined with
richly carved bookcases and painting'-
in vain that sott couches and luxurious
chairs had been gathered around him.
He was wretched.
He lay on sofa, in the depths Of the
great window, the wreck of a once
powerful man. His figure was thin and
.gaunt his face white as marble his eyes
having an expression of Noful apprehen-
sion, of narrowing anxiety, of dreadful
expectancy.
1t was evident at glance that no
merely physical ailment had made him
what he was.
by what withcring secret, by what des-
troyiog affection, had he been thus agon-
lied thus haunted? he so noble and
good he SO wealthy and distinguished
As he moved restlessly upon his luxu-
rious cushions the pretty clock on the
mantle-piecs struck FIVE. every stroke
seeming to fall like hammer upon the
heart of the nervous invalid. lie arous-
ed himself, struggling feebly to sitting
posture.
"Oh, VIII this fatal day never, pass p
he murlnurc | "nor bring us relief?'
Noticing with nervous start hat he
was alone. he touched a bell upon table
before him, and called:
"Helen, Helen! where are you?
Before the echoes of his voice had
died out step vas heard, and his wife
entered his presence.
81 left you only for moment, Morton,
she said, advancing to the bankers side
"Yo GU were doing, think. i wished to
send for the doctor" H'rn''.
She was a beautiful women, OF some
six and thirty years, graceful, with broad
white brows and loving eyes, in which
the brightness and sweetness OF u 'unshlny
nature were still perceptible, under a
grief and anxiety no less poignant than
that evinced by her husband. a
"The doctor 7" he echoed, half-reproch.
fully.
Yes, dear" sic said, ina calm and
cheerful voice, as she drew chair to the
side of the sofa, and sat down, stroklng
the corrugated forehead of the invalid
with a magnetic touch. "He will be
here Immediately. Your last nervous
crisis alarmed me. You may become
seriously i'll r'a L7rm '''a
| Mr.. Preble bestowed all affectionatc
look upon his wife, but said dcspondent-
ly:aaa 'sa .t'.. z
.s,Tbe docter He cannot minister to q
mind diseased 2 Oh, if these fofg hours
would osls pass !dlf only knew what
the day has yet in store for us y ~ l
"Look up, Morton I" cnjoincd Mrs
Preble, with revcrently trustful glance
upwards through the open window at the
blue sky, and as if looking beyond the
azure clouds, therein. "bet us appea
from the injustice and wiekedness ofeartf
to tho goodness and mercy of 'HeavenF
The banker gave low, sobbing sigh
~ cannot look up, Helen" he answer
ed, a passionate trehor in his voice
"only down downat the grave that il
opening before me p
Mrs, Preble continued to stroke his fore
head softly, while she lifted her pale fac'
TO the sunlight streaming into the apart
ment. ml
.Look up, Morton-always look upV
she again enjoined upon the invalid
"During all these fourteenyears of agony
!. / have not once doubted either the good
ness or the justice of Heaven. BLESSED
are they that mourn 4 for they shall b
Ico,nfortcd.' 1 believe We shall yet rejoic
more keenly than we have mourned, an
thatwc shall como to a gctfcus day Q
Joy beyond all this long night Of sorrow
The face of the invalid lighted up wit