The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1877-08-31
Select Story.
MYRA'S MISTAKE.

the tender care OF his loving grandfather, ,and
his Aunt Jane, venerable spinster, whose
severity was a most wholesome restraint on
his grandfather's extreme indulgence. Old
Mr. Gorham being a man of enormous wealth
his grandson and heir was the most favored
of boys and youths, every whm of his boy
ish and youthful fancy being grati6ed as
soon as expressed.
And so, when Gilbert had attained the age
of 81 and blushingly announced his undying
love for Miss Myra Wilbur, the belle of many
watering places and seasons, and some FIVE
years his senior, his grandfather only nodded
and said:
''Suit yourself, my boy ; suit yourself"
So magnificent diamond was slipped on
Myra's finger, and Gilbert entered into
| fools paradise, blind to the fact that he was
the dupe of an accomplished coquette, whose
whole hard nature was incapable of a 1.-THE
of the love laid at her feet
For, being sensitive, poetical and over.in-
INDUCED, the boy made unto himself an
idol, and, calling it Myra, worshipped it.
And the actual Myra, being eminently
practical, worldly and mercenary, erected a
gold idol of unlimited indulgence, and, call
| ing that Gilbert, worshipped it.
Mr. Gorham although he was old and feeble,
took carriage and drove from Fern Nook,
the family country seat, into Poolsville, the
town honored by Miss Wilbur's presence,
and made formal call.
After he was gone, Miss Wilbur, turning
to her mother, made strange speech for
maiden just betrothed, for she said:
"After all, mamma, rich widow is better
than rich wife, for she can spend money
then uncontrolled"
swell, my dear?"
81 was only thinking that Gilbert told me
once he was entirely dependent upon his
grandfather, having nothing of his own
while the old man lived"
at would be well, then, to keep in the old
gentlemans favor"
Evidently Myra was of that opinion. She
worked pair of soft quilted slippers for the
aged feet, she sent flowers and little dainty
dishes to Fern Nook for dear Mr.. Gorham,
and she made herself hundred fold dearer
to her infatuated lover by her delicate atten-
tions to his relative.
Business connected with the settlement of
claim of his grandfather against the Coy
ernment called Gilbert to Washington, early
in the winter following his betrothal There
was the usua! pathetic parting, and, with as
surance of Myras undying love the young
man left Fern Nook.
After two months absence, when he was
preparing to return home, a telegram reached
him:
"Wait in New York to see me. Will put
up at the Grand Central.
"JANE GoRHAM."
OF all strange experience this was the
strangest. His Aunt Jane leaving her home
to visit the metropolis Gilbert vainly tried
to remember if she had been absent from
home before, and, thoroughly bewildered,
hurried to meet her.
His first surprise was to find her gentle
and kind, all the grim severity of her man.
ner gone, Her kiss upon his lips was tender
as Myras own.
"My boy" she said, 81 have news for you
that will distress you, but before 1 tell that 1
want you to listen attentively to some busi-
ness details that were never of any special
interest to you before. You have always
supposed Fern Nook and the wealth that
! sustains it to be your graudfathers."
"And are they not?'
mo, my. dear, they are mine. Your
| pIf fat thar hnll of he
house and half the income. The property
was all his wife's and left to me, with the
, lease, as l said, to my father during life.
While we were all one family and you the
heir, it was quite unnecessary to make any
talk or any fuss about tine matter; but now
it is as well to understand my rights and
yours"
"Now?"
"Your grandfather, my dear, being, I
charitably believe,in his dotage, has married
-Myra Wilbur"
1t was crushing blow. Gilbert swayed
to and fro in his chair, and then fell insen.
sible.
His ideal poetic life was more real to him
> than the actual world about him, and he SUIT
fexed acutely. But his aunt was the best OF
comforters, for, while she was full of tender
D sympathy, she was eminently practical, and
e with clear, ,forcible words she made him real.
: ize fully how unworthy was the idol he had
worshipped.
With her own personal property she had
n also brought Gilbert's from their old home
J and she took house in New York, where
both soon felt at home, returning no more
5 to Fern Nook. Then, with true practica
+ kindness, she persuaded Gilbert to allow he
= to buy him partnership in light bust
) ness, and rouse him from his dreamy, sensi
tive moods, to active, natural life.
. He might have become soured and hare
but for the love of this old maid, who haC
never before let him read the tenderness o
her heart. But while he suffered keenly hi
manhood developed, and he was stronger
better man for his disappointment
When Myra's name ceased to be tortur
Aunt Jane made herself known to old friend
I. of her grlhood, and gathered about her
4 pleasant social circle, whero Gilbert Wa
:. soon favorte. There was no hint OF tn
l. spinster's hope when she said quietly, "An,
% attention you can pay to Ella Rayburn will
t. be very pleasing to me, Gilbert. Her moth
= er has been my warmest friend in past year
u and We have renewed the old times mos
y pleasantly. If Ella is like her mother sh
a. is a pure, sweet unselish woman"
81 And Ella was like her mother, and wa
9. soon taken into Aunt James close init
IN macy.
An | 90,
ur Still bmarting under the past pain Gilbel
C was merely attentive to his aunt's youn
X, * friend, and not yet realizing that realit
% filling his old ideal was near him.