The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1877-07-06
MYRA'S MISTAKE.

Gilbert Gorham, at the age of 10, was
eft orphaned and destitute, and was
taken into the tender care of his loving
grandfather, and his Aunt Jane, ven
cradle spinster, whose severity was a
most wholesome restraint upon his grand
fathers extreme indulgence. Old Mr.
Gorham being man of enormous wealth,
his grandson and heir was the most IA
vored of boys and youths, every whim of
bis boyish and youthful fancy being
gratifed 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 sea-
sons, and some five years his senior, his
grandfather only nodded and said:
Suit yourself, my boy; suit your
self"
So magnificent diamond was slipped
ON Myra's finger, and Gilbert entered
iato fools paradise, blind to the fact
that he was the dupe of an accomplished
coquette, whose whole hard nature was
incapable of the 1.-THE of the love laid mt
her feet.
FOR, being sensitive, poetical and
uver-indulged. the boy made unto him.
self an idol, and, calling it Myra, wor-
shipped it.
And the actual Myra, being eminently
gprnctical, worldly and mercenary, erect
ed gold idol of unlimited indulgence,
and, calling that Gilbert, worshiped it.
Mr.. Gorham, although he was old and
feeble, took carriage ana drove from
Fern Nook, the family country seat, into
POolsvllle, the town honored by Miss
1
call.
After he was gone, Miss Wilbur, turn
ing TO her mother, made strange speech
foe maiden just betrothed, for she
said
AFTER all, mamma, a rich widow is
better than rich wife, for she can spend
the money then uncontrolled.
"Well, 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.
1t would be well, then, to keep in
Che old gentleman's favor"
Evidently Myra was of that opinion.
She worked pair of soft quilted slip.
pers for the aged feet, she sent flowers
and little dainty dishes to Fern Nook for
dear Mr.. Gorharn, and she made her.
self Il hundred-fold dearer to her infatu-
ated lover by her delicate attentions to
his relative.
Business connected with the settle
rnent OF q claim of his grandfather's
nc ainst the Government called Gilbert
30 Washington, early in the winter fol-
lowing his betrothal. There was the
usua pathetic parting, and, with assur-
anceNgf Myras undying love, the young
man left Fern Nook.
After two months absence, when he
Was preparing to return home, tele-
gram reached him
Wait in Sew York to see me. viii 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 metropolisl Gilbert
Valnly tried to remember if ever she
bad been absent from home before, and,
thoroughly benildered, hurried to meet
iner.
His first surprise was to find her gen.
, lie and kind, all the grim severity of her
manner cone Her kiss upon his lips
WAS tender as Myra's own.
"My boy" she said, "I have news
Tor you that will distress you, but before
tell that / want you to listen atten-
lively to some business details that were
never of any special interest to you be-
fore. You have always supposed Fern
Nook and the wealth that sustains it to
DE your grandfather's.
- And are they not ?"
''No, my dear, they are mine. Your
grandfather holds life lease only of the
house and half the income The prop
.erfy was al his wife's and left to me,
with the lease, as L said, to my father
daring life. While we were all ore
sfaziily and you the heir, it WAS quite
unnecessary to make any talk or any
fuss about the matter; but now it is as
well to understand my rights and
yours.
"Now?"
Your grandfather, my dear, being, l
scharitably believe, in his dotage. has
7rnalried-Mvra Wilbur 7"
1t was a crushing blow. Gilbert
swayed TO and fro in his chair. and then
fell insensible
His ideal poetic life was more real to
him than the actual world apout him
and he suffered acutely. But his aunt
was the best OF comforters. for. while
she was full of tender sympathy she
was eminently practical, and with clear
fOrcible words she made him realize
fully how unworthy was the idol he had
vworsbiped.
With her own personal property she
had also brought Gilbert's from their
old home, and she took house in New
York, where both soon felt at home. re-
turning no more to Fern Nook Then
with true practical kindness. she per'
'Susded Gilbert to allow her to buy him