The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1877-04-26
Myra WiIbur'S Mistake

Gilbert Gorhsm at the age Of ten,
was left orphaned aud destitute, and
was taken into the tender care of his
loving grandfather, and his Aunt
Jane, a venerable spinster, whose
severity was q most wholesome res-
traint upon his grandfather's extreme
indulgence. Old Mr.. Gorham being
a man OF enormous wealth, his grand
son and heir was the most favored OF
boys and youths, every whim Of boy
ism aud youthful fancy being granted
as soon as expressed.
And so, when Gilbert had attained
the age of twenty-one, and blushing-
Iy announced his undying love for
Miss Myra Wilbur, the belle of many
watering-places and seasons, and
some five years his senior, his grand.
father only nodded and said /:
''Suit yourself, my boy, suit your
self.n
So a 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 the
1.-THE of love laid st her feet.
For, being sensitive, pOetieal and
over INDUCED, the boy made unto
himself an idol, and calling il Myra,
Worshipped it.
And the actual Myra, being emil
nently practical, worldly and mer-
censry, erected a gold Idol Of unIim-
tied indulgence and riches, and call
Ank fITIhn.N
Mr.. Gorhsm, although he was old
and feeble, took carriage and drove
from Fern Nook, the family country
seat, in POolsville, the town hOnOred
by Miss Wilbur's presence, and made
q formal call.
After he was gone, Miss Wilbur,
turning TO her mother, made q strange
speech for a maiden just betrothed,
for she said A:
"After all, mamma, a rich widow
is better than a rich wife, for she can
spend the money then, uneOn-
trolled."
"WelI my dear ?n
Il was only thinking that Gilbert
told me once he was entirely depend.
ent upon his grandfather, having
nothing while the old man lived"
sit would be well then to keep In
the old gentleman's favor"
Evidently Myra was Of that Opin-
ion. She worked q pair OF soft quilt
ed slippers for the aged feet, she sent
flowers and dainty dishes to Fern
Nook for dear Mr.. GOrham she
msde herself q hundred fold dearer to
her infatuated lover by her delicate
attentions to his relative.
Business connected with the settle
ment Of claim of his grandfather's
against the Government called Gil
bert to Washington, early In the win
ter following his betrOthal. There
was the usual pathetic parting, and
with assurance Of Myra's undying
love, the young man left Fern Nook.
After two months absence, when
be was preparing to return home, q
telegram reached him:
"Wait in New York to see me.
Will put up at tie Grand Central.
JANE GORHAM.
or all strange experiences this was
the straugest. His Aunt Jane leave
ing her home to visit the metropolis.
Gilbert Yainly tried to remember IL
ever 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 manner gone. Her kiss upon
his lips was tender as Myra's own.
"My boy" she said, "I have news
for you that will distress you, but be-
fore tell that, want you to listen
attentively to some business details
that were never OF any special inter-
est to you before. You have always |
supposed Fern Nook and the wealth |
that sUstaIns it to be your grand
fathers"
"And are they not ?'
mo, my dear, they are mine.
Your grandfather holds q life lease
only of the house and half the in
come. The property was all his wife's !
and left 10 me, with the lease, as I |
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 fuss about the mat
ter but now, il is as well to under
stand my rights and yours"
snow ?"
"Your grandfather, my dear, being
1 chsritably believe, in his dotsge,
has married -MyrR Wilbur ?"
1t was 3 crushing blow. Gilbert
swayed to and frow in his chair, and !
then fell insensible.
His ideal poetic life was more resl |
to him than the actual world about |
him, and he suffered acutely. |
But his loving aunt was the best of |
oono forFaro for xuhfIo che vsau fnlI ~
tender sympathy, she was eminently |
practical, and with clear, forcible |
words she made him realize fully how |
was the idol he had wor-
shipped.
With her own personal property |
she had also brought Gilbert's from
his old home, and she took house in |
New York, where they both soon felt |
at home, returning no more TO Fern 1
Nook. Then, with true practical /
she persuaded Gilbert to al i
low her to buy him a partnership In a
light business, and reused him from 4
his dreamy, sensitive moods, to ac-
tive, natural life.
He might have become souFed G1d /
hard, but for the love OF this old
mRid, who had never before let him /
read the tenderness of her heart.
But, while he suffered keenly, his
developed, and he was 6
stronger, better man for his disap-
When Myra's name ceased to be .
torture, Aunt Jane made herself
known 10 old friends of her girlhoOd,
and gathered about her q pleasant,
social CIRCLE, where Gilbert was soon
q fsvoEite. There was no hint OF the |
spinster's hope when she said very
quietly:
Amy attention you can pay to
Ella Rayburn, will be very pleasing
to me, Gilbert. Her mother has |
been nv WarInest Friand Fn oout