The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1877-04-05
MYra WiIbur'S Mistake.

Gilbert Gorham, at the age of ten,
was left orphaned and destitute, and
was taken into the tender care of his
loving grandfather, and his Aunt Jane,
a venerable 5pinster, whose severity
was most wholesome restraint upon
his grandfather's extreme indulgence.
Old Mr.. Gorham being a man of enorm-
Gus wealth, his grandson and heir was
the most favored of boys and youths,
every whim of boyish and youthful
fancy being granted as soon as ex-
pressed.
And so, when Gilbert had attained
the age of twenty-one, and blushingly
announced his undying love for Miss
Myra Wilbur, the belle of many water
ing-places and seasons, 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
into a 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
at her feet.
For, being sensitive, poetlcal and
over INDUCED, the boy made unto him
self an idol, and calling it Myra, wor-
SHIPPED 1t.
And the actual Myra, being emil
nently practical, worldly and merce-
nary, erected a gold idol Of unlimited
indulgence and riches, and calling that
Gilbert, worshiped it.
Mr.. Gorham, although he was old
and feeble, took a carriage and drove
from Fern Nook, the family country
seat, in Poolsville, the town hOnored by
Miss Wilbur's presence, and made a
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 a rich wife, for she can
spend the money then, uncontrolled" +"
"Well, my dear?'
az was only thinking that Gilbert
told me once he was entirely depend
ent upon his grandfather, having
nothing while the old man lived"
"It would be we'll then to keep In the
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 dainty dishes to Fern Nook for dear
Mr.. Gorham; she made herself hun
dred fold dearer to her infatuated lover
by her delicate attentions to his rela-
tive.
Business connected with the settle
ment of claim Of his grandlather's
against the Government called Gilbert
to Washington, early in the winter
following his betrothal. There was the
usual pathetic parting, and with assur
ance of Myra's undying love, the young
man left Fern Nook.
After two months absence, when he
was preparing to return home, n tele-
gram reached him.
"Wait in New York to see me. VIII
put up at the Grand Central.
JANE GoRHAN."
OF all strange experiences this was
the strangest. His Aunt Jane leaving
her home to visit the metropolisl Gill
bert vainly tried to remember If 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, 81 have news for
you that will distress you, but before l
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 1t to
be 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
property was all his wlfe's and left to
me, with the lease, as said, to my
father during life. While we were all
one family and you the heir, 1t was