Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1877-10-04
MYRA WILBUR'S MISTAKE.

Ullpeft OOfman, 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,
% venerable spinster, whose severity was
u most wholesome restraint upon his
grandfather's extreme indulgence. Old
Mr.. German being a man Of enormous
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 expl essed.
And SO, when Gilbert had attained
the age of twenty-ore, and bluohingly
announced his undying owe for Miss
Myra Wil0bl, ,he belle o. many wafer
ing places and seasons, and some five
years lis senior, his grandfather only
nodded and said,-
Sut yourself, my boy, sl.it youa self. "
So a magnificent diamond was slipped
on Myras finger, and Gilbert entered
into fools paradise, blind to the fact
that he was the dupe OF an accomplish
ed coquette, whose whole hard nature
was incapable of the 1.-THE of the love
laid at her feet For, being sensitive,
the boy made unto himself an idol and
calling t My.a, wolshipped it. And the
actual Myra, being eminently practical,
worldly and melcenary, erected a gold
idol Of unlimited indulgence and riches,
and calling that Gilbert, wolskiped it.
Mr.. German, although he was old and
feeble took a carriage and drove from
Fern Nook, the family country seat.
into Poolsville, the town honored by
Miss Wilber's presence, and made fo1-
NAL call. After he was gone, Miss Wi
Der, turned to her mother, made Il
strange speech for maiden just be-
trothed, for she said
After all, mamma rich widow is
better than rich wife, for she can
spend the money then, uncontrolled.
Well, my dear?"
was only thinking that Gilbert told
me Re was entirely dependent on his
grandfather, having nothing of his own
while the old man we'd.
1t would be well 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 lille dainty dishes to Fern
Nook for dear Mr.. Gorham; she made
herself Il hundred fold dearer to her in
fatuated lover by her delicate attentions
TO his relative.
Business connected with the settle
ment of claim of his grandfath hers
against the government called Gilbert
to Washington, early in the winter fol
lowing his berothal. L. ere was the
usual pathetic parting and with the as
surance of Myra's undying love the
young man left Fern Nook After
two months absence, when he was pre-,
pairing to return home, telegram
reached him:
Wait in New York to see me. Will
put up at the Grand Central.
JANE GoRHAM.
Of all strange experiences this was the
strangest His Aunt Jane leaving her
home TO visit tina metropolis! Gilbert
yainly tried to remember if ever she
had been absent from home before, and
thoroughly bewildered FASTENED to meet
her
His first surprise is to find her gentle
and kind, all the grim severity of hel
manner gone. Her kiss upon his lips
were tender as Myra's own.
My boy, she said, Il have news fol
you thai W / distress you, but before |
tell that, | want you to listen to some
business details that we've never of any
special interest to you before. You
have always supposed Fern Nook and
the wealth that sustains it to be youl
granpfather's
Are they not ,"
/" No, my dear, they are mine. Your
grandfather holds life lease only ofthe
house and half the income. The prop
erty was all his wife'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, it was quite
unnecessary to make any talk or fuss
about the matter; but now, it is as vel
TO understand my rights and yours.
Now"
"Your grandfather, my dear, being, ]
charitably believe, in his dotage, has
married-Myra Wilbur"
1t was crushing blow. Gilbert
swayed to and fro in his chair, and then
fell insensible His ideal poetic life wa,
more real to him than the actual WORLD
about him, and he suffered acutely
But his aunt was the best of comforters
for, while she was full of tender sym
pathy, she was emmently practical
and with clear, forcible words, She made
him fully realize how unworthy was the
object he had worshiped.
With her own personal property she
had also brought Gilbert's from theil
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
suaded Gilbert to allow her to buy him
light partnership in light business,
and reused him from his dreamy, sen
sitive moods, to active, natural life.
He might have become soured and
hard, but for the love of this old maid
who had never before let him read the
tenderness of her heart. But, while
he suffered keenly, his manhood devel
oped, and he was a stronger, better man
for his disappointment.
When Myra's name ceased to be a
torture, Aunt Jane made herself known
to old friends of her girlhood, and gath,
cred about her pleasant. sociable cir
Gle, where Gilbert was soon a favorite
There was no hint of the spinster's hope
when she said very quietly