Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1877-04-11
Myra WiIbur's Mistake.

Gilbert GoTham, at the age Of ten
was left orphaned and destitute, anC
was taken into the tender care of hi
loving grandfather, and his Aunt Jane
& venerable spinster, whose severit,
was a most wholesome restraint upor
his grandfather's extreme indulgence
Old Mr.. Gorham being man of enorm
Gus wealth, his grandson and heir wa
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
wears his senior. his grandfather only
nodded and said:
'.Suit yourself, my boy, suit your
self"
So a magnificent diamond was slipped
Oh 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 tithe of the love laid
at her feet.
For, being sensitive, poetical and
over INDUCED, the boy made unto him
self an idol, and calling it Myra, wor-
SHIPPED it.
And the actual Myra, being emil
nentIy practical, worldly and merce-
nary. erected gold idol of unlimited
indulgence and riches, and calling thal
Gilbert, worshiped Ii.
Mr.. Gorham, although he was old
and feeble, took a carriage and drove
from Fern Nook, the family country
seat. In Poolsyille, 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 a 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" "
swell, my dear?"
81 was only thinking that Gilbert
told me once he was entirely depend
ent upon his grandfather, having
nothing while the old man lived"
at would be well then to keep in the
old gentleman's favor"
Evidently Myra was OF that opinion.
She worked a 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 hum
dred fold dearer to her infatuated lover
bv her delicate attentions to his rela-
tive.
Business connected with the settle
ment of claim of his grandfather's
against the Government called Gilbert
TO Washington, early in the winter
following his betrothal. There was the
usual pathetic parting, and with assur
aree of Myra's 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 New York to see me. Will
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 metropolis! Gil
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 it 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 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
fuss about the matter; but now, 1t Is as
we'll to understand my rights and
yours"
"Now?"
"Your grandfather, my dear, being,
charitably believe, in his dotage, has
married-Myra Wilburr'
1t was a crushing blow. Gilbert
swayed 10 and fro in his chair, and then
fell insensible.
His ideal poetic life was more real to
him than the actual world about him,
nd he suffered acutely- But his aunt