The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1878-06-12
yyra 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 grand
father, and his Aunt Jane, venerable
spinster, whose severity was most whole
some restraint upon his grandfather's ex-
treme indulgence. old Mr.. Gorham being
man of enormous wealth, his grandson
and heir was the most favored of boys and
youths, every whm of boyish. and youth
full fancy being granted as soon'a eM
pressed.
And so, when Gilbert had attained the
age of twenty-one, and blushingly an
nounced his undying love for Miss Myra
Wilbur, the belle of many watering
places and seasons, and some five years his
senior, his grandfather only nodded and
said:
"Suit yourself, my boy, suit your
self"
So q 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 tithe of the love laid at her feet. ;, /.
For, being sensitive, poetical and over
INDUCED, the boy made unto himself an
idoland calling it Myra, worshiped it.
And the actual Myra, being eminently
practical, worldly and mereenary, erected
gold idol of unlimited indulgence and
riches, and calling that Gilbert, wor-
SHIPPED it.
Mr.. Gorham, although he was old and
feeble, took carriage and drove from
Fern Nook, the family country seat, into
Poolsville. the town honored by Miss Will
bur's presence, and made formal call.
After he was gone, Miss Wilbur, turn
ing to her mother, made strange speech
for maiden just be .rothed, for she.said:
"After all, mamma, a rich widow is bet
ter than a 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"
at would be well then to keep in the
old gentleman g favor" .
Evidently Myra was of that opinion.
She worked pair Of soft quilted slippers
for the aged feet, she sent flowers and little
dainty dishes to Fern Nook for dear Mr..
4 Gorham; she made herself hundred fold
dearer to her infatuated lover by her deli
cate attentions to his reati We.
Business connected with the settl eme9t
= of a claim of his grandfather's against the
Government called Gilbert to Washing ngtbn,
early in the winter following his betrotbal
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 he
was preparing to return home, a telegram
reached him:
"Wait in New York to see me. Viii
J put up at the Grand Central.
-. "JANE. GoRHAM:"
OF all strange experiences this was tht
| strangest.. His Aunt Jane leaving hel
home to visit the metropolis! Gilber
vainly tried to remember if ever she ha(
been absent from home before, and thor
oughly bewildered, hurried to NEE
her.
His first surprise was to find her gontl
and kind, all, the grim severity Of her man
ner gone Her kiss upon his lips was ten
der as Myra's own.
"My boy" she said, II have news fo
you that will distress you, but beforeI tel
that, want you to listen attentively t.
some business details that were never o
any special interest to you before. Yo,
have always supposed Fern Nook. and th
wealth chat sustains it to be your grand
fathers. "
, "And are they not?" -
! "No, my dear, they are mine. You
> grandfather holds hfea lease, only Of tn
house and half the income. The propert.
was all his wife's and.lef to me, with th
lease. as Isaid, to my father during life