Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1913-02-20
wRAT LOVE MEANS
How Doris Lormer Learned That
One Person Had Become
Very Dear. 7ek
BY Al. DlBBELl

age OF thirty-two without ever having
had . serious affair OF the heart ne
regarded with rather Q patrontzins and
plying manner those OF his friends
who considered a wife and home the
best that life could give them.
Il would rather be free to go and
come as choose, than Z. pc bound
with the matrimonial chain" he told
his friend Frank Whiting. having over
taken that young man on the street
a few days before the date announced
for his marriage to pretty Kitty Slo'
cum Il hope you will be happy,
Frank. but nothing cuts like the letters
with which n has manacied himself"
He smiled with the complacency of as
sured wisdom.
"Oh. rubbish" retorted his unappre-
ciative friend. Wait till you dnd the
right n and all the chains In creation
wouldn't keep you from marrying her
If she would have YOU" He turned
and left Gilbert, who watched his re-
treating form with benevolent pity.
Poor chap. he has 1t bad he said
to himself. continuing on his home
ward way.
Mrs. Horton. the housekeeper. had
taken the best OF care OF the big Far
mansion for many years. Gil
bert had come into possession OF this
f1ne old place upon the passing OF his
uncle. and Mrs. Horton was part OF the
inheritance, q
Gilbert Farrandaie was, ieft an or
phan. and his bachelor uncle had
adopted him as his W child. I'm
doubtedly living all these years with
a conhrmed celibate had much 10 &c
with the nephew's profound knowf-
edge on the subject OF love and mar
rage.
Gilbert had received an invitation 20
young Writings wedding. 3Appotnt-
ed day and hour found him waiting
In the Slocum home for b coming OF
foolish youngsters, as he regard
ed them. if,N4s1A -
Kitty Slocum In filmy white ad,
down the long 10 with
Frank Whiting at her side. She was
pretty enough to touch even a. harder
heart than Giibert's. Gilbert.s eyes
ell nex on the VINO. with Kit
orother, Ernest Followed ! the
oridai pair, ana the deIights Oh oacn-
eior freedom began suddenly to fade
TOT nlm. =
Ihe clergyman joined the young
people IN marriage, M Gilbert was
among the nrst TO oner ~congratuiaT
ions. Inen NJ turned 70 speak with
G and ontatned an intro
duction to the cousin. the mere sight
of wnom a given him a new outlook
On life.
LOFTS Lorlmer was the picture or
Voutn n happiness. Her Dig brown
were enough IN themselves TO
a " made e beautiful. she mad
from ner nome IN q distant part
the state TO act as e cousins lady
n waiting. and b was to remain
WIN the ocu family 1~ndennitely.
Hers was the office OF smoothing over
he parting Of Mr.. and Mrs. slocum
rom their only daughter, a,r.4E
After the Slocum household had set
led back into its regular routine Gil
,ert F~arrandale found his way there
but his friends. were no
onger favored with antimatrimonial
ectures.
Doris always met Gilbert with per-
ect friendliness. but there was moth
ng in her manner to indicate that the
'rrow which had pierced his heart
lad even touched her own.
Gilbert was only too well aware Of
his fact, but he tried to reassure him
elf with the hope that as he really
NEW SO little Of feminine ways hers
night be the usual attitude in such a
ase.
Finding Doris alone on the piazza
ne evening. about six weeks after his
Irst meeting with her, Gilbert Re
olved to know his fate, and her glance
4 kind greeting gave him courage to
ay:
Doris, I love you; will you marry
ne?" then he thought, II must be
razy to put 1t 8 stupidity" and wait
ID In an agony Of apprehension for her
nswer. ga