The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1913-02-14
WHAT LOVE MEANS
How Doris Lorimer Learned That
One Person Had Become
Very Dear.
BY NJ. plssELL.

BY N. plssELL.
Gilbert Farrandale had reached the
age of %thirty-two without ever having
had a serious affair of the heart. He
regarded with rather q %patronizing and
plying manner those Of his friends
who considered a wife and home the
best that Me could give them.
Il would rather be free to 60 and
come as I choose, than to be 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 Do pretty Kitty Slo-
cum. II hope you will be happy,
Frank, but nothing cuts like the letters
with which one has manaced himself"
He smiled with the ~conplscency Of az,
sured wisdom.
"Oh. rubbish" uetorted his unappre-
ciative friend. wait till you fhd the
right one 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
RANDALL mansion for many years. Gil
bert had come into possession Of this
ine old place upon the passing Of his
uncle, and Mrs.. Horton wal part Of the
Inheritance.
Gilbert Farrandale was left an or
phan, and his bachelor uncle had
adopted him 10 his own child. I'm
doubtedly living all these years with
a confirmed celibate had much to do
with the nephew's profound knowl.
edge on the subject Of love and mar
riage.
Gilbert had received an invitation to
young Writings wedding. Appoint
ed day and hour found him waiting
in the Slocum home, for the coming of
two foolish yooungsters. as he regard
ed them.
Kitty Slocum in flmy white ad-
vanced down the long Don with
Frank Whiting at her side. She was
pretty enough to touch even a harder
heart than Gilbert's. Gilbert's eyes
fell next on the cousin who, with Kit
tvs brother. Ernest, followed the
bridal pair, and the delights Of bach
elor freedom began suddenly to fade
for him.
The clergyman Joined the young
people In marriage. and Gilbert was
among the first to offer congratula-
tons. Then he turned to speak with
Ernest Slocum. and obtained an intro
duction to the cousin. the mere sight
Of whom had given him q new outlook
on life.
Doris Lorimer was the picture of
youth and happiness. Her big brown
eyes were enough in themselves to
have made her beautiful. She had
come from her home in a distant part
Of the state to act as her coAsin's lady
in waiting. and she was to remain
with the Slocum family indefinitely.
Hers raj the ONCE of smoothing over
the parting Of Mr.. and Mrs. Slocum
from their ok1y daughter.
After the Slocum household had set.
tied back into its regular routine Gil
bert Farrandale found his way there
frequently. but his friends were nc
longer favored with anti-matrimonial
lectures.
Doris always met Gilbert with per
feet fr~iendliness. but there was moth.
ing in her manner to indicate that the
arrow which had pierced his heart
had wen touched her own.
Gilbert o. only too we'll aware OF
his fact. but he tried to reassure him.
self with the hope that as he really
knew SO little Of feminine ways hers
might be the usual attitude In such q
case.
Finding Doris alone on the piazza
one evening. about six weeks after his
first meeting with her. Gilbert re
solved to know his fate. and her glance
of kind greeting gave him courage to
say:
Doris, I love you: will you marry
met" then he thought, II must be
crazy to put 1t SO stupidity" and wait
ed in an agony Of apprehension for he,
answer.
Doris smile broadened. and she re
piled calmly, why, Mr.. %Farrandale.
could not think Of being 80 cruel al
to let you manacle yourself with the
letters which cut so deeply"
Gilbert's heart seemed to sink into
the earth on hearing these fateful
words.
Il was q fool to say that" he de
clared. II thought l was 90 wise
when In tact I had % Idea what love
meant. But now I have learned.
owe you. Doris. Do not punish me-
for ignoranceI know the truth now
He held out his hands to her II
frank appeal.
Doris look grew kinder. but. alas
there was not love for him in ths
brown eyes. Love cannot be forced,
she said, and sometimes l think It II