Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-11-26

| OF his great wealth and his many
friends he was a very lonely man.
This house-in itself a monument to
his family, built In this isolated
fishing village-contains much that
is not visible; yet, II you tear. 1t
down, as my father says you Intend
to do, and s the most valuable
parts in the construction of your new
summer home in a mor fashionable
resort, you will be destroying more
than mere bricks and mortar"
Gabriel Lynn looked into her eyes
and hung his head. Il am afraid
that l gave little thought to that side
OF the question" he confessed. Il
always thought Of my uncle as a
stern, ~self-centered, repressed man.
who cared for little else than money
Before you 90 home visit his pri-
vate sitting-room on the second floor
IL you would better understand Mr..
Lynn" urged the girl. Then, then.
ysu will strive to make Lynn House
into a permanent monument to the
memory Of a generous-hearted. lonely
man. Situated as 1t is, would 1t not
make a wonderfully beautiful home
for tired working people? Leave the
mahogany doors. and the Italian
marble mantelpieces, and the lovely
garden, Poor people crave such beau
ties, and"
Gabrie, Lynn put out a protesting
hand.
Il understand now" said he gently.
Il am ashamed-and / thank you,
Miss Dexter. l am going now to
visit my uncle's room and become
acquainted with him." He held out
his hand.
When he had gone she sat there
with a deep pink dyeing her checks.
What impertinence from the care
takers daughter" she laughed shak-
lily. 81 am very much afraid II father
had not already resigned that we
would all be driven from this Eden!"
A half hour later she saw him
climbing the hill toward the GENE.
terry which Gabriel Lynn had beauti-
fled. A curious smile curved her lips.
The next morning Mr.. Dexter tossed
a letter acros the breakfast table.
"Mr. Lynn has changed his mind
about tearing down the house." he
said. He has some philanthropic
scheme in view and wants mi to as.
sumo charge of the matter at a salary
that I can hardly refuse. What do
you say. my dear"
Mrs. Dexter had much to say In
praise of the change Of plan, but
Fern was very silent. Her gray eyes
were gravely tender as she went
about her household tasks.
A week later Gabriel Lynn came
down, enthusiastic over the new Va
cation Home. Fern avoided him. but
the young man seemed strangely con-
tented and happy.
AS the season advanced and the
new plan bore bruit of happiness and
Joy for many a weary city worker,
Gabriel came down and spent the
week-ends busying himself with a
hundred details to make the Lynn
Vacation Home perfect.
1t was the close of September when
he again pursued a pink linen frock
down the pebbly beach.
1t was not the reflection Of the sun
set, nor the glow Of the pink frock
that flushed Ferns cheeks until she
looked distractingly lovely to the
eager young man who came to sit be-
side her on an overturned boat.
Fern" he whispered.
This time her eyes showed no dis
like OF him. On the contrary he was
emboldened to take her hands.
Dear" he said. every man needs
a good woman to point the way for
him. You saved me from a selfish
deed-you made m acquainted with
the real Gabriel Lynn who builded
this house. You revealed to me the
spirit that pervaded 1t. You kept my
hands from d~esecrating 1t. My life
belongs to you-and I need you be-
cause. l love you! l want a caretaker
for my hearth"
FeHh's answer was entirely satisfac-
tory, Ind when the Dexters saw them
coming up the steps hand in hand,
they smiled tearfully at each other.
This caretaker job looks like a
life sentence. 10Y that it's in the
family" twinkled Mr.. Dexter.
Copyright, 1914. by the Mcclure Newspc-
per Syndicate.)