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

Lynn C~ARETAkERs
BY cLARlssA MAcKiE.

The Gabriel Lynn place was
perched on a high blum overlooking
the shallow bay with the restless sea
beating against the guardian rocks
of the breakwater outside.
The numerous windows were close
" shattered, all save those OF the
west wing, where lived the caretaker
and his wife and daughter. Gabriel
Lynn was dead, and now he rested
In the splendid mausoleum In the
graveyard overlooking the sea.
Fern Dexter leaned against a pillar
Of the west portico and pulled at an
invading branch Of crimson roses.
Her thoughtful gray eyes were fxed
on the horizon line and a little frown
was indented above her nose.
Mrs. Dexter. in a deep basket cha
near by, looked up from her sewing
with an inQuiring smile. MY dear,
I am afraid you are worrying about
the plans Of our new landlord. II
Mr.. Lynn's nephew and heir wishes
to tear down this beautiful place n
transport the most precious parts TO
another location and build a home
elsewhere-we cannot hinder him.
And to fret over the inevitable is not
like my sunny-hearted girl
Fern smiled over her graceful
shoulder, but her tone was serious
81 am not fretting, mother. for now
that father has regained his health
in this bracing sea air and a re-
turn to his desk in Acker's, it does
not matter whether Lynn House
needs a caretaker or not-only. II
does seem so w~retchedly mean OF
young Mr.. Lynn to overlook every
thing that his uncle put into this
house. What it meant to the old
man, Il could shake him for his
stupidity!r Fern turned away n
ran lightly down the stone steps that
led to the white beach below.
Mrs. Dexter was still frowning ma
ternal disapproval Of her daughters
im~petuosity when through the long
window behind her there stepped a
young man, eager eyed and in a state
Of suppressed excitement.
"Ah, Mr.. Lynn" said the little lady
with a charming smile; won't you
sit down and let Nora bring you
something's cupful of teal"
mo. thank you. Mrs. Dexter" said
Gabriel Lynn, his eyes following a
pink linen frock that skinned the
beach below. my train leaves at
5:20-and / believe I'll take a stroll
along shore before ! 60. Mr.. Dexter
and I have transacted so much BUSH
ness that my head is quite befud-
died."
With a laughing nod he, too, ran
down the steps and Mrs. Dexter
watched him as he gained the beach
and turned in the direction taken by
her daughter.
81 wonder IL he heard what Fern
said" she murmured as she resumed
her sewing.
At that moment the new master Of
Lynn House had caught up with the
pink linen frock. Fern turned at the
sound Of his step and he was startled
at the look OF dislike in her gray
eyes.
Gabriel Lynn was not accustomed
to being disliked by fair ladies'. His
own friendly glance hardened and he
spoke b%rusquely.
Il must beg your pardon for fol.
lowing you. Miss Dexter, but I could
not help overhearing what you said
to your mother. Please tell me what
1t was that my uncle put into THIS
house that should not be disturbed
for I do not know"
The girl looked at him with won
dering eyes. Then she made room
for him on the rock beside her.
II will tell you" she said simply.
Your uncle often spoke about his
past life and pointed with evident
pride to what he had accomplished
unaided, and we know-my parents
and myself-what Lynn House meant
to Mr.. Gabriel Lynn; but 1t was like
his unselishness to leave 1t all to
you without restriction"
please tell me-" he repeated pa
tiently. you know that for many
years / served in the Philippines and
I scarcely knew Uncle Gabriel. al
though he and / we're the last Of the
Lynns."
Mr.. Gabriel Lynn, as you know,
began life in this little fishing vii
lage as the o of poor parents. Your
own father was a brilliant scholar,
and soon left Seahurst for the
metropolis. Your Uncle Gabriel,
younger, and fired by a great ambi-
ton to lift his family from the OBJ
security of poverty, worked his, way
upward little by little until after
40 years he had amassed a great
fortune. Then he built this mansion
on the site Of his fathers cottage
and SO deep and tender were his sem
timents that his private sitting. room
contains much of the furniture OF the
cottage in which he spent his boy
hood. His fathers armchair, his
mothers sewing rocker and many
family keepsakes are there. In spite
London~ criticizes New York.
The little differences between life
10 4 opdnn and Nauy YnrH ara hu M