The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-11-17
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lynn CARETAKEpS
ev cLARISSA MAckIE.


OF the breakwater outside.
Tha numerous windows were close
" suffered, all save those OF the
west wing, where lived the caretaIe,
and his wife and daughter. Gabriei
LYNN was dead. and now he resteo
in the splendid mausoleum IN the
xrayeyard overlooking the sea.
Fern Dexter leaned against piiiaI
Of the west portico and pulled al an
invading branch OF crimson roses
Her thoughtful gray eyes we're nxeo
on the horizon line and little froWn
was indented above her nose.
Mrs. Dexter, in a deep basket chair
near by, looked up from her sewing
with an inouiring 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 ano
transport the most precious parts 10
another location and build a home
| elsewhere-we cannot hinder him.
And to fret over the inevitable is moi
like nv sunny-hearted girl"
Fern smiled over her graceful
shoulder, but her tone was serious
'T am not fretting. mother. for now
that father has regained his health
in this bracing sea air and can re-
| turn to his desk in Acker's, it does
not matter whether Lynn House
needs a caretaker or not-only, i
does seem so wretchedly mean OF
young Mr.. Lynn to overlook every
thing that his uncle put into this
house What it meant to the old
man. II could shake him for his
stupidity" Fern turned away ard
ran lightly down the stone steps that
| led to the white beach below.
Mrs. Dexter was still frowning ma.
ternl disapproval of her daughters
impetuosity when through the long
window behind her there stepped
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
1 vi tCd.
mo. thank you. Mrs. Dexter" said
Gabriel Lynn, his eyes following a
pink linen frock that skinned the
beach below. MY train leaves al
5:20-and I believe I'll take a stroll
along shore before 60. Mr.. Dexter
and I have transacted 50 much bust.
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 If 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
|
spoke brusouely.
II must beg your pardon for fol.
lowing you. Miss Dexter, but could
not help overhearing what you said
to your mother. Please tell me what
It was that my uncle put into this
house that should not be disturbed
for ! do not know"
The girl looked at him with won.
dering eyes. Then she made room
for him on the rock beside ner.
Il will tell you," she said simply
Your uncle often spoke about his
past life and pointed with eviden,
pride to what he had accomplished
unaided. and We know-my parents
and myself-what Lynn House meant
to Mr.. Gabriel Lynn: but it was like
his unselishness to leave II all te
you without restriction"
please tell me-" he repeated pa
tiently. you know that for many
years / served in the Philippines and
scarcely knew Uncle Gabriel. Ill
though he and were the last Of the
Lynns"
Mr.. Gabriel Lynn, as you know
began life in this little fishing vii
lage as the son Of poor parents YOU
own father was a brilliant scholar
and soon left Seahurst for tn,
metropolis. Your Uncle Gabriel
younger. and fred by a great ambi
ton to lift his family from the OBJ
security Of poverty, worked his va,
upward little by little until afte,
40 years he had amassed a grea
fortune. Then he built this mansion
on the site Of his fathers cottage
and SO deep and tender were his sen
dments that his private sittins.roon
contains much Of the furniture of tn,
cottage in which he spent his boy
hood. His fathers armchair. hi,
> mothers sewing rocker and man,
family keepsakes are there. In spit,
OF his great wealth and his man,
friends he was very lonely man
This house-in itself a monument I,
his family, built in this isolated
fishing village-contains much tina
Is not visible; vet. if Won taar :;