The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-10-28
The EDenine Story

(By Clarissa Mackie.)

Careiakers.
(By Clarissa Mackie.)
The Gabriel Lynn place was perched
on a. high bluff overlooking the shall
law bay with the restless seat beating
against the guardian rocks of the
breakWater outside.
The numerous windows were closely
suffered. all save those Of the west
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 pillar
of the west portfco and pulled at an
invading branch of crimson roses. Her
thoughtful gray eyes were fixed on
the horizon line ard little frown WINS
indented above her nose.
Mrs. Dexter, in I deep basket chair
near by, looked W, from her sewing
with an inquiring smile. my dear. 1
am AFRAID you are worrying about the
plans of our new landlord. If Mr..
Iynn'S nephew and heir wishes to tear
down this beautiful place and trans
port the most precious parts to an
other location and build a home else
| where-we cannot hinder him. And
to fret over the inevitable Is not like
my sunny hearted GIRL
Fern smiled over her graceful shout
! der, but her tone was serious. II am
not fretting, mother, for now that
father has regained his heath In this
desk in Acker's, t does not matter
whether Lynn house needs a care
taker or not-only, it does seem 50
wretchedly mean OF young Mr.. Lynn
put into this house. What 1t meant
to the old man! IL could shake him
for his stupidity!'' Fern turned away
| and ran lightly down the stone steps
that led to the white beach below.
Mrs. Dexter was still frowning ma
ternal disapproyal Of her daughters
impetuosity when through the long
window behind her. there stepped q
young man. eager eyed and in q state
j Of suppressed excitement.
! ''Ah, Mr. Lynn said the little lady
with q charming smile: won't you sit
down and let Nora bring you some
thing-a cup Of tea?"
mo, thank you, Mrs. Dexter" said
Gabriel Lynn. his eyes following a pink
linen frock that skinned the beach
below. my train leaves at five-twen-
ty-and believe Ill take stroll along
shore before I go. Mr.. Dexter and
have transacted SO much business that
my head Is quite befuddled."
| With a laughing nod he, too, ran
down the steps ana Mrs. Dexter watch
ed him as he gained the beach and
turned in the direction taken by her
II wonder il he heard what~Fern
said" she nurmured as she resumed
her sewing.
r. Al 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 dislfked by fair ladies. His
own friendly glance hardened and he
spoke brusQueiy.
lowing you. Miss Dexter. but I could
not help overhearing what you said
to your mother. Please tell me what
ii was that my uncle put into this
house that should not be disturbed
Tor i do not know"
dering eyes. Then she made room for
him on the rock beside her.
IT will tell you," she said simply.
your uncle often spoke about his
past life and pointed with evident
pride to what he had accomplished
and myself, hat Lynn House meant
to Mr.. Gabriel Lynn; but it was like
his unselfishness to leave it all to you
! without restriction"
please tell me-" he repeated pa
years served in the Philippines and
scarcely knew my Uncle Gabriel. al
. though he and were the last of the
/ Lynns."
mr. Gabriel Lynn, as you know,
began life in this little fishing village
as the son 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 ambition to lift his
| family from the obscurity of poverty,
! worked his way upward little by little
| until after forty years he had amassed
mansion on the site of his fathers cot
tage-and SO deep and tender were
his sentiments that his private sitting
room contains much Of the furniture
of the cottage in which he spent his
boyhood. His fathers armchair, his
mothers sewing rocker and many
family keepsakes are there. In spite
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 fish,
| ing village-contains much that il not
my father says you intend to do, and
use the most valuable parts in the
construction of your new summer
home in a more fashionable resort,
you will be destroying more than
| mere bricks and mortar.
Gabriel Lynn looked into her eyes
| and hung his head 81 am afraid
that gave little thought to that side
of the question" he confessed. II
always thought of my uncle as a
stern. self-centered. repressed man,
who cared for little else than
(, money
Before you go home visit his pri-
vate sitting room on the second floor
If you would better understand Mr..
! Lynn urged the girl. Then. then.
you will strive to make Lynn House
into a permanent monument to the
memory of a generous hearted. lonely
man Situated as it is, would 1t not
make wonderfully. beautiful home
! for tired working people? Leave the
| mahogany doors, and the Italian
marble mantelpieces. and the lovely