The Mount Holly news., 1915-01-26
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LYNN CARETAkERs
BY cLARIssA MAcKiE.

The Gabriel Lynn place was
perched on high bluff overlooking
the shallow lay with the restless sea
beating against the guardian rocks
Of the brea Ky ater outside
The numerous windows were close
ly shuttered, all save those of the
west wing, vi ere lived the caretaker
and his wifi md daughter Gabriel
Lynn was del and now he rested
in the splendid mausoleum in the
graveyard overlooking the sea.
Fern Dexter leaned against pillar
of the west portico and pulled at an
invading branch of crimson roses.
Her thoughtful gray eyes we're fixed
on the horizon line and little frown
was inderted above her nose.
Mrs. Dexter, in a deep basket chair
near by, looked up from her sewing
with an inquiring smile. MY dear.
/ 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 and
transport the most precious parts to
another location and build 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 can re-
turn to his desk in Acker's, it does
not matter whether Lynn House
needs a caretaker or not-only, 1t
does seem SO wretchedly mean of
young Mr. Lynn to overlook every
thing that his uncle put into this
house. What 1t meant to the old
mani 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 disapproval of her daughters
impetuosity when through the long
window behind her there stepped a
young man, eager eyed and In state
of suppressed excitement.
"Ah, Mr. Lynn" said the little lady
with charming smile; won't you
sit down and let Nora bring you
something's cupful 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
5:20-and believe I'll take stroll
along shore before 60 Mr. Dexter
and l have transacted so much busi-
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.
Il 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 hen gray
eyes.
Gabriel Lynn was not accustomed
to being disliked by fair ladies'. His
own friendly glance hardened and he
spoke brusquely.
II 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
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 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 unselfishness to leave it all to
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, 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 son of poor parents. Your
own father was a brilliant scholar,
and soon left Seahurst for the
metropolis. Your Uncle Gabriel,
younger, and fred by a great ambi-
ton to lift his family from the OBJ
scurity 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
VI LID 81 ACaL EC0AkA 64Q uAd lud4y
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, If you tear 1t
down. as 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. Il 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 1t is. would 1t not
make 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"
Gabriel Lynn put out protesting
hand
Il understand now," said he gently.
"I am ashamed-and I thank you.
Miss Dexter l am going now to
visit my uncle's room and become
acquainted with him" He held out