The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-08-24

1t was a handsome show piece of ex-
travagance, nothing more. yet Hackett
cherished 1t as the apple of his eye.
He went past it at least once a day.
He had columns describing 1t in the
newspapers. He ruled, the money
bags nabob of the town, and foolishly
believed that he was the envied of all
men.
He was sadly disappointed when, at
the end of year. Felice came home
from boarding school and settled down
into the cheerless life he had marked
out for her. She had no heart in the
big sprawling mansion, the mausoleum
cast a gruesome spell over her spirits.
The stern decision of her irrational
father that she should not even notice
the Barrys, chilled her as would win
try blast a delicate, lovely flower.
Twice she met Arnold Barry. Her
father learned of 1t. He iexacted q
promise from her that she would dis
continue all communication with the
Barrys. and her gentle heart nearly
broke.
1T will stand forever!" Wanted
Hsckett one day to q fellow townsman.
the sweep of his hand proudly taking
In the grand mausoleum.
Dunno, Hackett," dissented the
practical neighbor. They tell me it's
got floating foundation, rs they call
it. Used to be auckland where the
river sweeps around Just below it."
Nonsense! declared Hackett. rasp-
ingly. Its built for the ages!"
The weeks went by. Poor mourning
Felice grew paler and more quiet. HeE
father wandered ,uneasily about the
lonely mansion. Then came q three
days deluge. Just at dusk. as the
weather cleared, he crossed the turbid
swollen stream to view the monument
that had cost him a fortune.
solid as rock-they won't soon for
get the name of Hackett" he tried to
console himself by saying.
Then he started back. Mortified. He
saw the cliff side crumble. He saw
the great mausoleum swerve, its un
dermined foundation give way, and II
seemed to disintegrate and slide into
the roaring stream below before his
appalled, vision.
He had built on the sand-mausoleum
and happiness. He was chilled. fright
ened He turned his back upon his
wasted labor with hollow groan.
Was heaven reproducing him; was
fate mocking? How hollow the gains
of all his pride ana scheming! He halt
ed, trembling, as the sound Of joy
Gus hymn of praise was borne to hi:
hearing on the evenings breeze.
He saw the children's home al
ablaze with the glory of the setting
sun. he heard care-free juvenile voices
chanting gratitude and content. All
how completely had the Barrys car
ried out their great life dream to maxi
others happy!
He was shivering like leaf as HI
reached home. There the sad. re
signed face of his lonely daughte
chided him anew. He was overcom
with remorse, all grew dark
1t was a month later when, looking
older by twenty years, he tottere'
about the garden, leaning on Felice'
arm for support. She was the kind
thoughtful daughter in every way. blu
her wearied eyes told Of hOpelessnes
Of her life. Someone passed by.
who was that?" inquired he
| father.
Arnold Barry. father" replied FL
| lice, meekly.
Call him IN. Felice, II hav
| changed my mind. II you are mourn
ing over my past unreasonable stern
ness. forget, forgive"
"Oh! father"
"And tell him-tell him I will b
| glad to give half my fortune to enlarg
| the children's home"
The sun burst forth brilliantly froI
behind a passing cloud as he spoke
the harhinger Of courage and hope 70
an erring soul that saw the true ligh
at last