Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-14
JOHN ERLEIGH, SCHOOLMASTER
A Gripping Story of Love
Mystery and Kidnapping

translate another's ideas into English.
and his originality lost him five marks.
John Erleigh resumed his task reading
quickly, and marking the paper here and
there with figures and crosses. For the
most part his face was grave. but now
and again his features were 1T up with
smile. He was a singulariy handsome
man, with an attractive and almost
magnetic personality. 1t was thought
odd that he had not married, and people
whispered, as people always do, Of an
old love affair. In any case, so they
said, he was well off, and there were
lots OF women who would be glad to
marry him.
The clock on the mantelpiece struck
six, and a few seconds later the deep
toned bell of the abbey tolled out the
hour. The door Of the study opened and
parlormaid entered the room.
''well2" querled Erleigh without look
ing up from his papers. The girl came
forward with card on q small lacquered
tray.
"i,m busy" he said curtly. "I can't
see any one. Who is it?"
Lord Arthur Meriet, SIR" she said,
reading the name from the card as though
she had not seen II before.
Tho expression Of Erlelghs face
changed. and he smiled.
"Ill see Lord Arthur in here" he said.
A faint color came into his cheeks, and
he fingered the examination papers ner-
vously. But he was quite calm and cool
when Lord Arthur entered the room
i've come about that boy of my
brothers." said the latter when the two
men had shaken hands. I'm on my way
back to town. and thought I'd look you
up. hope / am not disturbing you"
Certainly not, II you've come on any
business of Lady Wimberley's. sit down,
won't I nfTa piunV1f
Thanks"
Lord Arthur lit a cigar, and, seating
himself in a chair by the, open window,
crossed his legs and glanced at the table.
Exam. papers, eh?" he querled with
laugh. II wish you'd had some of mine
TO deal with. They'd have either driven
you Off your head or made you die of
laughter. Depends on which way you
looked at 'em."
Erleigh smiled gravely IT find good
deal of fun in them myself" he said.
Lord Arthur nodded approyngly. He
liked the look of this schoolmaster fell
low. A sensible chap, he thought, and
likely to get on with the boys.
well, it's about young Wimberley'
he said. after a pause. His mother has
practically decided to send him here, If
you'll have him"
"I'd be jolly glad to have him, Lord
Arthur. He's the type OF boy we want"
IL suppose he is" said Lord Arthur
dryly.
Ehleigh took no offense. mot because
he is the Marquis of Wimberley," he re-
torted with n pleasant smile, but be-
cause he's thoroughly good Sort with
no nonsense about him. know the boy
well and like him"
'I think he's a bit of mollycoddle my.
self He's been tied too much to his
mothers apron strings"
"well, that kind is easier to deal with.
T A.N1, al lDFa
have n good many boys here whoVe
never known a mothers love, and they're
the hardest to squeeze into the mold"
'T didn't want the boy to come here"
said Lord Arthur slowly. 'I'll be quitr
frank with you II seemed bit too close
to his home. Temptation to be always
running over. My sister-in-law has prom
lsed to leave him alone, but you know
what women are. OF course, that won't
do"
"of course not" said Erlelgh quietly.
Lord Arthur began to ask questions
about the school, the hours Of work and
play, the holidays the food, the punish
.ments, and dozen other things that oc-
cur to man with a memory of his own
school days. John Erlelgh answered
everything quite frankly. but every now
and then a puzzled look came into his
eyes. He was wondering why Lord Ar
thur had come to him at all. Every one
OF these questions had been asked before
by one who had a better right to ask
them. And Lord Arthur himself must
have been quite well aware that head
masters of public schools are autocrats,
and do not allow themselves to be cate
chised on the details OF their system.
At last It seemed as IL the visitors de-
sire for information had come to an end.
Lord Arthur stared at the floor and pulled
at his mustache. For a few seconds there
was an awkward silence. Erleigh saw
that there was something further to be
said-some matter of real importance to
be discussed-sQme topic that Lord Ar
thur found 1t difficult to embark upon.
'If there is anything else said the
headmatser tentatively.
"Well, yes-there is something else
I'm rather afraid you'll laugh at me-but
N can assure you it is no laughing mat
ter"
''rhen shall certainly not laugh. Lord
Arthur Please be quite frank with me,
II there is anything about the boy-any-
thing his mother does not know"
THAT'S Just It, Mr.. Erleigh, II is some-
thing that his mother must not know,
This young nephew of mine must be very
carefully watched"
John Erleigh frowned. I'VE look after
every boy here, Lord Arthur" he said
quietly. There Is no spying on them,
Of course, nothing secret OF that sort.
but"
You misunderstand me- Lord Arthur
interrupted. Let me try to explain. My
nephew is going to be n very rich young
man one of these days. / suppose he'n
have quite hundred thousand a year,
possibly a good bit more. He'll hold big
position"
II hope to ft him for IT," said Erleigh
with grim smile.
'Er-yes. hope so. But don't you see
-er-the position and the money would
be very useful To OuA Or fVO other rnaun-
bers OF my family"
'I'm afraid don't quite see, Lord
| Arthur"
"Well, to put Il bluntly. then. II would
be worth some ones while 10 get rid Of
this lad and step into his shoes"
(To BE CONTINUED ToMoRRoW)
LINER ASHORE; rs LOST