The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-20
HER STRANGE SCHOLAR
BY KEITH KENYON.

You Do Today"
The first line was barely finished
when Elsin became conscious OF q
new voice-a little boys strong treble
without the faintest appreciation Of
tune.
At the end Of the first verse, Elsin
turned to the circle and discovered the
cause of the flutter Of excitement
among her pupils as well as the own
er of the discordant voice.
Seated cross-legged On the floor, In
the middle of the circle, was strange
little boy, a winsome-faced laddie Of
I'VE years. with big brown eyes and
curly mop Of flaxen hair. He wore a
Russian blouse of blue serge and bore
every appearance of having come from
comfortable home and the loving
hands of mother.
"Good-morning." cried Elsin. a lit
tie breathlessly. 1--WE are very glad
to see you. Will you come and tell
me your name?"
The small visitor got up and came
to Elsin's knee. putting up a wistful
mouth to te kissed
Tell me your name, DEAR" urged
Elsin.
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbridge,'
returned the child.
THAT is a very nice name, iona
than" said Elsin. Now you must
tell me who brought you to school
this morning"
81 came myself-Dobbin is down in
the yard"
who is Dobbin. dear?'
He is my pony. Don't you know
him? I told him I was coming this
morning and sc he bringed me. I've
been wanting to come for long, long
time, and daddy said he'd see about
it, but he is very busy man" iona
than pulled out his chest and looked
very important
Every well, Jonathan, you may fetch
little chair into the circle ard will
send word to your father that you are
here
But 1t was a difficult matter to dis
cover the residence Of Jonathan Fer
dinand Marbridge and Dobbin, his pie
bald pony. No one in Wildwood ap
peared to recognize the name of Mar
bridge and even the central telephone
exchange could give 20 clue to tie
identity Of the little boys parents.
II will held the bride ard Dobbin
must .,show- me the sway to your
house." said Eisin, pulling her white
wcolly cap over her bronze.browr
hair.
"Dchbin knows the way" said iona
than confidently.
DO you live in Oakland Plains
Jonathan" she asked. "An1 your
mother, dear? Won't she worry abou
you?"
Il haven't any mother any more
Miss Elsin-she is with God. There's
no one 'cept daddy and Mrs. Wick
ham and Sarah ana the other serv
ants"
Sc Dotbin led the way, ard finall,
they emerged into tall oak Woods, ant
In tho distance was a sncw-swep
stretch Of lawn with great groups @
magnificent trees Surrounding a long
rambling red brick mansion.
That's my house, cried Jonatha.
exciteIly. land there is daddy, run
ning-I wonder what is the natter
Perhaps the house is on fire." he adj
ed complacently.
A tall man without hat or overc "a
was running rapidly toward then,
my little lad" The man snatchet
the boy from the saddle and held hin
close to his heart.
Elsin answered his questioning eve,
, by telling him how she had discovered
the child sitting in the middle of he
kindergarten class, 1--WE tried to fin,
his people. but could net locate any
one of the nare Of Marbriage," sh,
said.
mo wonder! Martridge is onI,
one CT Jonathan's many names. He Il
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbridge- Har
court-named for two grandfathers
He often neglects to add the paterna
surname. l am deeply grateful. Mis-
Dorry. You have had a long wall
through the snow Will you not com,
to the house and let Mrs. Nickban
my housekeeper. give you a Gun q
tea, ard then l will take you h ,me I,
my carr"
Please do, Miss Elsin, dear" plead
ed Jonathan.
After that memorable day Jonatha,
Ferdinand Marbridge-Harcourt cam,
to Miss DORIS kindergarten ever
morning. But the faithful Dcbbin al,
not bring him. Mr.. Harccurt wa
never too busy to drive his little ar,
over. to Wcodbine street, nor was h
tee busy to visit the school yerv ,rc
cuently. Indeed, one day he secan
a member Of the charmed circle m,
told such wonderful stories that IN
children tore themselves reluctantl
away to play in the April sunshine
And one day Mr.. Harcourt crowne,
his reputation as a story.teller n
telling Elsin Dorr the most wonde,
fui story that she had ever heard An
Elsin listened and belieyee-eve,
when he called himself her mode
scholar. For he had faithfully learne
tie lesson she had taught him
love her.
VopyrlSht 1915. by the Mcclure Naws,,
| per Syndieate) "sps