Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1915-10-28
HER STRANGE SCHOLAR
BY KEITH KENYON.

through the windows OF the school
room where Elsln Dorr taught and
played with her kindergarten babies.
There were fifteen OF the young.
sters sitting in their little chairs
around the wide circle chalked on the
schoolroom floor and Elsin, ut the
piano, led them in singing Good
Morning, Merry Sunshine; How Do
You Do Today?"
The first line was barely finished
when Elsin became conscious OF a
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 we'll as the own
er OF the discordant voice.
Seated cross.legged on the floor. In
the middle Of the circle, was o strange
little boy, q winsome-faced laddie Of
five years, with big brown eyes and q
curly mop Of flaxen hair. He wore q
Russian blouse Of blue serge and bore
every appearance Of having come from
q comfortable home and the loving
hands of a mother.
"Good-morning!" cried Elsin, q lit
tie breathlessly. I'VE are very glad
to see you. viii you come and tell
me your name?"
The small visitor got up and came
to Elsln's knee, putting up o wistful
mouth to be 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
II came myself-Dobbin is down in
the yard"
"Who Is Dobbin, dear?"
HE is my pony. Don't you know
him? told him l was coming this
morning and so he bringed me. I've
been wanting to come for long, long
time, and daddy said he'd see about
1t, but he is q very busy man." Jona-
than pulled out his chest and looked
very important.
VERY well, Jonathan, you may fetch
a little chair into the circle and 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. no clue to the
identity Of the little boys parents.
Il will hold the bride and Dobbin
must show me the way to your
house." said Elsin, pulling her white
woolly cap over her bronze.brown
hair.
"Dobbin knows the way" said Jona-
than confidently.
do you live in Oakland Plains,
Jonathan" she asked. "And your
mother, dearH Won't she worry about
your"
II haven't any mother any more,
Miss Elsin-she is with God. There's
no one 'cept daddy and Mrs. Wick.
ham and Sarah and the other serv-
ants"
So Dobbin led the way, and finally |
they emerged into tall oak woods, and |
In the distance was a snow-swept |
stretch Of lawn with great groups of |
magnificent trees surrounding q long, |
red brick mansion.
That's my house." cried Jonathan
land there is daddy, run
nlng-I wonder what is the matter?
Perhaps the house is on fire." he add
ed complacently.
A tall man without hat or overcoat
was running rapidly toward them.
my little lad" The man snatched
the boy from the saddle and held him
close to his heart.
Elsin answered his questioning eyes
by telling him how she had discovered
the child sitting in the middle of her
class. I'VE tried to find
his people, but could not locate any
one Of the name Of Marbridge," she
said.
mo wonder! Marbridge Is only
Dne Of Jonathan's many names. He is
Jonathan Ferdinand MarbrIdge-Har-
court-named for two grandfathers.
He often neglects to add the paternal
surname. am deeply grateful, Miss
Derry. You have had a long walk
through the snow. Will you not come
10 the house and let Mrs. W-ickham,
my housekeeper, give you cup OF
Tea, and then win take you home in
my cart"
"Please do, Miss Elsin, DEAR" plead
ID Jonathan.
After that memorable day Jonathan
Ferdinand Marbrldge- Harcourt came
10 Miss DORIS kindergarten every
But the faithful Dobbin did
not bring him. Mr. Harcourt was