The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-08-09
her STRANGE SCHOLAR
BY KEITH KENYON.

stefS blttlng IN tnelr ltIlo chairs
around the wide circle chalked on the
schoolroom floor and Elsin, at 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 fiutter of excitement
among her pupils as well az the own
er of the discordant voice.
Seated cross-legged on the floor, in
the middle of the circle, was a strange
little boy, wipsome-faced laddie OF
five years, with big brown eyes and a
curly mop of fiaxen 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 1T
tie breathlessly. I'VE 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 wfstful
mouth to be kissed.
Tell me your name, DEAR" urged
Elsin.
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbridge,"
returned the child.
That is very nice name, iona
than" said Elsin. Now you must
tell me who brought you to school
this morning"
Il 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 Sd he bringed me. I've
been wanting to come for long. long
time. and daddy said he'd see about
it, but he is a very busy man" Jona-
than puffed out his chest and looked
very important.
Very well, Jonathan, you may fetch
little chair into the circle and l will
send word to your father that you are
here"
But it was difficult matter to dis.
cover the residence or 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 iona
than confidently.
DO you live in Oakland Plains,
Jonathan?" she asked. "And your
mother, dear? Won't she worry about
your"
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 and the other serv-
ants"
So Dobbin led the way, and finally
they emerged into tall oak woods. and
in the distance was d sHow-swspt
stretch of lawn with great groups of
magnificent trees surrounding long.
rambling red brick mansion.
That's my house, cried Jonathan
excitedly, "and there is daddy. run
ning-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 ladl" 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
kindergarten class. I'VE tried to find
his people. but could not locate any
one of the name of Marbridge," she
said.
NO wonderi Marbridge is only
one of Jonathan's many names. He is
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbrldge-Har-
court-named for two grandfathers.
He often neglects to add the paternal
surname. | am deeply grateful, Miss
Dorry. You have had long walk
through the snow. VIII you not come
to the house and let Mrs. Wickham.
my housekeeper. give you a cup OF
tea, and then / will take you home in
my carr"
Please do, Miss Elsin, dear" plead
ed Jonathan.
After that memorable day Jonathan
Ferdinand Marbridge-Harcourt came
to Miss DORIS kindergarten every
morning. But the faithful Dotbin aid
not bring him. Mr. Harcourt was
never too busy to drive his little son
over to Woodbine street. ncr was he
too busy to visit the school very FIRE
quentiy Indeed, one day be became
a member OF the charmed circle and
told such wonderful stories that Ire
children tore themselves reluctantly
away to play In the April sunshine
And one day Mr.. Harcourt crowred
his reputation as a stSryteller by
telling Elsin Dorr the most wonder