The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-22
her STRANGE SCHOLAR
BY KEITH KENYON.

plAuO, leu tAChh AZ sAo-~o
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 hutter Of excitement
among her pupils as well as the own
or of the discordant voice.
Seated cross-legged On the door. IN
the middle of the circle, was . strange
little boy, a winsome-faced laddie OF
five years. with big brown eyes and a
curly mop OF fiaxen hair He wore
Russian blouse Of blue serge and bore
every appearance Of having come from
a comfortable home and the loving
hands of a mother.
"Good.morning!" cried Elsin, lit
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 a wistful
mouth to he kissed.
Tell me your name, dear" urged
Elsin.
Jonathan Ferdinand Marbridge."
returned the child.
That is very nice name. Jona-
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? I told him | was coming this
morning and SC he hringed 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" Jona-
than pulled out his chest and looked
very important.
Every well, Jonathan. you may fetch
little clair into the circle and will
send word to your father that you are
here
But it 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.
Il will held the bride ard Dobbin
; must .,show- me the, sway to your
Rouse" said Elsin, pulling her white
wcolly cap over her bronze-browr
hair.
"Dcbbin knows the way" said Jona-
than confidently.
DO you live in Oakland Plains,
Jonathan" she asked. And your
mother, dear? Won't she worry about
you?"
Il haven't any mother any more,
Miss Elsin-she is with God. There's
no one 'cept daddv and Mrs. Wick
ham and Sarah and the other serv.
ants"
sc Dottin led the way, ard finally
they emerged into tall oak Woods, and
in the distance was a sncw-swept
stretch of lawn with great groups Of
magnificent trees surrounding a lcng,
rambling red trick mansion.
That's my house." cried Jonatha,
excite1ly, land there is daddy, run
ning-I wonder what is the natter?
Perhaps the house is on fire." he add
ed complacently.
A tall man without hat or overc Dat
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
kindergarten class. I'VE tried to find
his people. but could net locate any,
one OF the name of Marbri5ge," she
said.
mo wonder! Martridge is only
one CT Jonathans many names. He is
Jonathan Ferdinand Marhridge-Har.
court-named for two grandfathers
He often neglects to add the paternal
surname. ] am deeply grateful. Miss
| Dorry. You have had a long walk
through the snow. Will you not come
to the house and let Mrs. Eickha-o.
my housekeeper. give you a cuo OF
tea. AID then will take you home in
my carr
Please do, Miss Els!n, dear" plead.
ed Jonathan.
After that memorable day Jonathan
Ferdinand MISUNDERSTANDING came
to Miss DORIS kindergarten everv
morning. But the faithful. Dcbbin dia
not bring him. Mr.. Harccurt was
never too busy to drive his little sen
over to Wcodbine street, nor was he
tee busy to visit the school very fro.
euently Indeed, one day he tecans
a member of the charmed circle and
told such wonderful stories that tbe
children tore themselves relucta,tIv
away to play in the April sunshine
And one day Mr.. Harcourt cr,wred
MS reputation as a story-tcller hv
telling Elsin Dorr the most wcndar.
fui story that she Rad ever heard An.
Elsin listened and belieyee-evar
when he called himself her Md,
scholar For he had faithfully ,eorns,
l -