Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1908-03-24
AUDREY'S
kNIGH T.
By EPEs ". SARGENT.
Copyrighted. 1908, by Homer sprague. :
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES

as she tried to picture the comfort
hidden by the gray walls.
1t was not really a castle nor yet en-
chanted. but 1t had pleased Major
Kirkwood to have his home copy OF
a castle on the Rhine which he had
seen on one of his summer trips. ana
Audrey's imagination supplied the rest.
The major was q bachelor and sell
dom entertained on large scale, but
every night the lights flashed across
the gli.tering snow. and Audrey loved
to stand by the window and imagine
that there lived the knight who some
day would come to rescue her from the
ogre as represented by Mrs. Thomp-
son-Terhune, the majors niece and
neighbor.
1t was only two years since Audrey
herself had been a social queen OF
small domain, but something had gone
wrong in her fathers bank. She never
understood what 1t was, but his per-
sonal fortune had gone to sustain the
wrecked credit of the institution. and
the treachery Of some Of the directors
combined with the wreck Of his for
tune had sent Henry Sheldon to his
grave.
Audrey had faced the situation
bravely, and for the two years since
her fathers death she had been gov
erness to the two Thompson-Terhune
girls at salary so absurdly small
that Mrs. Thompson-Terhune lived In
daily dread that some one might dis
cover how small was the sum paid
and coax the girl away.
Audrey turned away from the win
dow and YEARLY sat down at the desk
| to correct the girls exercises. 1t was
a severely plain apartment. for Mrs.
Thompson-Terhune was an ambitious
climber whose aims were far In ex-
cess of the income she enjoyed, and
her money was spent only where 1t
would show.
A few railroad maps were the only
wall decorations Of the schoolroom. and
three hard wooden chairs. a shabby
desk too old for office use, folding
bed and a wardrobe completed the fur
nishlng. It was at once the school
room and Audrey's apartment.
Patiently the girl worked at her task
while she thought bitterly Of the gave
| 49,, otr, .har ro
being made for dinner party in honor
| Of Major Kirkwood's birthday.
Long after the usual hour the house
keeper would send up . trayful of
broken meats. the leavings of the feast,
and she would eat 1t on the top Of the
desk that also served as bureau and
dressing table. She thought Of the
| time when she would have been one Of
the guests, and her dainty head fell
| forward on the arms that were flung
upon the desk.
The nervous closing Of door reused
her, and she sprang to her feet to face
Mrs. ThompsonTerh
"You must help me out Miss Shell
don." she said abruptly. 81 am in a
most terrible plight. That horrid Mar
| tina Homer and her crowd are not COM
Ing over That leaves just thirteen at
| table. and Major Kirkwood Is 80 hor-
ribly superstitious. You simply must
pretend to be one Of the guests. No
one around here knows you. and 1t
will be all right"
But l have nothing to wear except
the most simple frocks." said Audrey.
Il sold my evening gowns. you know,
to get money for the purchase Of things
| really needed"
81 have some things that may fit.
We are almost Of size. Maria shall
| help you. Come with me-" The hostess
turned abruptly and led the way to her
own apartments She was accustomed
| to implicit obedience from her en-
ployees. and Audrey knew better than
| to object.
She smiled to herself as the deft
French maid helped her into a quiet
gown Of gray Audrey was favorite
with the servants, and with loving care
| Marie pinned and draped until she was
satisfied with the result.
Audrey was just in time to descend
| the stairs and receive with Mrs.
Thompson-Terhu the first Of the
guests With the strange feeling that
it was all part Of the enchantment,
she moved through the rooms, chatting
with the guests until dinner was an
| nounced
Mrs. Thompson-Terhun counted much
upon her prospects from the major.
He was still hale and hearty, but she
lived in pleasurable anticipation Of his
unexpected taking of. and she sadly
needed the money that would come to
her at his death.
His word was law with her, and
when he insisted that Audrey be placed
| next to him at table the hostess
promptly changed the seating arrange
ments even while she planned that
Audrey should be dismissed the next
day with salary In lieu of a notice.
Audrey, all unconscious Of the ankle
ties Of her hostess. enjoyed herself to
the full. and enjoyment transformed
the little face that had become so wan
and somber In the last few months.
Knowing how anxious Mrs. Thomp-
SON. Terhune was that her guest of hon
or might enjoy himself. Audrey exert
ed herself to be entertaining with such
good success that the ma or insisted
that Audrey should he brought over to
| the castle for luncheon some day be-
fore her return to town.
"NIiss Sheldon unfortunately is re-
turning to town tomorrow" said Mrs
rhompson-rerhu acidly as she gave
the signal to the ladies' to rise In order
to terminate the argument.
The men were not long in Joining the
ladies', and the major made straight
for Audrey's side. nor would he be dis
lodged until the party broke up
AS the last carriage rolled away Au-
drey turned to her employer with eyes
| that danced. ut was such fun to mas
querade! she cried. with little
laugh. 81 wonder what the major
would say could he know that my re-
turn to town In the morning was mere
ly change to the nursery governess."
"You will 60 up to town In the morn.
Ing" was the quiet response. II will