The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1908-02-14
AUDREY'S
KNIGH T.
By EPES w. SARGENT
Copyrighted. 1903, by Homer Sprague.
Q

Across the snow clad fields the en-
chantcd castle was brilliantly lighted,
and Audrey Sheldon, scanning with
longing eyes the wlntry wastes. sighed
as she tried TO picture the comfort
hidden by the gray walls.
1t was not really a castle nor yet en-
chanted, but II had pleased Major
KirkwoOd TO have his home copy OF
castle on the Rhine which he had
seen on one of his summer trips. ana
Audrcy's Imagination supplied the rest.
The major was bachelor and sell
dom entertained on large scale, but
every night the lights flashed across
the gllttering 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-Tcrhune, the majors niece and
nclghbor
1t was only two years since Audrey
herself had been social queee OF
wrong I'm 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 trcachcry 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
bravcly, and for the two years since
her fathers death she had been gov
erncss 10 the two Thompson-Terhune
girls Mt a 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 wcarlly sat down at the desk
TO correct the girls exercises. 1t was
severely plain apartment, for Mrs.
ThOmpson-Terhune was an ambitious
climber whose aims were far In eX-
cess OF the income she enjoyed. ana
her money was spent only where 1t
would show.
\ few railroad maps were the only
wall decorations OF the schoolroom, and
three hard wooden chairs, n shabby
bed and a wardrobe completed the fur
nlshlng. II was at once the school
room and Audrey's apartment.
Patiently the girl worked at her task
while she thought bitterly Of the gave
" downstairs. where preparations were
being made for dinner party In honor
of Major Kirkwood's birthday.
Long after the usual hour the house
keeper would send up n trayful Of
broken meats. the lcavngs OF the feast.
ana she would eat II on the top of the
desk that also served as n bureau and
dressing table. She thought Of the
time wlSs 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 n door reused
her, and she sprang TO her feet 10 face
Mrs. Thompson-Tcrhun
"You must help me out. Miss Shel.
htHs Nut Nslu uHlulNiNs uh ih ~
most terrible plight That horrid Mar.
| tha Homer and her crowd are not com.
| ing over. That leaves just thirteen NJ
| table, and Major Kirkwood Is SO hor-
ribly superstitous. You simply must
pretend TO he one of the guests. No
one around here knows YOU. and II
will he all right"
"But I have nothing TO wear except
! the most simple frocks." said Audrey.
| II sold my evening gowns. you know,
to get money FOR the purchase of things
I really needed"
81 have some things that may fit.
We are almost Of a size. Maria shall
help you. Come with me-" The hostess
turned abruptly and led the wey to her
own apartments. She was accustomed