Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1908-02-19
AUDREY'S
KNIGHT
By EPES ". SARGENT.


Across the snow clad fields the en-
chanted castle was brilliantly lighted.
and Audrey Sheldon. scanning with
longing eyes the wintry wastes. sighed
a. she tried to picture the comfort
hidden by the gray walls.
1t was not really castle nor yet en-
chanted but It had pleased Major
Kirkwood to have his home a copy Of
q castle on the Rhine which he had
seen on one of his summer trips. ana
Audrey's imagination supplied the rest
The major was bachelor and Sell
dom entertained on large scale. but
every night the lights flashed across
the glittering snow. and Audrey loved
to stand by the window and imagine
that there hved 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.
It was only two years since Audrey
herself had been social queen Of a
small domain. but something had gone
wrong in her fathers bank. She never
understood what it 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 a salary so absurdly small
that Mrs. Thompson-Terhun 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
Q 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 il
would show.
A few railroad maps were the only
waT decorations Of the schoolroom. and
three hard wooden chairs, shabby
desk too old for Office use, a folding
bed and a wardrobe completed the fur
nishing. 1t was at once the school
room and Audrey's apartment
Patiently the girl worked at her task
while she thought bitterly of the gave
y 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 a 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 a door reused
her, and she sprang to her feet to face
Mrs. Thompson erhune.
You must help me out. Miss Shell
DON" she said abruptly. IT am in q
most terrible plight That horrid Mar
tina Homer and her crowd are not com
ing over. That leaves just thirteen a,
table. and Major Kirkwood Is so hor
ribly superstitious. You simply mus
pretend to be one Of the guests. NJ
one around here knows you. and Il
win be all right"
But have nothing to wear excep
the most simple frocks." said Audrey
IT sold my evening gowns, you know
to get money for the purchase of thing.
] really needed"
II have some things that may fit
We are almost OF a size. Maria shall
help you. Come with me-" The hostes!
turned abruptly and led the way to hel
own apartments. She was accustomed
to implicit obedience from her EN-
ployees. and Audrey knew better thar
to object.
She smiled to herself as the def
French maid helped her into quie,
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-Terhune the first of the
guests With the strange feeling tina;
It was all a part of the enchantment.
she moved through the rooms. chatting
with the guests until dinner was an
nounced
Mrs. Thompson Terhune counted much
upon her prospects from the major
He was still hale and hearty. but she
lived In pleasurable anticipation of his
unexpected taking Off. 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 he placed
next to him at table the hostess
promptly changed the seating arrange
nents even while she planned that
Audrey should he dismissed the next
A9W with tqrv In tiat, ~ n pntt... G.