The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1908-04-28
AUDREY'S
kNIGH T.
By EPEs W. SARGENT.

and Audrey Sheldon, scanning witt
longing eyes. the wintry wastes. sighed
as she tried to picture the comfort
hidden by the gray walls.
1t was not really castle nor yet en-
chanted. but 1t had pleased Major
Kirkwood to have his home a copy Of
castle on the Rhine which he had
seen on one of his summer trips, ano
Audrey's imagination supplied the rest
The major was bachelor and sci
dom entertained on large scale, but
every night the lights flashed across
the glittering snow, apd 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 q
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-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 it
would show.
A few railroad maps were the only
wall decorations of the schoolroom, and
three hard wooden chairs, shabby
desk too old for Office use, 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 gage
ty 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-Terh
"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 SO hor-
ribly superstitious You simply must
pretend to be one Of the guests. No
one around here knows you. and it
will be all right"
'But l have nothing to wear except
the most simple frocks," said Audrey.
81 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 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-Terhune 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
AE-o r,hoy,,rcon T,arluno counted nuoh
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 be placed
next to him at table the hostess
changed the seating arrange
ments even while she planned that
Audrey should be dismissed the next
day with salary in lieu of 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-
was that her guest of hon
or might enjoy himself, Audrey exert
ed herself to be entertaining with such
good success that the major insisted
that Audrey should be brought over to
the castle for luncheon some day be-
fore her return to town.
Miss Sheldon unfortunately is re-
turning to town tomorrow" said Mrs.
Thompson-1erhune 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. at was such fun to mas
querader' she cried, with a little
laugh. 81 wonder what the major
would say could he know that my re-
turn to town in the morning was mere
~ a change to the nursery governess.
"You will go up to town in the morn
ing" was the quiet response. Il will
pay you a months salary instead of
the usual notice. l cannot have my
darling children in the charge of
person who so shamelessly pursues a
rich man."
The unexpectedness of the dismissal
was such shock that Audrey was too
dazed to argue against the charge.
She had nowhere to go, and the pitiful-
ly small sum she would receive would
not last more than two weeks. The
happy light gone from her eyes. she
CROPPED her way to her room, scarce
seeing through her tears.
There was no relenting the next
morning, and, with her few belongings
packed in the tiny trunk. she was driv-
en- to the station for the early train.
To her surprise the major was impa-
tiently pacing the platform in the rear
of the diminutive depot. He hurried
forward to assist her to alight but Au-
drey shrank from him.
L H.