The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-02-20
AUDREY'S
KNIGH 7.
By EPES W. SARGENT.
Copyrighted. 1903. by Homer Sprague.
ssees0eeaoOea .


longing eyes the wlntry wastes. sighed
as she tried to picture the comfort
hidden 10y the gray walls
1t was not really a castle nor yet en-
chanted but It had pleased Major
Kirk wood to have his home copy %
a castle on the Rhine which he nad
seen on one Of his summer trips. anu
Audreys Imagination supplied the rest.
The major was a bachelor aud 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 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 WIS 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-
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-Terhu
girls at salary so absurdly small
that Mrs ThompsonTerh 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 aud 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 We're 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 shaDh'
desk too old for office use, a folding
bed and a wardrobe completed the fur
nlshlng. 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
ty downstairs, where preparations were
being made for dinner party in honor
of Major Kirkwoods 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 II on the top of the
desk that also served as a 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. mpson-Terhune.
You must help me out Miss Shell
don" she said abruptly Il am in
most terrible plight That borrid 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 he one OF the guests No
one around hero knows You. and it
will be all right"
but | 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"
Il have some things that may tit.
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-
ploy ees, and Audrey knew better than
to object
She smiled to herself az the deft
French maid helped her into 4 quiet
gown of gray. Audrey WAS a fsvorite
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 the first OF the
guests With the strange feeling that
it was all part OF the enrhantment,
she moved through the rooms, chatting
with the guests until dinner WAS an
nounced
Mira. Thompson Terhnne counted much
upon her prospects from the major.
He was still hale and hearty, but she
lived In pe1surable anticipation OF his
unexpected taking on and she sadly
needed the money that would come to
her Mt his death.
His word was law with her, and
when he insisted that Audrey be placed
next to him Mt table the hostess
promptly changed the seating arrange
ments even while she planned that
Audrey should he dismissed the next
Nay with salary in lien OF a notice
Audrey, all Unconscious Of the ankle
ties OF her hostess. enjoyed herself to
the fun. and enjoyment transformed
the little face that had become so wan
and somber in the last few months
Knowing how anxious Mrs Thomp-
sou-Terhune was that her guest OF hon
or might enjoy himself. Audrey exert
ed herself to be enterta ming with such
good success that the major insisted
that Audrey should he brought over 10
the castle for luncheon some day be
fore her return TO town.
Miss Sheldon unfortunately is re-