Waterbury Democrat., 1903-02-04
Toe Bride,s U17derSfz1dY
By JULIA II. KNIGHT.

FTH HE wedding day was fixed for
 June, the month of roses, and the great country house, with it's dusky wvocdlands and outlying hills, was alive and astir with preparations for the momentous occasion. It was the first break in the family of girls, and Daisy, the bride-eIect, the prettiest and most winsome of the happy-hesrt- ed circle; the envied of all for the strange chance that had transformed her uneyentful life from prose to poe try and romance.
 She had met her fate the preceding winter while on pleasure trip to the gay metropolis, and after short woo ing had yielded her girlish love and loves young dream was for the mo- ment superseded by the demands of fashion and time-honored custom; the house was invaded by dressmakers, the trousseau, dear to the feminine heart, was discussed in all it's details, the bright spring days all too short for the work in hand
 One young girl, an artist of the needle, made her home with them for the time, and under her fairy fingers the wedding finery blossomed as by en- chantment. She was a sad, silent young thing, and seemed i'll at ease in the midst of the merry circle, who sought to win her confidence and share their pleasures in careless girl-fash- ion
 Nan, the madcap, dubbed her the brides understudy, for when Daisy was busy or tired, the dressmaker found her a capital substitute. In- deed, so far as height, proportion and sylph-like grace went, the two girls might have been counterparts: but there the resemblance ceased, for Daisy's wild-rose beauty, as the dewy freshness of the dawn, had no affinity with the rare, haunting charm that ciung, as perfume to flower, to the pale, poetic face, the wistful dark eyes of the stranger.
 Actresses and singers all have an u4derstudy," quoth saucy Nan, sswhy not brides as well? So if anything fails at the critical moment, Daisy, Miss Milton can step into your shoes, also your clothes, which fit her to per Hection; and every one knows a trous- Beau is paramount to all else in we'd @ing.D
 So the bride's understudy she re- snained to the careless girls, who kept &he great house alive with their laugh ter and pranks through the sunny spring days, when nature was awaken ing in green lane and byway, and the robins thrilling their glees and mad Eigals across the blossoming orchard Bands.
 One day the lover came from New York on a flying visit, and took them Hby surprise. Led by the sound of mer- Ty voices he found his way to the sew fng-room, where the girls were con- gregated, and Daisy, arrayed in the latest creation, blue and white diaphanous muslin, like bit of sum- ner sky and cloud drift, paced up and Gown for inspection.
 In the furry and excitement of the nnoment, the chatter of many voices. Miss Milton shrank in her corner, pale as ghost, and the flash of startled Anfotion on the lovers face, as his eye fell upon her, passed unnoticed. Later when the girls had dispersed to help Daisy exchange her finery for more suitable garb, the lover and Miss Mill ton were alone for a few moments, 3ace to face in the silent room.
 Irma you here?' he said in tones of bitterness. "What strange fatality brings us together again, and at such Q time2"
 Lester, forgive me- answered the girl, as she held out her hands with a pleading gesture. 'Tt is my misfor- tune, not my fault that am here. I never dreamed that you were her low sr. must work"
 The man took step nearer, the fire faded from his glance, look of pity and bewilderment softened his hand some face.