Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1903-05-14
TIE Brides
VnderSfudY
BY JULIA N. KNIGHT.

i June, the month Of roses, and the
great country house, with its dusky
woodlands and outlying hills, wa.
alive and astir with preparations fol-
the momentous occasion. 1t was the
first break in the family of girls. and
Daisy, the bride-elect, the prettiest
and most winsome Of the happy-heart
ed circle; the enyied 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 a pleasure trip to the
gay metropolis, and after a short WOO.
ing had yielded her girlish love and
consent to an early wedding And now
/ 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ment superseded by the demands OF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
chung, as a perfume to a flower, to the
pale, poetic face, the wistful dark eyes
Of the stranger.
Actresses and singers all have an
understudy," quoth saucy Nan, swhy
not brides as well? So If anything
fats at the critical moment, Daisy,
Miss Milton can step into your shoes,
also your clothes, which fit her to per-
fection; and every one knows trous-
seau is paramount to all else in a we'd
ding"
So the brides understudy she re-
manned to the careless girls, who kept
the 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
rigals across the poisoning orchard
lands.
One day the lover came from New
York on a flying visit, and took them
by surprise. Led by the sound of mer-
ry voices he found his way to the sew
ing-room. where the girls were con-
gregated, and Daisy, arrayed in the
latest creation, blue and white
muslin, like bit of sum
mer sky and cloud drift, paced up and
down for inspection.
In the furry and excitement of the
moment, the chatter OF many voices.
Miss Milton shrank in her corner, pale
as a ghost, and the flash Of startled
emotion on the lovers face, as his eye
fell upon her. passed unnoticed. Later
when the girls had dispersed to help
Daisy exchange her fnery for more
suitable garb, the lover and Miss Mil
ton were alone for a few moments,
face 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
a time2"
"Lester. forgive me-" answered the
pirl. as she held out her hands with
pleading gesture. at IL my misfor-
tune. not my fault that ] am here. !
never dreamed that you were her low
er. I must work"
The man took a step nearer, the fire
faded from his glance, look of pity
and bewilderment softened his hand
some face.
"Irma-you working for a livelihood
here among strangers, you pooF, pale
and struggling. what does il mean?
Whatever your fault, however much
I have suffered. l did not desire this.
Lester" faltered the girl, after
Won left me, one misfortune followed
another. father failed and died, my
home was shattered. and | cast adrift
upon the world. have suffered and
through no fault of my own"
aNo fault?" holly. "Irma, why did |
leave vou-tell me. child?n
Lester" and the wistful eyes met
his bravely. "for a mad, headstrong
jealousy without cause or reason, for
pride that refused all explanation, for
lack of faith in a love that had never
failed YOU. You cast me of without
a word. went abroad for many years,
left me TO my fate"
"Irma." and he caught her hands in
an eager clasp. IF this be true. what
is heavy enough for me
TO bear. who have condemned you