Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-01-12

COulIIlS UdCh at lQlu-uaI III the pest o.
spirits, and prepared to enjoy her
simple luncheon.
But as she drew near her own house
she began TO feel doubtful whether
Neil had remembered his promise t.
call at the fishmonger's. He was APP
to be somewhat oblivious of sucl
promises as he turned his face city
ward. Then the business of the day
became paramount in his mind to the
exclusion of all else.
Anyhow, it would be just as well t.
walk as far as Dorey's and satisfy her
self that the order had been given,
and accordingly thither Mamie went.
MIR. Dorey, who, red-faced and
hoarse with much talking, was serv.
ing half dozen customers, and civ
ing half a dozen orders ali at once, Ier
huge eel slip back into the pan
where it had been wriggling. and came
to make his bow to the charming little
lady who paused at the door
HAS Mr.. Rossiter called and ordered
some fish,"
Yes, ma'am, he have. I've just
put it into basket myself. Their,
it is, ma'am; it shall be sent off in
stanter."
Instinctively Mrs. Rossiter glanced
in the direction to which he wa.
pointing, and saw that the label on til,
basket, though in her husbands writ
ing, was not addressed to herself. Sht
drew her hand across her eyes and ther
looked again.
No, it was not her fancy; it was no
the freak of disordered brain; there
in the bold, decided characters she
knew so well, she saw the words:
Ordered by n. Rossiter. To bt
sent to Mrs. Ferguson, II, Gledbervil
Terrace, st. Adams Road"
Afraid to speak, lest she should burs
into tears OF rage, Mamie Rossitel
hastily quilted the shop and walked
away, not caring in what direction she
went, till she found herself consider
able distance from her own home.
81 will never 90 back to itw she
vehemently declared, in the frs
tumults of her passion. ''Neil ha;
been deceiving me; keeping up al
intimacy with this woman; sending
her presents, and paying her visits, o
course; which |, poor trusting sim
pleton, have never suspected Oh
how could he be so cruel, so wicked
| could die and escape my misery.
cannot live with him now; and how
can [ ever be happy again?"
Then she determined to 90 direct tC
her widowed mother, whose home was
at Carlisle: and was on her way tc
Euston Square before she recollecteC
that such q journey could not be
undertaken without money. and hel
purse was in the pocket of another
dress.
III spite of her unwillingness to re.
turn to the house where, till now, she
had dwelt in such happy security, 9
loving, and apparently beloved wife
it was an absolute necessity. More.
over, she was beginning to feel very
feminine longing to upbraid he1
teacherous husband, and convince him
of his guilt before she babe him
farewell for ever.
But she had wandered so far away,
that when she reached her own door,
the servant who opened it cried out in
alarm at her CHASTITY looks and ex.
hausted condition.
With the cooks assistance she was
supported to a sofa, where she lay
struggling with faintness and hysteria,
till the frightened women began to ask
each other if it would not be prudent to
fetch the nearest medical man.
This, however, Mrs. Rossiter con-
trived to find voice enough to forbid.
She had walked too far and lost her
self, she told them. She would have
some tea, and go and lie down.
Leaning on the stout arm of the
housemaid, she dragged herself up
stairs to her own room, submitted to
be undressed and to swallow nostrum
prescribed by cook, then begged to be
left to herself.
''When Mr.. Rossiter comes in tell
him [ have wretched headache, and
am trying to sleep it off. On no &C.
count must he disturb me-"
To enforce this command she slid
off the bed as soon as her servants left
her, turned the key in the door, and
slipped the bolt in the one
leading to the dressing-room where
Neil kept his evening-suit and shaving
apparatus, and enjoyed his morning
additions.
This done, she lay down again, not
to sleep, but to rest her aching limbs,
and gather strength for the long
journey of the morrow.
Presently she heard her husbands
voice, and by the fail of other foot
steps besides his own she knew that
Mr.. Bosley had accompanied him.
AS they entered the house Neil
laughed at some remark made by his
friend, and his wife shivered at the
sound.
Then there was sudden hush,
broken only by the shriller tones of
Sarah, who, in Il half-whisper was ex-
planning why her mistress did not APP
pear.
The next moment Neil Rossiter was
turning the handle Of his aifes door,
and tapping, but very softly, for adj
mission.
After waiting awhile, he went away,
satisfied that she was sleeping, and
Mamie heard him cautiously moving
about his dressing-room. not whistling
or humming some lively tune as was his
wont, and suddenly recalling how
happy they had been together, she
buried her head in her pillows, and
sobbed till the bed shook with the
violence of her emotion.
Mr.. Bosley, seeing that his host was
rendered very uneasy by the illness OF
his wife, had the good sense to make
his stay brief one. AS soon afta
the cloth was cleared as he could
decently do so, he pleaded an appoint
menI, ana departed, promising TO call
on the morrow, when he hoped to find
Mrs. Rossiter quite recovered.
Not at all sorry to be rid of a guest
he was not in the spirits to entertain,