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

A BASKET Ot FISH.
81 shall be home to dinner at seven,
sharp" said Neil Rossiter, giving a
caressing pat to the fair head of his
wife, as she bent her head over the
button she was sewing on his glove
"And you might have a bit of fish,
Mamie; soles, or small turbot, if not
too dear"
She looked up surprised.
"But why, Neil? You are not fond
of either. Have you asked anyone to
corae home with you? Do tell me, for
COOK hates to be taken at what she
calls an amplush."
We'll, dear, met Bosley at the
ExcL-.nge yesterday" Mr.. Rossiter re-
piled, rather hesitatingly. eve
hadn't seen each other for months.
Both were too pressed for time to say
more than How dye do?' so l asked
him to dine with US this evening; then
we can have cigar and chat-busi-
ness chat, you ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.
rjrs. Rossiter snapped the thread she
had been winding around the button,
and, without replying, walked away
to restore her needle and thimble to
their places in her workbox. But her
husband followed her to bestow part
ing caress.
neutrality-suspicious.; don't stop in
doors this lovely morning. If it is as
fine tomorrow I'll try to get away
from the city early enough to
take you out as far as Battersea Park !;
they say the flowers there are in their
prime. How is it, Mamie, you never
have liked poor Bosley? He is one of
the steadiest and most sensible fellows
of my acquaintance, and admires you
immensely. The last time he was here
but shan't make you vain by re-
peating what he said"
II do not actually dislike Mr.. Bos-
ley" said little Mrs. Rossiter. dimpling
and blushing. Il believe he is all you
call him, only-only-"
You lave prejudiced yourself
against him, and do not know Why"
cried Mel, finishing her sentence for
her.
"Yes, 7 am afraid it is prejudice"
she admitted, ''but l do know why. 1t
is because the sight of him always re-
wives unpleasant recollectIons.
Her husband laughed although he
looked annoyed.
"And all this because BosIey hap
pened to be with me ut St. LeOnards
before our marriage, at the time /
offended you by taking two walks and
spending one wet afternoon with pretty
Mrs. Ferguson"
"You firted with her desperately,
sir, [ am sure you did; and it was Mr.
Bosley who introduced you to her,
although he must have known you
and were on the eve Of an engage
r2ent."
when Mrs. Ferguson met us in the
!, hite Rock library, and asked him
point-blank to do so, how could he re-
fuseP But is it any use going over
this old story? You knew then as you
know'now, that love you with all my
heart and soul. Isn't it high time
you forgot all my fancied sins against
you?"
cit is not so easily done with Mrs.
Ferguson living within a stones throw
Of US, and crossing my path so fire.
quently," retorted Mamie sticking the
needle into its cushion with a vicious
stab.
'tIf you are going to make q griev-
ance of that we will remove to the
other side of London; and if am asked
why, what shall | say? That nv
wife is Enthusiastically, causelessly
So"
81 am not jealous, sir" Mrs. Rossiter
protested. sit is only that II hate
the woman, and l want to forget her,
but something is always occurring to
prevent it."
There was no reply, for Neil Rossiter
had snatched up the mended gloves
and was strIding away with his lips so
sternly compressed that his wife re-
pented and ran after him, and would
not let him go till she had won forgive
ness for her foolish speeches.
He was easily conciliated, even to
lingering awhile in the garden for the
best rose it contained to be plucked
and pinned in his button-hole Mamie
accompanied him to the gate, stopping
under the clematis trained over it, to
watch him till he turned the first
corner.
But few steps, and Neil came back
to say, with tender anxiety:
Don't forget to have a walk. You
ICED not hinder yourself to go shop
ping. will call at the new fshmon.
gers in High Street before l take an
omnibus.
With this understanding they parted,
and Mrs. Rossiter went slowly into
the house, vexed with herself for the
weakness she had betrayed.
1t was a fact undeniable that pretty
Mrs. Ferguson, although blessed with
IN excellent husband, to whom she was
,ttached, was one of those women
whose love of admiration leads them
into all sorts of follies.
But have no reason to fear her
now" Mamie told herself. exultingly.
Il do not believe that she could OBJ
tain any influence over Neil, fasci-
mating though everyone acknowl-
edges her to be; and l really will not
annoy him with any more silly allu-
sions to the past. l will be so civil to
Mr.. Bosley this evening that Neil will
see | have quite conquered my pre-
judices."
Mrs. Rossiter did not forget her hus-
bands injunction. and after a colloquy
with her cook, and filling the vases
with fresh flowers, and arranging the