Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1922-11-29
The
Other Woman
By MYRA C. LANE

(9. lsa2. Western Newspaper tnica.)

(Q9, 19tS, western Newspaper lnlCA.J
So this was the end!
Molly Protheroe stood looking In
dumb anguish at the proofs OF Jim's
faithlessness, There they were, set
down in black and white, the other
woman's letters, proof enough for a
divorce in any court of any land.
And dulf resentment, not unmixed
with curiosity, burned in her. Why
had Jim done this? Why had he
proved unfaithful?
She went over in her mind the seven
years Of her married life with him.
She had been so dutiful, so unquestion-
ing, Shaving for him, cooking, scrub
bing, washing, und never taking her
troubles to him when he came home
at night.
She had not lost her beauty, If 1t
had grown more mature. And there
was no reason-that was it--no rea-
son at all
She remembered the cynical informa-
tion given her by other disillusioned
married women. Ali men, they said,
were unfaithful. But Molly had never
expected it Of Jim.
She had already decided that there
SHOULD be no divorce, on account OF
Elsie. He was fond of the child, and
! she would bear her burden. E;& why?
Why2 The question rose to her lips
insistently.
She knew who the other woman was
Miss Clinton, manager Of an office
force in big corporation, business
woman by day, gadabout at nights.
She was well known; she had had
other affairs with other men.
Jim should never know Of her dis
covery. sMolly put back the packet Of
letters where she had found them.
She would not let Jim know. But she
meant to see this Clinton woman and,
quite sincerely, ask where she herself
had failed.
For those letters reflected Jim's, and
breathed passion that Jim had never
felt for her.
On the following evening, alleging
an engagement, Molly made her way
to. Miss Clinton's apartment.
She knew that Jim had business
appointment that nlght-a real one
She had ascerta1ned that beyond
doubt.
The apartment In which Miss Clin.
ton lived was Of the press-tl-button-
and-walk-up kind. So Jim was not
keeping her in luxuryl Suramoning
all her courage, Molly went up to the
top fat when the door opened.
Miss Clinton was pretty, there was
no denying that, and Molly felt oddly
touched to see that she was quite pass
able like herself.
'rm Mrs. Protheroe," said Molly.
Hostility fared into Miss Clinton's
eyes. "Come to make scene, l sup
pose!" she said.
mo. just to take a look mt you"
said Molly.
Miss Clinton opened the door reluc-
tantly. "Look all you want to. then. !"
she answered.
II haven't come here to quarrel with
you, Miss Clinton" Molly said. II just
wanted to find out-well, yol see,
know everything, and wanted to find
out what Jim sees in you that he
doesn't see in me-"
The other laughed uncomfortably
"Oh, Jim and met and found we were
meant for each other. guess that
covers everything"
"He thought that about me, per-
haps."
"Wore off, maybe"
"Will 1t wear off with you?"
II don't know, nor cape," answered
Miss Clinton. THAT'S the beauty Of It,
That's what keeps us together. You
fool, didn't you know that?"
s'I've never been exacting," said Mol,
ly humbly. "I've worked for him
when we were poor I slaved for him.
The other softened. "My dear, I've
never slaved for q man in my life, and
never WILL" she said. II guess the
truth is you're the typical wife, and
I'm the typical-well, you know"
"Are all men untrue to their wives
when they've thought about them all
the time?"
ssMostly I guess. You see, a man
doesn't want servant when he mar.
ries. He'd much rather come home tC
love, with o, dirty icebox, or sit down
to hash and kisses than q housewifely