Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1922-09-14
The
Other Woman
By MYRA c. LANE


lOAAE1SI oLOOu 4DOhiAAS Al
dumb anguish at the proofs of 5im'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 a dull resentment, NOT Cn,nixed
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. and never taking her
troubles to MIN when he came home
at night
She had not lost her beauty, If it
had grown more mature. And there
was no reason-tha5 was it-no rea-
son at all
She remembered the cynical informa-
ton given her by other disIllusioned
married women. Ali men, they said
were unfaithful. But Nelly 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. But why?
Why? The question rose to her lips
insistently.
She knew who the other woman was
Miss Clinton, manager of an Office
force in a 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. Molly 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 a business
appointment that night-a real one
She had ascertained that beyond
doubt.
The apartment In which Miss Clin-
ton lived was of the press-a-button-
and-walk-up kind. SO Jim was not
keeping her in luxuryl Summoning
all her courage, Molly went up to the
top fiat 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.
"Tm Mrs. Protheroe," said Molly.
Hostility fared into Miss Clinton's
eyes. "Come to make a scene, / sup
pose!" she said.
mo, just to take look at you,"
said Molly.
Mss Clinton opened the door reluc-
family. Look all you want to, then"
she answered.
Il haven't come here to quarrel with
You, Miss Clinton" Molly said II just
wanted to find out-well, you see,
know everything, and / wanted to find
out what Jim sees In you that he
doesn't see in me-"
The other laughed uncomfortably.
"0h, Jim and met and found we were
meant for each other. / guess that
covers everything"
she thought that about me, per-
haps"
''Wore off, maybe"
"Will it wear off with your"
81 don't know, nor care" answered
Miss Clinton. that's the beauty of 1t.
That's what keeps us together. You
fool, didn't you know that?"
"I've never been exacting," said Mol
ly humbly. "rve worked for him
when we were poor / shaved for him."
The other softened. my dear, I've
never shaved for man in my life, and
never WILL" she said. 81 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 timer"
Mostly, ] guess. You see, man
doesn't want a servant when he mar
ries. He'd much rather come home to
love, with dirty icebox, or sit down
to hash and kisses than housewifely
meal. l guess you haven't learned
that, Mrs. Protheroe."
mo. I've been fool" said Molly.
"Ah, wen, that's the secret" Miss
Clinton answered. You can't hold
love by homework"
Il guess you're the type Of woman
the men go to-" admitted Molly. but
maybe I've got a secret, too."
"What is itg'
"They always come back-when
their wives are big enough and brave
enough and loving enough. AND Tn
the type they come back to. They do
get tired Of hash and dirty iceboxes-
and Broadway dinners, too"
Maybe" answered Miss Clinton.
And Molly went down the stairs,
bordering the old. unanswered Ques-
ton:
(which would really rather be?"