The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1922-11-09
The
Other Woman
By MYRA c. LANE
'ssSsSSSssSSss sSSssssseSSeSsScSss
70, 1922, western Newspaper Union.I

uoWn IN Dlack and white, the other
woman's letters, proof enough for a
divorce in any court of any land.
And dull 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, and never taking her
troubles to him when he came home
at night.
She had not lost her beauty, II IL
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 1t 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 whyf
Whyf The question rose to her lips
insistently.
She knew who the other woman was
Miss Clinton, manager of an office
force in big corporation, a 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 business
appointment that night-a real onel
She had ascertained that beyond
doubt.
The apartment In which Miss Clin-
ton lived was of the press-a-button-
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.
I'm Mrs. Protheroe," said Molly.
Hostility fiared into Miss Clinton's
eyes. "Come to make q scene, I sup
pose !" she said.
"No, just to take look at you"
said Molly.
Miss Clinton opened the door reluc-
tantly. Look all you want to. then"
she answered.
Il haven't come here to quarrel with
you, Miss Clinton" Molly said. II Just
to find out-well, you see, l
know everything, and wanted to find
,ut what Jim sees In you that he
ioesn'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-
laps."
"Wore off, maybe"
"Will 1t wear of with your
Il don't know, nor care" answered
Hiss Clinton. "That's the beauty Of 1t.
That's what keeps us together. You
DOL, didn't you know that7"
i've never been exacting," said Mol
y humbly. i've worked for him
ghen we were poor shaved for nim."
The other softened. my dear, I've
lever shaved for man In my life, and
lever WILL" she said. II guess the
ruth is you're the typical wife, and
m the typical-well. you know"
"Are all men untrue to their wives
Vhen they've thought about them all
he timer"
Mostly. 1 guess. You see, a man
oesn't want servant when he mar
les. He'd much rather come home to
ove. with a dirty icebox, or sit down
o hash and kisses than a housewifely
neal. l guess you haven't learned
hat, Mrs. Protheroe."
mo. I've been a fool" said Molly.
"Ah, well, that's the secret" Miss
hinton answered. you can't hold
I'VE by houseworlh"
II guess you're the type of woman
he men go to-" admitted Molly. "But
-Inaybe I've QOt n sacrpt t0n"
"What is it?"
"They always come back-when
,eir wives are big enough and brave
nough and loving enough. And I'm
he type they come back to. They do
ct tired Of hash and dirty iceboxes--
nd Broadway dinners, too."
Maybe" answered Miss Clinton.
And Molly went down the stairs.
ordering the old. unanswered ques-