The Washington times., 1922-08-22
THE SECOND WOMAN
A LITTLE STORY OF A PRETTY INTRUDER
Maria LuttreIl-

"THEN a woman has had
wv three babies within five
w years. she Is not likely to
have enough surplus energy to
want to combat the wiles OF jazz
ing flapper who goes forth on q
husband snatching expedition.
All OF which sounds not a bit
like the simple life OF the little
mountain trimmed Tennessee town
where Anne Buford lived content.
edly until Lou Marshall arrived to
teach a kindergarten class.
Now, Lou was not the story
book variety of flapper. Her long
hair was smoothly coiled. She did
not affect sport clothes nor gaily-
clocked hose, nor any rakish hats
that have the allure of youth. She
dressed modestly. had a soft, ap-
pealing voice. Joined the Sunday
school in the First Methodist
Church the first Sunday she was
In town, and IL was not three
weeks until she was teaching the
infant class.
Doting mothers looked approv-
fngly at her and set her up as
an example to their wayward Off
spring who had been away to
college and had learned so many
things that had not been set down
in the catalogues.
Anne Buford was fluffing the
curly brown hair OF her eldest
born. preparatory to sending her
to kindergarten. while the second
little girl waited impatiently in the
doorway. Phil, Anne's handsome
young husband, was slipping q
new white leather belt around n
fresh Palm Beach suit.
II declare, Phil. you are good
10 take the children to school this
hot weather and then go back to
get them. We certainly have ad.
tusted all OF our domestic prob
lems, Anne laughed as she gave
little Anne final pat. You're a
dear husband to help me with the
babies, but, then, Of course. as
millions OF mothers have suggested
TO their respective husbands.
they're as much yours as they are
mine"
1t was a month after that when
Anne heard the disquieting rumor
that II was not filial duty alone
that made Phil Buford rush to Kin.
dergarten and Sunday school with
his two little girls, but that he was
impelled by the age-old instinct OF
sex attraction.
1t had never occurred to her that
Phils mind would stray from the
narrow marital track. -.
The gate clicked. She looked
through window. Lou Marshall,
In immaculate white linen, was
coming up the walk. Anne smiled
to herself when she thought how
she had boasted to Phil that Lou
had not waited for her to call, but
often dropped in to see her.
Anne grabbed a powder puff and
busted her pretty little nose. Then
she answered the door bell, the
nursing baby at her breast, her
face nicely camouflaged with it's
usual welcoming smile. Come
right In" She looked anxiously at
the trees bending In a sudden
strong wind. "why, there's going
to be a storm! I'll have to run to
call the children. They're playing
in the sand. Do sit down, and will
you hold the baby Just a minute?"
Lou took him rather gingerly.
She wasn't particularly fond Of
getting her crisp frock rumpled
up. Anne ran through the kitchen
and down the back steps, calling
the little girls. The heel Of the old
house slipper she was wearins
caught on a splintered plank. She
went down In a little moaning heap
One or the little girls rushed into
the house to summon Lou. "Quick!
Comel Mammals falled down the
steps. She's hurted-badr' .
a klnd.hearted neighbor answer.
"a I,ou's call OF distress, The doc
tor came, Phil rushed home from
the office.
Anne forgot her domestic prob.