The Nezperce herald. (Nezperce, Idaho) 1900-1957, 1923-03-29

faithlessness. There they were, Sc
down In black and white, the othel
woman's letters, proof enough for {
divorce in any court Of any land
And a dull resentment, not unmixet
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
bling, washing, and never taking her
troubles to him when he came home
| at night.
| She had not lost her beauty, If Ii
| had grown more mature. And there
was no reason-thas 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 why?
Why? The question rose to her lips
insistently.
She knew who the other woman was
Miss Clinton, manager OF On office
force In a big corporation, business
woman by day, a gadabout at nights.
She was well known; she had had
cst.
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 Clintons apartment.
She knew that Jim had a business
appointment that night--a real onei
She had ascertained that beyond
doubt.
The apartment In which Miss Gin
and-walk-up kind. So Jim was not
keeping her In lnxuryl Summ0ning
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
m tr, uaS fhat uha 20
able like herself.
''I'm Mrs. Protheroe," said Molly.
Hostility fiared into Miss Clinton's
eyes. Come to make scene, sup
pose r. she said.
mo, just to take look at you"
said Molly
Miss Clinton opened the door reluc-
family. 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, you see, /
know everything, and / wanted to find
out what Jim sees in you that he
doesn't see in me-"
The other laughed uncomfortable
"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 it wear of with your
II 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 thatr
1--WE never been exacting," said Mol
ly humbly. I've 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 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 timer
Mostly, ! guess. Yon see, a man
doesn't want a servant when he mar
lies. He'd much rather come home to
owe, with dirty icebox, or sit down
% hash aud kisses than h0usewifely
neal. l guess you haven't learned
hat, Mrs. Protheroe"
NO. I've been fool" said Molly.
"Ah, well, that's the secret" Miss
Clinton answered. "You can't hold
owe by housework."
u guess you're the type of woman
he men go to-" admitted Molly. "But
maybe I've got secret, too" Ii
''What is it7"
"They always come baek--when
heir wives are big enough and brave
'nough and loving enough. And I'm
he type they come back to- They do
'et tired of hash and dirty iceboxes-
md Broadway dinners, too"
Maybe" answered Miss Clinton.
And Molly went down the stairs. | 4
'ondering the old, unanswered ques.
ION:
(which would really rather ber