The Kenna record. (Kenna, Roosevelt County, N.M.) 190?-1924, 1912-10-18
NOT WHOLLY VANITY
Why Joe Purchased $40 Worth
of Agony.
BY MARTHA M'cULLocH-wIL.
LlAMs.

BY MARTHA M'cULLocH-WIL-
LlAMs.
Buy story, please, sir--a teeny.
weeny story" Josephine Mabin call
ed to Latimer half In, half out of his
door. you don't want to be con.
structively guilty of cruel and unusual
punishment-that l know" she ran
on, coming inside and moving a lit
tie uncertainty toward his desk.
Latimer sprang up, set a chair for
her, and made to seat her, but she
shook her head. "Dassent-Pd never,
never have the courage to rise again"
she said, then holding out small
foot in shoe still smaller, johnny
do believe this isn't wholly vanity
the girl who sold them was a hypno-
tist."
Where were you going to need
such fine foot-feathers?' Latimer in
terrupted almost savagely.
The offending foot-feathers were
fine, indeed-the latest cry of the
mode as to shape and stuff. At rest,
Joe's foot did look pretty in them
when she walked or tried to, her elias
tic instep became wooden, her pinched
toes were alternately dead or full Of
savage prickings
Sit DOWN." Latimer ordered, and
tell me the whole story. You surely
have not been out with that Parish
gang again?"
The shoes contradict you-thats
just why l suEer from them." Joe
said with something betwixt frown
and pout. Ten dollars worth OF
agony! Isn't that tough?"
Not as tough as the Parish gang"
Latimer exploded. See here, Joe,
you know I'm your big brother by
appointment-cut them out! / say
it! And / mean it-down to the
ground"
Il wish could" Joe said half un-
der breath, then more articulate:
"Johnny-I must make you under
stand. promised wouldn't-but
you are my other self"
What's to understand" Latimer
interrupted
Joe reached for his hand. THE
truth" she said. II don't like tough
ways. nor people-but have to make
q pretense of it-because you see, II
] get the story-all my hard times
are over. Beckwith himself has
promised It,"
But what is the storyP" Latimer
demanded.
Joe put her lips almost upon his
ear, as she answered. Whats be-
hind the Norowill divorce? Parish
knows, you see-he's the only one
who does know, except the principals
He-he thinks lot of me, In his way.
If l keep letting him think so-and
more-he'Il surely tell me-when he
knows what It will mean"
You infant!" Latimer interrupted
Surely you can't think Parish will
give away his patrons secrets, even
for your beautiful eyes? Why If he
did
"You can't think I'd sell the story
even If knew 1t, unless he was will
ing?" Joe cried, trying to rise, but
falling back with a grimace.
Latimer took both her hands
"That shows how fit you are for news
paper work. You can't and won't for
get that you're lady born-aboVe
sneaking and sleuthing, and dirty pry-
ings generally. Give 1t up. child. Let
me send you home. Tell me, how are
you on? Need money? How much?"
Joe turned away her head, fumbling
for her purse. Her eyes were so dim
she could barely see to open 1t. From
1t she shook into her palm three cop
pers. a dime. a half dollar and a five-
dollar gold piece. Behold my world
ly wealth" she said, trying to speak
gayly. And l can't spend the gold
It's my christening money, you know,
kept for luck. Buff only you'll
buy a storylet SO can get some
shoes"
Il suppose you can go hungry" Lat
inner interrupted curtly. why won't
you give up and go homer You know
you can marry Billy Mason"
>~-o~-oo-~~---~-~~-~o-~
Christianity h China.