The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-10-14
NOT WHOLLY VANITY
Why Joe Purchased $40 Worth
of Agony.
BY MARTHA M'CUllOCH-W'I'
| LIAMS.

ed to latimer hall in, half out OF MS
door You don't want " be con-
structively guilty of cruel and unusual
punishment-that know" she ran
on, coming inside and moving q III
tie uncertainty toward his desk.
Latimer sprang up. set chair LOT
her, and made to seat her, but she
shook her head "Dassent-Id never
never have the courage to rise again.
she said. then holding out a small
foot in shoe still smaller. Johnny
do believe this isn't wholly vanity
the girl who sold them was hypno-
tist."
Where were you going to need
such fine fOOt-feathers?" Latimer in-
terrupted almost savagely.
The offending footfeathers were
fine. indeed-the latest cry of the
mode as to shape and stuff. At rest.
)oe'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" Lalimer ordered. and
tell me the whole story. You surely
have not been out with that Parish
gang again."
The shoes contradict you that S
just why suffer 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,
I.atimer exploded. See here. Joe,
you know I'm your big brother by
appontment-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 must make You under
stand promised wouldn't but
you are my other self
What's to understand l.atimer
interrupted.
Joe reached for his hand. The
truth" she said Il don't like tough
ways, nor people but have to make
/, a pretensc of it because you see. if
| get the story all my hard times
are over. I,eckwith himself has
promised H.
But what is the s,ory?" l.atimer
demanded.
10" put her lips almost upon his
ear, as she answered, What's be
hind the Norcwill divorce? Parish
knows you soc he's the only one
who dos Know. except the principals.
H. ' hnha Z lo OF me. in his way,
III | Keen LETTING him think 50 and
NOR c'h dfn TN me when he
knows What it viii mean.
Yea infant" l.atilucr Interrupted
%ar% sou can't lhiih Parish will
gire aNay his patrons secrets, even
for year beautiful eyes? Why if he
did
ioa cant THINK Id sell the story
oven II knew il, unless he was will
ing" Joe cried trying to rise, but
falling back with a grmace.
Latimcr took both her hands
That shows how fit you are for news
paper work. You cant and won't for
get that you're lady born-abOve
sncakng and sleuthing. and dirty pry
1 "a liz, (Nivn IL m child I ~
me send YOU home Tell me, how are
you OF? Need money? How much?'
Joe turned away her head. fumblng
for her purse. Her eyes were so dim
she could barely see to open it. From
il she shook into her palm three cop
pcrs, a dime, a half dollar and five
dollar gold piece. Behold my world
j. wealth she said trying to speak
gayly. And | cant spend the gold /
it's my christening money, you know
kept for luck buff only you'll
buy a storylct so | can get some
shoes"
i suppose you can go hungry" Lat
inner interrupted curtly why won't
YOU give up and go home? You know
you can marry Billy Mason"
Thank you | don't want Billy Ma
son would rather be Il free lance
in New York town with one square
meal week than roll round in the
Mason auto all the days of my life,
she cried, rising and shutting her lips
on groan Uncertainty balancing
she smiled a gallant smile. saying
Sorry we cant do business
hop along to some other Office"
We can do business-we have got
TO-" I.atimer said doggedly, pulling
some bills from his pocket and trying
to thrust them upon her Take it
just an advance, you know-you can
bring stuff when you get round to it,
he said, looking carefully over her
head.
She smiled at him, but shook her
head, saying as she pushed away the
money: Johnny, don't you know
charity is demoralizing? Besides you
can't afford it-any more than ! can
afford to take 1t. Don't Worrying
rent is paid to the weekend and I'm
going to dine with Parish-and a
chaperone. Think I'll let him propose
to me, then tell him can't say Yes.
unless he gives me the story and SO
rnakoa mo indenpndent
II l thought you meant that-rd
shoot him." Latimer growled
From the door Joe called to hin,