The Monte Vista journal. (Monte Vista, Rio Grande County, Colo.) 1888-1921, 1912-10-19
NOT WHOLLY VANITY
Why Joe Purchased $40 Worth
OF Agony.
sY MARTHA M'cULLocH-"'l'
llAMS.

Buy a story. please, sir-a teeny'
Eeeny story" Josephine Mabin cali
I'd to Latimer half in. half out OF MS
| door. You don't want to be con-
,tructively guilty of cruel and unusual
punishment-that l know" she ran
Oh, coming inside and moving III
lie uncertainty toward his desk.
| Latimer sprang up, set a chair LOT
her, and made to seat her, but sue
'hook her head. "Dassent-rd never,
never have the courage to rise again.
,he said, then holding out small
loot In shoe still smaller. johnny
10 believe this isn't wholly vanity
the girl who sold them was a hypno-
list"
Where were you going to need
such fine foot-feathers?" Latimer In
.errupted almost savagely.
The offending foot-feathers were
ane, indeed-the latest cry OF the
mode as to shape and stuff At rest
Joes foot did look pretty in them
when she walked or tried to, her eias-
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 | suffer from Them" Joe
said with something betwixt frown
and a pout. Ten dollars worth Oh
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! l say
it! And / mean it-down to the
ground"
Il wish l could" Joe said half I'M
der breath. then more articulate:
JOHNNY must make you under
stand / promised / wouldn't-but
you are my other self"
Whats to UNDERESTIMATE Latimer
interrupted.
Joe reached for his hand. THE
truth" she said. Il don't like tough
ways, nor people-but | have to make
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 story?" Latimer
demanded
Joe put her lips almost upon his
ear, as she answered. Whats be.
hind the Norowill divorce? Parish
knows, you see-hes the only one
who does know, except the principals
He-he thinks lot Of me, in his way
II l keep letting him think so-and
more-hell surely tell me-when he
knows what 1t will mean"
you infant!" Latimer interrupted
Surely you can't think Parish will
give away his patrons secrets, even
for your beautiful eyes? Why II he
did"
You can't think I'd sell the story
even II knew 1t. unless he was will
lng?" Joe cried, trying to rise, but
falling back with a grimace.
Latimer took both her hands
THAT shows how fit you are for news
get that you're lady born-above
sneaking and sleuthing, and dirty pry
ings' generally. Give it up, child. LIE,
me send you home. Tell me, how are
you off? Need money? How much?
Joe turned away her head fumbling
for her purse. Her eyes were SO dim
she could barely see to open it. From
1t she shook into her palm three cop
pers, dime, a half dollar and five
. dollar gold piece. Behold my world
ly wealth" she said, trying to speak
gayly. And | 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
you give up and go home? You know
you can marry Billy Mason.
Thank you'll don't want Billy Ma
son-l would rather be free lane,
In New York town with one squar,
meal week than roll round In tn,
Mason auto all the days OF my life,
she cried, rising and shutting her lip
on a groan. Uncertainty balarcin,
she smiled gallant smile saying
Sorry we cant do business-mus
hop along to some other office"
I'VE can do business-we have go
to-" Latimer said doggedly. pullini
some bills from his pocket and tryln,
to thrust them upon her. Take it
just an, advance, you know-you cal
bring stun when you get round to II,
he said looking carefully over be