The Red Cloud chief., 1912-10-03
NOT WHOLLY VANITY
Why Joe Purchased $40 Worth
of Agony.
6Y MARTHA M'cULloch.WiL.
llhMS.

GU W -itlmeT ualI tn nalI out OL HE
door. You don't want to be con-
structively guilty OF cruel and unusual
punishment-that ! know" she ran
on. coming inside and moving q lit
tie uncertainty toward his desk
Latimer sprang up, set chair for
her, and made to seat her, but she
shook her head. "Dassent-I'd 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 foot.feathers were
dne. indeed--the latest cry Of the
mode as to shape and stun. 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." Latirner ordered. "and
tell me the whole story. You surely
have not been out with that Parish
gang agatn?"
The shoes contradict you-thats
Just why I suffer from them." Joe
said with something betwixt frown
and a pout. Ten dollars worth Of
agony! Isn't that fought"
mot as tough as the Parish gang"
Latimer exploded. "See here. Joe.
you know I'm your big brother by
appointment-cut them out! say
1t! And I mean it-down to the
ground"
Il wish I 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"
whats to understand" 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 keep letting him think so-and
more-he'll 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
ing?" Joe cried. trying to rise. but
falling back with a grimace.
Latimer took both her hands
"That shows how At you are for news
paper work. You cant and won't for
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 OF? Need money? How muchf'
Joe turned away her head, fumbling
for her purse. Her eyes were 80 din
she could barely see To open 1t. From
It she shook into her palm three cop
pers, q dime, half dollar and q five
dollar gold piece. Behold my world
1y wealth." she said, trying to speal
gayly. And I can't spend the gold
it's my christening money. you know
kept for luck. Buff only you'll
buy . storylet 30 can get some
shoes"
II suppose you can 90 hungry" Lat
inner interrupted curtly. "Why won
you give up and 90 home1 You know
you can marry Billy Mason"
Thank you'll don't want Billy Ma
son-I would rather be q free lane,
In New York town with one squar,
meal q week than roll round in tn,
Mason auto all the days Of my life.
she cried. rising and shutting her lip,
ON q groan. Uncertainty balancing
she smiled . gallant smile. saying
Sorry we can't do business-mus
hop along to some other Office"
I'VE can do business-we have 20
to-" Latimer said doggedly. pullinl
some bills from his pocket and tryinl
to thrust them upon her. take it
Just an advance. you know--you cal
bring stun when you get round to It.
he said. looking carefully over he
head.
She smiled at him; but shook he
head. saying as she pushed away tn
money: Johnny, don't you know
charity is demoralizing? Besides 20,
cant afford it-any more than ! ca
afford to take II. Don't worry-m
rent is paid to the week-end-and In
going to dine with Parish-and
chaperono Think IL let him propos
to me. then tell him can't say Yes
unless he gives me the story and @
makes me independent"
III l thought you meant that