The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1913-01-16
NOT WHOLLY VANITY
Why Joe Purchased $40 Worth
OF Agony.
BY MARTHA M'CULLOCH-WIL-
LlAMS.


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 lit
tie uncertainty toward his desk.
Latimer sprang up, set chair for
her, and made to seat her, but she
shook her head. "Dassent-Pd never,
never have the courage to rise again, y.
she said, then holding out a small
loot 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
nne, 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 we're 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 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
1t! And / mean it-down to the
ground
Il wish l 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 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, IL
! 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, what's 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.
II keep letting him think so-snd
more-he'l 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 IL he
did"
You cant think I'd sell the story
even If knew it, unless he was will
ing?' Joe cried, trying to rise, but
falling back with 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 OF? Need money? How much? ?"
Joe turned away her head, fumbling
for her purse. Her eyes were 80 dim
she could barely see to open 1t, From
It she shook into her palm three cop
pers, dime, half dollar and a 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 storylet SO can get some
shoes"
u suppose you can go hungry" Lat.
inner interrupted CURLY. why won't
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 a free lance
IN New York town with one square
meal a 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 gallant smile, saying
Sorry we can't do business-must
hop along to some other Office"
We can do buslness-we have got
TO" Latimer 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 stun when you get round to it.
he said, looking carefully over her
head
She smiled at him, but shook her
head. saying az she pushed away the
money Johnny, don't you know
charity is demoralizing? Besides you
cant AFFORD it-any more than | can
afford to take II. Don't worry-my
rent IL paid TO the week-end-and I'm
going 20 dine with Parish-and a
chaperono Think I'll let him propose
TO me, then tell him ] cant say Yes.
unless he gives me the story and &c
makes roe independent"
II ! thought you meant that-Td
shoot him." Latimer growled.
From the door Joe called to him
saucily. I'm let you know how speed
in the morning. don't have TO pay
cash for my phone calls"
When she was out of hearing he
dropped his head on his desk a min
ute, swearing great silent oaths. Look