The Press., 1921-07-07
Vmcents . amp
Rg R. RJE n leER

"What do you mean ?a'she demanded.
 They sat in his roadsteri in front of Grace Watkins home. He had just brought her from the department store, where she had position as bOokkeeper. ItsWas cold day in late fall, and when they talked vapOr formed before their mouths. Grace was preparing to get out of the car, when she suddenly made. the remark that caused him surprise.
 Il mean" she explained, "yOu and I have been going together ever since we were kids. until it's got to be habit. | never had another fellow, and you never had another girl. It's the wrong idea We think we care a lot for each other, but perhaps it's be- cause we never had a chance to care for anybody else."
 The motor had been running free, but now he shut 1t off.
 "This is not exactly a pleasant sur prise, Grace. It never entered my head you might care for somebody else"
 ''I can't say that dO," she returned. That isn't the idea. I ought to have an opportunity to care for another man, and you should have the same chance with other girls. We'll tire of each other if we keep on this way. Let's call 1t off for a while. Then, if we've satisfied ourselves that we were made for each other, we'll resume relations"
 But, Grace"
 Please don't object" she insisted. "I'm satisfied it's the proper course to pursue. Let me have my way, Vim cent.''
 Vincent was glum, but he shrugged his shoulders, got out of the car, walked around to the other side and opened the door for her.
 "Very well, we'll do it-because you wish it,"
 She went into the house and he went down the street at such 8 rapid rate that several pedestrians at the next corner leaped franticaIly in a variety of directions.
 Vincent headed for the club. When he entered the lounging room & strange sight met his gaze. A number of club members were gathered about a per son who apparently was relating some amusing incident, for they were laugh ing uprOariOuSly.
 Vincent blinked In amazement, for the person in the center of the group was attired in fashionable feminine clothes, and had beautiful pink cheeks, and fluffy hair done up fashionably, and two feet resting on a table. and was smoking a pipe.
 Good graciOus!" Vincent gulped. How did that girl get in hereT'
 The other young men spied him.
 Come on, Vincent" cried One "JOin the merry thrOng." And he was es- cOrted to the center of 1t.
 Madame F." said another of the group, "let me introduce MT. Ells- worth"
 Madame z blew a cloud of smoke toward the ceiling, took her feet from the table, and smiled dQzzlingly on Vincent.
 "Ah, Vincent" said the madame; "my old friend Vincent" and Vincent's
 
 You don't remember little Paul-lit- tie Paul Wenkel-ehr'
 Vincent started hard.
 "YOu can't be" "Sure I am," said the madame. "Tm Paul-al dressed up and nobody to take me to the place where I want to go. You see, I've become a great fe- male impersOnatOr on the vaudeville stage. The great is taken from the programs. I've come home for a cOu- pie of weeks-flrst time in six years to visit the folks, and I thought I'd surprise them, so hiked up here to the club and put on my costume, and I've been relating some of my expert enees for the boys while waiting for some one to appear with nerve enough to be my escort and drive me around to call on my various relatives. All the fellows are afraid they'll get in bad with their girls but of course 1t won't affect you that way"
 Wont it, though" jibed in one of the others. "YOu don't know what a case Vincent has,"
 This brought up a rather unpleas- ant topic. Vincent hesitated, turned it over in his mind, then declared sud denly:
 "Im your man, Paul. The cars out in front. Come on"
 Grace Watkins came weeping into the presence of Arabella Grant, who lived next door.
 "Why the tears?" inquired Arabella, laying aside her novel.
 "It's Vincentw Grace sObbed. "I think he's the horridest thing in the world. He's getting himself vamped."
 "W-h-a-t?" said Arabella. What's he dOing?"
 When Grace could control her emo- tiOns she explained:
 "Vincent and 1 decided to see less of each other. Half an hour later l was downtown getting supplies for dinner, when who should. drive along the street but Vincent; and in the car with him-in the place where always have sat-was a--a regular vampire. with painted cheeks and eyes that Were-Were deviliSh, that's what.
 ''I was on my way home, when back came Vincent with his vampire They were smiling so sweetly, an,. Vincent lifted his hat sO, graciously to me, and saw the -yamp ask him who was-and then they went out of sight. T met several girls, and how they especially that Lulu Stanton, who has tried repeatedly to cut me out with Vincent. hadn't been. home ten minutes when happened to look out of the window and see Vincent sail past-with his vampirei How l hate that woman! could scrape all the paint off her face if I had her here" Arabella, who had been looking out l the window, suddenly exclaimed, | Good gracious, Grace. You're going to have the chance. Vincent just drove |