Middletown transcript., 1921-10-10
The MALE VAMP
Bv PAULINE ALEXANDER.

ROgerby was known as "Ine Male
Vamp" at Brownyale College. Tai,
with broad shoulders and a slender
waist, blond hair and features similar
to those Of the young men in collar
ads, his popularity among the far
co-eds at Brownyale was unQuestioneo.
AS to his standing among the other
male students at the college, this may
be representated by the figure 70"
A week before the senior prom"
the great social event of the season
at Brownyale, group OF the fello"s
gathered in Packard's room for q
pOw-wow. Packard's cousin Arthur
from Cleveland, who had just arrived
for a short visit in the East, sat on
a stool on the edge Of the little circle,
saying not a word but taking IN the
conversation with an amused twinkle
in his dark brown eyes. Arthur was
slender, almost girlish, and his face
was without the sign Of beard.
"It's a darn shame" cried Harold
Indignantly. '"This Miss Rogerby
will grab off all the fair young things
as per usual and US poor guys with
the humble but honest faces will be
left out in the cold or have to dance
with the chaperons."
There was a murmur Of grumbleo
assents from the others. And so the
conversation went until suddenly
Arthur got up from his stool and
brushed into the group.
"Ive an idea, fellows" he said quiet
ly, "and if you want to put something
over on this Rogerby I'm willing to
help. You see I've just finished put
ting on an amateur show in Cleveland
in which l played female role. On
hunch l packed the costume with my
other things and it's right here in this
room. Now Rogerby doesn't know me
from a hole in the ground. Tip him
off. Packard that your be-yute-i-ful
cousin Gladys, or Anemol or Gym
thia, or whatever you like, has come on
for the prom and then drop few hints
on how wonderful are those eyes and
those lips and that nose."
AS the little group caught the idea,
there were wild dances, period OF
! ck-pounding and Apache yells.
"And we'll all pretend we're crazy
about you,". put in Everett, serious
appearing chap. "That's the idea"
| nodded Arthur; make Rogerby think
I'm a pippin and sure to be the belle
| of the ball."
So well did the members Of that lit
tie group do their work, that before
the night Of the prom Rogerby almost
begged Packard for an introduction to
his ''fair" cousin.
"Irene" Perry was certainly stun
ming leekiHg girl" as "she" stepped
gracefully onto the ballroom floor
proudly escorted by "her" cousin,
Ralph. At once several Of the young
men nearby moved towards the two
smiles wreathing their faces.
But Rogerby was quicker than all
the rest. His anxiety brought guard.
ed smiles to the faces OF the other
young men, all Of whom had been let
in on the joke. Rogerby was the
last word in "class." He bowed his
most charming bow when Packard
trying hard not to laugh introduced
my cousin, Irene Perry" And then
offering his arm, Rogerby calmly ap
propriated "the belle Of the ball"
A few minutes later the orchestra
crashed into the opening bars Of jazz
and Rogerby and his partner swung
into the latest steps.
do you know" said Rogerby, in 9
tender whisper which had thrilled
many a feminine heart before, "yor
dance divinely." 1t was after his
seventh dance with "Irene" He was
leading her" to a secluded corner
where he had offered to bring ices
"Irene" dainty touched moist fore
head with a bit of damp lace ant
smiled a shy little smile that wen1
straight to Rogerby's susceptible hear
Pm glad you think so," Irene mur
INJURED. And Rogerby boldly pressed
the hand he held in his.
The young men Of Brownyale wer'
having the time Of their lives, witt
| Rogerby out Of the way, and if, b.
chance, their fair partners flashed ,
look Of reproach towards Rogerby
there were whispers from their mall
companions, such as keep your eye
on Rogerby and his jane, that's all :
or "Wait for the grand finale"
When the orchestra tuned up TO
the last dance on the programme ther
was an air Of expectancy in the bil
hall, apparent to all but Rogerby
) With smile aimed to ''kill," he leane,
towards Miss Irene" "Shall W
/ drift through heaven for the las
) time this EVENING"" he asked poetical
, ". An answering smile was enough
: He clasped "her' in his arms and the
"drifted" into the dance.
They neared the center Of the hal
Suddenly Irene" gave a little gas
: and seemed to falter.
And then while Rogerby gasped i
horror, "Irene" pulled off ''her' wi
; Of pretty, dark hair and laughed, yes
openly and loudly laughed at him
The laugh was echoed and re-echoe
through the hall from scores Of throats
"Well, WELL" said the voice Q
Harold. "the male vamp' has bee
vamped by a male" But Rogerb,
didn't hear He had fed ingloriously