The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-01-17
Et'ening Story
Yincent's Vamp.
BY r. RAY BAKER

Yincent's Vamp.
BY r. RAY BAKER.
1--WE see too much of each other,
Vincent
Vincent Ellsworth's eyes opened
wide!
what do you mean" he demanded.
They sat in his roadster in front of
Grace Watkins's home. He had just
brought her from the department
store, where she had a position as
head bookkeeper. 1t was a 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 re-
mmark that caued him surprise.
II mean," she explained, you and
I have been going together ever since
we were kids, until it's got to be a
habit. never had another fellow, and
wrong idea We think we care a lot
for each other. but perhaps rs be-
cause we never had a chance to care
for anybody else.''
The motor had been running free.
but now he shut it off.
This is not exactly pleasant sur
prise, Grace. 1t never entered my head
you might care for somebody else.'
st can't say that do" she return
ed. THAT isn't the idea. I ought
to have an opportunity to care for an
other man, and you should have the
same chance with other girls. Well
tire of each other il we keep on this
way. Let's call it 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"
l Vincent was gIum. but he shrugged
his shoulders, got out of the car. walk
ed around to the other side and OPEN
ed the door for her.
VERY well. We'll do it-because we
wish it,,
She went into the house and he went
down the street at such a rapid rate
corner leaped frantically in a variety
of directions.
Vincent headed for the club. When
he entered the lounging. room a
strange sight me his gaze. A number
of club members were gothered about
some amusing incident, for they were
laughing 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 table, and
was smoking pipe.
Good gracious," Vincent gulped.
How did that girl get in here?"
The other young men spied him.
Come on, Vincent" cried one. Join
the merry thronG." And he was escort
ed to the center OF it.
Madame T." said another of the
group. let me introduce Mr.. Ellis
WORTH"
Madame z blew a cloud OF smoke
toward the ceiling, took her feet from
the table, and smiled dazzingly on Vim
cent.
"Ah. Vincent said the madame;
my old friend Vincent" and Vim
cents hand was wrung in a very firm
clasp. You don't remember little Paul
little Paul WenkeI!-eh!'
Vincent stared hard.
you can't be-
"Sure am" said the madame. Vim
Paul-al dressed up and nobody to
take me7to the place want to go. You
see, I've become great female i'm
personator on the vaudeville stage. The
great is taken from the programs. I've
come home for a couple of weeks-first
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 experiences for the boys
while waiting for some one to appear
with nerve enough to be my escort ana
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 it won't affect you that way"
won't it, tho?" jibed in one of the
others. you don't know what case
Vincent has"
This brought up a rather unpleas-
ant topic. Vincent hesitated, turned
it over in his mind. then declared sud
denly:
in front. Come on"
Grace Watkins came weeping into
the presence of Arabella Grant, who
lived next door.
why the tears?" inquired Ara
bella, laying aside her r novel on,aa e,
think he's the horridest thing in the
world. He's getting himself vamped."
"W-h-a-t2" said Arabella. whats
he doing?"
When Grace could control her
emotions she explained:
Vincent and / decided to see less of
each other. Half an hour later 1 was
down town getting supplies for dinner,
when who should drive along the
street but Vincent; and in the car with
him--in the place where I always
have sat--was IA regular vampire.
with painted cheeks and eyes that
devilish. that's what.
81 was on my way home, when back
came Vincent with his vampire. They
were smiling so sweetiy. and Vincent
lifted his hat SO graciously to me. and
I saw the vamp ask him who I was
and then they went out OF sight.
r. II met several girs, and how they
laughed, especially that Lulu Stanton,
who has tried repeatedly to cut me
out with Vincent. I hadn't been home
ten minutes when I happened to look
out of the window and see Vincent sail
past-with his vampire. How ! hate