Oxford Democrat., 1921-05-24
Vincent's Vanp
By R. RAY BAKER

4 By R. RAY BAKER s
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(@ 1871. By Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate,
I'VE see too much Of each other,
Vincent"
Vincent Ellsworth's eyes opened
wide.
"What do you meanT he demanded.
They sat In his roadster in front Of
Grace Watkins home. he had just
brought her from the department
store, where she had q position as a
bookkeeper. 1t was 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.
II mean" she explained, you and
have been going together ever since
we were kids, until it's got to be a
habit. I never had another fellow. and
you never had another girl. It's the
wrong idea. We think we care lot
for each other, but perhaps it's be-
cause we never had chance to care
for anybody else."
The motor had been running free,
but now he shut 1t of.
'.This Is not exactly a pleasant sur
prise, Grace. 1t never entered my
head you might care for somebody
else"
II can't say that I 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. Wen tire
Of each other If we keep ON this way.
Let's call 1t off for q while. Then, If
we've satisfied ourselves that we were
made for each other, wen resume
relations"
"But, Grace"
SPlease 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 q rapid
rate that several pedestrians at the
next corner leaped frantically In q
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 q 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 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 T." said another Of the
group. '1et me introduce Mr.. ELS
worth"
Madame 2 blew a cloud Of smoke
toward the ceiling, took her feet from
the table, and smiled daxzlingly on
Vincent.
"Ah, Vincent" said the madame; ;
my old friend Vincenti" and Vincent's
hand was wrung in very firm clasp.
"You don't remember little Paul-ut-
tie Paul Wenkel-ehf"
Vincent started hard.
"You can't be"
1Sure am," said the madame. I'm
Paul-all dressed up and nobody to
take me to the place where want to
90. You see. I've become q great fe-
male impersonatOr on the vaudeville
stage. The great Is taken from the
programs. I've come home for cou-
pie Of weeks-first time In six years
to visit the folks, and I thought I'd
surprise them, so I hiked up here to
the club and put on my costume. and
I've been relating some Of my expert
ences 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 it
won't affect you that way"
wont 1t, though" jibed in one of
the others. "You don't know what a
case Vincent has,"
This brought up rather unpleas-
ant topic. Vincent hesitated. turned
1t over in his mind. then declared sud-
denly:
I'm 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 Vincent" Grace sobbed. II
think he's the horridest thing in the
world. He's getting himself vamped."
"W-h-a-t?" said Arabella. whats
he doing"
When Grace could control her emo
tions she explained:
"Vincent and ! decided to see less
Of each other. Half an hour later !
was downtown getting supplies for
dinner, when who should drive along
the street but Vincent; and In the car
with HMM the place where always
have sat-was IA regular vampire,
with painted cheeks and eyes that
devilish. that's what.
81 was on my way home. when
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