Carroll County democrat. (Huntingdon, Tenn.) 188?-1971, 1921-03-04
Vincent's Vamp
By R. RAY BAKER


I'VE see too much Of each other,
Vincent"
Vincent ElIswOrth's eyes opened
vide.
what do you mean2" 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 a position as a
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 remark
that caused him surprise.
Il mean" she explained, "you and
have been going together ever since
we were kids, until it's got to be a
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"
II can't say that do" she returned.
SHAT isn't the idea. l 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 II we keep on this way.
Let's call It of for a while. Then, II
we've satisfied ourselves that we were
made for each other, wen resume
relations"
"But, Grace"
"Please don't object" she insisted.
"Tm 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 rapid
rate that several pedestrians at the
next corner leaped frantically 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 rensnine
clothes, and had beautiful pink cheeks,
and fluffy hair done up fashionably,
and two feet resting on a table, and
was smoking pipe.
"Good graciousl" 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 es-
cOrted to the center of it.
Madame e." said another of the
group 'let me introduce Mr.. ELS
worth"
Madame 2 blew cloud Of smoke
toward the ceiling, took her feet from
the table, and smiled dazzlingly on
Vincent.
"Ah, Vincent" said the madame; |
"my old friend Vlncent;" and Vincent's
hand was wrung In a very firm clasp. |
"You don't remember little Paul-lit-
tie Paul Wenkel-eh?"
Vincent started hard.
"You can't be-"
"Sure l am" said the madame. 'T'm
Paul-aIl dressed up and nobody to
take me to the place where want to
60. You see, I'VE become 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 thought I'd |
surprise them, so / liked 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. Ali |
the fellows are afraid they'll get in
bad with their girls, but of course it |
won't affect you that way"
"Won't 1t. 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
II oyerln his mind. then declared sud-
denly:
"rm 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 tears7" inquired Arabella,
laying aside her novel.
"It's vlncentr'. Grace sobbed. II
think he's the horridest thing in the
world. He's getting himself vamped."
"W-h-a-t2" said Arabella. What's
he doing?"