The Mt. Sterling advocate. (Mt. Sterling, Ky.) 1890-current, 1922-02-23
THE MALE vAMP
BY PAULINE ALEXANDER.



waist, blond hair and features similar
to those of the young men in collar
ads, his popularity among the fair
goods at Brownyale was unquestioned.
AS to his standing among the other
male students at the college, this may
be representated by the figure 90"
A week before the senior prom"
the great social event Of the season
at Brownyale, a group of the fellows
gathered In Packard's room for
pow-wow. Packards cousin Arthur,
from Cleveland, who had just arrived
for short visit In the East, sat on
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.
Its 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 Vas a murmur of grumbled
assents from the others. And so the
conversation went until suddenly
Arthur got up from his stool and
brushed into the group.
"Pve an idea, fellows" he said quiet
ly. land IL 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 played female role. On a
bunch packed the costume with my
other things and it's right here In this
room. Now Regerby doesn't know me
from a hole In the ground. Tip him
off. Packard that your be-yute-i-ful
cousin Gladys, or Anemone, 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
back-pounding and Apache yells.
"And Wen all pretend we're crazy
about you" put In Everett, serious
appearing chap. That's the idea,"
nodded Arthur; make Rogerby think
I'm 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 a stun
ming looking "girp 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,
my cousin, Irene Perry" And then,
offering his arm, Rogerby calmly APP
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
tender whisper which had thrilled
many a feminine heart before, 'you
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 a moist fore
head with bit of damp lace and
smiled shy little smile that went
straight to Rogerby's susceptible heart
"Tm glad you think So" Irene muir
INJURED. And Rogerby boldly pressed
the hand he held in his.
The young men Of Brownyale were
having the time Of their lives, with
Rogerby out of the way, and If, by
chance, their fair partners flashed
look Of reproach towards Rogerby,
there were whispers from their male
companions. such as keep your eyes
on Rogerby and his jane, that's all"
or "Wait for the grand finale"
When the orchestra tuned up for
the last dance on the programme there
was an air Of expectancy In the big
hall, apparent TO all but Rogerby.
With smile aimed to "kill." he leaned
towards Miss Irene" "Shall we
drift through heaven for the last
time this EVENING"" he asked poetical-
ly. An answering smile was enough.
He clasped "her" in his arms and they
"drifted" into the dance.
They neared the center Of the hall.
Suddenly 'Irene" gave a little gasp
and seemed to falter.
And then while Rogerby gasped in
hsrror, 'Irene" pulled on "her" wig
Of pretty, dark hair and laughed. yes,
openly and loudly laughed at him.
The laugh was echoed and re-echoed
through the hall from scores Of throats.
"VVell we'll said fha voioa Of