A FATEFUL PROMISE.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 403, 18 February 1929, Page 1

A FATEFUL PROMISE.

CHAI’TKR I Twls the end of a perfect day. The sun had sunk in a golden glory behind the ruga* d hilltops. Scarcely had his rays faded from the western sky, when, in the east, the moon rose full orbed and shed her silvery light upon the city nestling under the hills.. But the evening was well advanced alien Mr Green rose from his seat in their pleasant sitting-room, laid aside his book, and. crossing the room, stood beeide his wife’s desk. She glanced up at him, smiling, and then resumed her writing. He fidgetted about, lifting one thing after another and then putting it hack. His obvious discomfort at length arrests his wife’s busy fingers, and bis words arrested her attention: “Do you know what I heard at the Club, to-day?” “Something that has disturbed you, 1 can tell,” his wife replied. “You have heard that Wilkins is giving a ‘Farewell’ to John Scott, w'ho is leaving for Otago University. Well, it is to he held at the Gaiety Cabaret, and our Geoff is to be one of the gueets.” “That is not surprising, is it? Geoff and Scott are friends since College days, and are members of the same football and tennis clubs. Bid you bear anything more?” “1 did, Mollie!” replied her husband. “Wilkins is a leader of the fast set, and this is to be their party. The girls from ‘The Bevels’ are to be there; it Is to be hectic time and

an all-night session. Surely, you will not allow Geoff to attend.” “Walter! Geoff is not a boy now', lie is 22, and must judge for himself.” “You do surprise me.’ said the sorely-tried man. “Bo you want Geoff to get in with that set?" “Do 1 want it?” said the mother, and even her husband started at the anguish in her voice. “Father, don’t drive him to it by opposing him now.” “I’d better get to bed For if lie comes in. I’ll be sure to speak my mind to him.” “A very' unwise thing to do, father. Goodnight.” Left alone. Mrs Green could not settle to her Interrupted writing. Better than her husband she knew the reputation borne by Wilkins, and from her own personal knowledge he deserved it all. She knew of his little cottage on the shores of a land-locked bay, and once she had rescued from his clutches a young and lovely girl tempted to her own destruction. Wilkins had never forgiven Mrs Green, and had told her lie would “get even with her sometime.” He had begun to cultivate Geoff, and the boy was flattered by the notice of the br.lliant society man. years his senior. Here w r as a way to have revenge upon the woman w'ho had frustrated him, and only Geoff’s mother knew how' he w'as drifting from his old moorings. The click of the gate latch roused her, and then the key turned in the lock and her boy’s step came down the hall. ‘ Wliere’s Dad?’’ was Geoff’s first query.

“Gone to bed, young man. Just you look at the clock. Have you had supper?” “Oh, yes I called at Winnie’s and had it there. Your grandson w'as awake and testing his voice. Nothing wrong with his lungs. Win says he gets more like his 1 nclc Geoff every day." Under his surface lightness she detected the nervousness. “Mum,” he broke out, “Wilkin's has invited some of John Scott's friends to farewell him to morrow night, and he wants me to go with them.” “Where to?” said hiL mother. “To the Gaiety Cabaret. Got an> objection?” The fighting note w'as in his voice. “I’m not in lov* with the place. “You really are too straight-laced Mother. It’s time you broadened out a bit. We are to he a select party, and can be trusted to behave ourselves.” Should she tell her hoy w'hat his father had heard. She decide not. but a w’ord of warning she must give him. “Urn glad to hear you are to be so select. But Wilkins has been a leader in some hectic doings.” “Don’t listen to gossip, Mum! We’ll be as sober as monks,” laughed Geo'f. “I hope so!” But I don’t like cabaret dances. Wine is apt to flow very freely there.” “Oh! a glass or two does no harm. They laugh at me because I never touch it.” “They would hardly expect your mother’s son to be anything hut an abstainer.” she said.

Some inner sense seemed to warn her that her boy was to be tested. Placing her hand lightly upon Ms shoulder, she faced him squarely, and said. “Boy, 1 want a promise from you?” “What is it?” “Promise me to drink nothing but water to-morrow night.” “But why, xMother?” said Geoff. “There are soft drinks, why only water? Can’t you trust me?" “I could trust you anywhere, son, while your brain is unclouded. But I would not trust an arch-angel whose brain was fuddled with strong drink. Promise me, Geoff, because 1 ask you to.” Geoff hesitated. Mrs Green went on: “This is your first visit to a Cabaret; I want you to see it with clear eyes and a sober brain.” Still no reply. Geoff loved his mother deeply. But Wilkins and his set had twitted the boy about being “tied to his mother’s apron strings.” For a few minutes the issue was in doubt, then love conquered. “All right, old lady, I promise. I’m strictly on the water waggon to-morrow night. Are you satisfied?” “Perfectly, my son. You’ve never broken a promise. Thank you for giving me your word. And now. goodnight” “Goodnight, Mother.” Then, as he closed his bedroom door, he called out. “Don’t sit up for me to-morrow’ night.” (To be Continued I.