WARNED, YET WRECKED.

White Ribbon, Volume 35, Issue 412, 18 November 1929, Page 10

WARNED, YET WRECKED.

CHAITER 111. Later on in the evening Jack stood alone in the entrance hall. For a short time he ha<J surrendered his fair companion to another partner. Many Kiris would have been only too willing to be his partner, but Jack was not a society boy, and deep within his consciousness was a feeling that this brilliant scene was but the froth upon a pool, w hose waters were not so clear and pure as the waters of life should be. The training of years, the heredity of ages, could not be lightly cast aside When directly under the spell of his fair charmer, this feelinng slumbered, but when alone he was conscious of a feeling of deep repugnance. The dance was over, and he moved aside to allow a group of men to pass by. One whispered low to him, "Come on, old chap!' He followed them to the door, and as they passed out a tall figure whispered. "You’ll find it in tie third car along there.” Bewildered, Jack wondered what was to be found there. Too soon he knew. Drinking in cabarets had been drawn into the limelight lately, and proprietors were keeping a sharp look out for any such breaches of the law. Therefore. thirsty gents, who wanted alcoholic refreshment went to the friendly car for their supply. Already its effect was apparent in the idle babble, the sparkling eye, the inane giggle. Returning to the hall. Jack recalled some words he had heard his mother speak. "It is not only in Trohibition America that the law is broken; in our own l>ominion the licensing law is openly flouted, especially the clause forbidding the sale to young people." Maude was ready for the next dance with him, and happily the time passed, until Maude suggested it was time for her to leave. Too well she knew the orgy such scenes were wont to end in. and she had no min ! for Jack to see the stark, naked tragedy that underlay these brilliant surfaces. While awaiting her return from the dressing room, Jack heard a voice raised in protest He entered a side room. Upon a couch sat Wa’ter Fisk, and on his knee, her arms around his neck, was a dainty girl. Roth had been sampling the winecup freely, so freely, indeed, that they had lost all sense of propriety, and the young maiden, who in her sane senses would have scorned to allow any familiarity, under the debasing influence of strong drink was behaving without re-

serve, or even decency. But the voice f of protest came from an inner room, J and on entering Jack saw a young i couple, the man obviously intoxicated, < was trying to caress his companion, who ] was struggling for freedom. It was , Elsie Bilker, an old schoolfellow, who, < on catching sight of Jack, said, "Oh, ] Jack, take me home from this.” ; "Oh! no you don’t,” said her com- » panion, ‘ I am your escort.” "You’re not tit to escort any girl,’ said Jack. The youth began to bluster. "Now,” said Jack, "don’t any disturbance und land yourself in the Police Court. That won't make you popular here.” Jack's sensible words acted as a cold douche, and partly sobered, he released his companion, who left the room with Jack. "What’s in that room?” said Jack. "Oh! they have cocktails hidden there, and the boys take their partners in for a drink.” "I thought you were a teetotaller, Elsie,” he said. "S*o I was.” she replied, "hut one does get laughed at, anu so 1 just take a drop sometimes, not to look peculiar. "Well, you’d better not do that In future, particularly in scenes such as these.” "You’re right. Jack. I won’t. Can I come home with you? My escort is clearly Incapable.” "Yes: get ready.” As Elsie left him. he joined Maude, as she emerged from the cloak room. He

xpluinej to her about Elsie, and ttaude, though inwardly annoyed, out - vardly yielded quite pleasantly. They lropped Elsie at her home, and having bidden Maude a linßerins farewell. Jack lrove home. So ended his first introiuction to a cabaret. “The end of a terfect day,” murmured Jack, and with i smile, lie added, “Not quite perfect; »ven In Eden the serpent lurks amid the flowers.” (To be Continued.)