The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1921-07-14
CONTINUED from page 6, column A.
lights at the next corner. That's


As I gazed forward, she drew her
hand from my grasp, and her form
Strengthened.
'sWhat am I to do when we arriveT
Merely be the attentive escort
but not too attentive, please. Have
you dined?"
'No. I was goiAg to ask you"
"You need not ask mel am fam
ished, and this place is really famous
for its meals"
Perond's was really underground; at
least you descended q broad pair Of
steps to attain its entrance, and the
glass in windows and doors fronting
the street was heavily draped, pre-
venting any view Of the interior from
without. What was overhead could
not be determined in the darkness,
my eyes merely discerning the out
lines of a tall building, without a
gleam of light showing anywhere
from top to bottom. The front Of the
restaurant, however, was brilliantly
lit, and a coIored man in uniform
promptly held open the door as we
began descending the stairs.
Within the vestibule a maid re-
neved US Of outside wraps, and thus
unencumbered we advanced through
open doors directly into the main
room. This was surprisingly large
apartment, filed with tables Of va
rious sizes and shapes, the majority
occupied by men and women, either
eating or drinking. Near the center
was q cleared space for dancing, but
at that moment unoccupied, While
against the farther wall, on a rather
high stage, two cabaret singers were
noisily entertaining the crowd. Alto
gether it was a stirring and attractive
scene, bearing to my mild no re-
semblance of any preconceived notion
of the underworld. I could have cas-
ily imagined that we had entered,
rather, the restaurant of an ultra
fashionable hotel the other side Of
Broadway.
Nor did our entrance create the
slightest interest, beyond awakening
the attention Of the head waiter, who
met US smilingly.
"a table for two, MsieurT'
"a booth, please; have you one
near the centerr' and I slipped bill
into his hand, which closed it instant
ly out Of sight.
"Ah, certainly; the very thing
Msieur. I viii show you. Francois,
the central booth for the gentleman.
All, see, Msieur-bien, tres bien"
It was indeed a coy spot, with the
heavy curtains held aside. A dtvan
Of soft plush across the end, a table
covered with snowy linen, and already
slistening with silver and glass, In
the center, and three exceedingly COM
Portable chairs.
"It is very fine, M'sieur," I said.
sQuite to my satisfaction. You might
lower one Of those curtains, If you
will. Yes, that is much better. Is
Francois our waiter?"
"Oui, Msieur; you would be servedr
The table de holt, Francois. These
dishes are ready-but, M'sieur, we
serve quickly whatever you wish"
He spread his hands expressively,
glanced swiftly about TO assure him.
self all was well, and backed out, still
politely bowling, leaving the attentive
Francois beside me, pad in hand. At
NV suggestion the lady gave the or
der, usirg discretion, thought, While
I supplemented with q bottle of wine,
in spite Of the energetic Ge::ative con-
veyed to me across the table. AS the
waiter departed surveyed my com
panion, realizing as never before how
extremely attractive she was. She
must have read something Of this In
my eyes, for her own smiled visit
fully.
.What is it you were thinking
about?"
perhaps I had better not tell"
Another secret? Well, then, an
swer this-what do you think OF
Perond's?'
Actually l am unable to realize
where I am," I answered honestly.
'sThe contrast from those dark streets,
suggestive of crime, to this brilliancy
is altogether too sudden. 1t has left
me dazed; my mind refuses to func-
tion."
ut affected me that way the first
visit. I could not convince myself OF
the true nature Of the place; 1t
seemed-well, altogether too respect
able. 1 always associated the under
world with roughness and poverty, po-
lice surveillance, and all that. But
look out there; it is like big hotel
dining-room after the play. Those
women-some Of them, at least-are
really elegantly dressed, and in excel
lent taste, and there is no more noise,
no more coarseness, than have wit
messed at the Waldorf. The men are
not bad-looking, either, do you think ?"
'Well, there are all grades here,
now that I look about; yet, as you