which has made such a sad wreck of my once pure and happy life,
for, when I entered dancing school, I was as innocent as a child and
free from sin and sorrow, but under its influence and in its association
I lost my purity, my innocence, my _all_, but I know that God has
forgiven the sin which is sending me to my early grave, where I shall
soon be forgotten by all earthly friends.

"Do not grieve for me. I am leaving this dark world for a bright and
happy one where sin and sorrow are unknown. Mother is waiting for me
there and I am not afraid to go."

We spoke of a hope that she might yet recover, but she only closed her
eyes and shook her head slowly.

"No," she said, with considerable effort, "I shall never leave this room
alive, never see the green hills of home, never see my father's face,
but tell him not to mourn for me, I shall be happy in the arms of
Jesus."

"Is there nothing I can do for you?" I asked. "Yes," said she faintly,
looking earnestly into my face, "Yes, there is one thing; that which I
had hoped I might live to do myself. Promise me that you will do that
and I shall die content. Promise me that you will go before the world
and speak out a warning against the awful dangers of the dance hall, and
try to save young girls from the sin, disgrace and destruction dancing
has brought upon me."

I made a solemn promise before God that her request should be complied
with.

The dying girl showed unmistakable signs of pleasure at having my
faithful promise.

She pressed my hand and said in a voice scarcely audible, "You have seen
ball-rooms as they are, my friend, and there is a great and good work
before you. May God bless you in it. I seal your promise with death,"
and before I could speak she was dead and her soul had winged its flight
to a heaven of love and peace, where weary hearts shall find perfect
love and perfect justice--where not man, but God, judges his children.

I know the man who was the perpetrator of the crime which was the cause
of this sad death.

He, to-day, instead of being hung for murder, as he so richly deserved,
is a leader in society. His name often appears in the social columns of
the daily papers of Los Angeles, as the leader of some fashionable
dancing party or Kirmess.

He has been the winner of several prizes in dancing, in fact, is an
elegant dancer and is wealthy. These facts gain for him admission to
whatsoever society he chooses to enter.

Think, ye parents who