Wichita eagle., 1888-11-16

In tho Observation-Disclosures for
Months Rent.
At about the time that the lodger at
cents night down in Mulberry street was
getting over the Supplying effect of his last
potation Of stale beer and was groaning and
tossing end incidentally cursing and growl-
ing on his narrow strip of canvas as he
breathed over again for the hundredth time
the heavy, fetid air, another man got out Of
a cab on a cross street few steps from the
corner Of Broadway, babe the driver gruf
good night and crossed the walk to the tall
entrance of big building that lowered
far above him in the darkness, a
gloomy mass over the ornate architecture
and gay shop windows of the lower
stories, which the electric lights reached
high enough to illuminate. He touched an
electric button and moment later the door
swung open and sleepy Waterman admitted
the late conner, who said ''good morning"
tried TO whistle a snatch Of song, couldn't do
it and hummed It instead, and then sat down
with suddenness and severity that seemed
unnecessary upon the cushioned bench il the
elevator Whatever this man may have been
drinking its effect had not becn supplying
and the swift upward rush of the elevator
seemed to make his spirit even more cordial
and pleasant, for at the top he fumbled
through all his pockets for quarter, and not
finding it took dollar instead and tossed it
to the Waterman as he left the elevator.
! Down a long, uncarpeted corridor, with
many doors on either side, his step was
jaunty and light, with the least trile Of I'M
steadiness. His key, fitted into its lock after
a not unreasonable amount of fuInbling,
turned with soft click, and the door opened.
a gas jet burning low filed the room with
vague light, except where the bright glow
from the fire in the CRATE illuminated a semi
circular space in front of the mantel. The
night wind through a partly open window
stirred the curtains with a gentle rustic.
The draft was unpleasantly fresh, in spite OF
the fire, so he closed the window before he
threw of his overcoat on the nearest chair.
Then he turned up the gas and sat down in a
huge softly upholstered armchair that faced
the CRATE, stretching himself out with COM
Portable sense of ease and warmth.
AN ELEGANT ROOM.
The light brought out the size and furnish
ings of the room distinctly. 1t was corner
room, with one window on Broadway and
another on the side street 1t was small,
about fifteen feet square, and made still
SEldiIeI anu HlOIS coy DS the IuFLlSulill5 anu
decorations, which were of a dark tone, with
plenty of red and gold touches to punctuate
its richness. The walls were papered in
dark figure of greens and browns. nearly
covering a gilt ground The curtains were
brighter than the walls, but of material,
color, and figures that blended with them
well. On two sides portieres OF heavier and
richer material hung in archways leading to
nd nna 1or, IF
subject suited to the apartments of bachelor,
and with well known artists initials in tho
corner hung in the only broad space On the
wall that was left after the windows, arch
ings, and mantel were taken out. Several
smaller paintings of less merit hung about,
and a large and beautiful tinted etching of
Venus floating on q cloud stood upon an easel
at one side the mantel
After time he glanced at his watch and
pushed aside the portiere leading into another
room on the Broadway side, 1t was smaller
than the first room, but held a handsome
bookcase, an ornamental desk, long, COM
Portable lounge, small table covered with
cloth of embroidered felt, besides few chairs
and some other tri1es and a number of pic
lures on the wall The evening papers lay
neatly folded on the table. He picked up one,
then laying it down, pushed aside portiere
concealing door, which slid back easily into
the wall. His heels struck harshly against
the tile floor of the bathroom, and recalled to
him his slippers. He went back to the fire,
toasting beside which they lay, and, after
putting them on set his shoes i'll their place
and returned to the bathroom. 1t was small,
but finely appointed, and beautiied with
pleasing evidences of the painters skill such
as the old Pompeiians might have enjoyed.
Steam heat rendered it comfortable, even -
his slippered feet, and when be turned ;
faucet the warm water gushed out and
cloud of steam arose. He breathed its damp
ness gratefully for a moment, and then mod
Grating its temperature by turn Of another
faucet until it suited his touch, left it run
ming and returned across the two rooms and
through the portieres into the third, and on
the street side of the building a bed, with
q covering OF lace over red daintily laid upon
the quits, was its most conspicuous furniture.
This and the other furniture Of the room be-
fitted such q suite. The general effect OF its
decorations was lighter than that Of either of
the other rooms, but not SO much SO IS TO
oiIer contrast.
ENroyr-r r-IS RaTu