, 1910-06-02

I tne ground moor were shops or all
kinds, which catered only to the
Astruria's patrons. There we're also
on the premises a bank, a brokers'
Office, a hairdresser, and a postal tele-
graph Office. A special feature was
the garden court. containing over 3d.
600 square feet of open space. and
tastefully laid with palms and
flowers. Here fountains splashed and
an orchestra played while the patrons
lounged on comfortable rattan chairs
or gossiped with their friends. Up on
the sixteenth floor was the cool roof
garden, an exquisite bower of palms
and roses artificially painted by a
famous French artist. with its rech-
erche restaurant, its picturesque
tziganes, and its superb view of all
Manhattan island.
The Astruria was the last word in
expensive apartment hotel building.
Architects declared that it was as far
as modern lavishness and extrava-
gance could go. Its interior arrang'
ments were in keeping with its ex-
ternal s%plendor. Its apartments We're
of noble dimensions, richly decorated.
and equipped with every device, new
n old, that modern science and
builders ingenuity could suggest. Tha5
the rents were on a scale with the
grandeur of the establishment goes
without saying. Only long purses
could stand the strain. 1t was a ia
yorite headquarters for Westerners
who had Struck 1t rich" wealthy
bachelors, and successful actors and
opera singers who loved the limelight
on and off the stage.
Sunday evening was usually exceed
ingly quiet at the Astruria. Most of
the tenants we're out Of town over the
weekend, n as the restaurant ana
roof garden were only SHINY patron
!zed. the elevators ran less frequently.
making less chatter and hustle in cor
ridors and s~tairways. Stiffness reigned
everywhere as If the SOLDERING in1u-
nee of the Sabbath had invaded even
this exclusive domain of the unholy
rich. The Uniformed attendants, hav-
'ng nothing to do, yawned lazily in
he deserted halls. Some even in
lulged in surreptitious maps in cor
lers, confident that they would not
BE disturbed. Callers were so rare
hat when some one did enter from
he street, he was looked upon with
>uspicion.
1t was shortly after seven o'clock
ne day following Mrs. Jeffries' re-
option when a man came in by the
main entrance from Broadway, and
approaching one of the hall boys, in
,s.al g., NJ D-I,. IT-1-,o~l
The boy gave his interlocutor an
.npudent stare There was something
bout the callers dress and manner
~hich told him instinctively that he
'Sas not dealing with a visitor whom
re must treat respectfully. No one
iivines a mans or woman's social
status quicker or more unerringly
han a servant. The attendant saw
at ono that the man did not belong
10 the class which paid social visits
to tenants in the Astruria. He was
rather seedy looking. his collar was
not immaculate. his boots we're thick
and clumsy, his clothes cheap and i'll
fitting.
rs Mr.. Underwood in?" he de-
manded.
Not home,' replied the attendant
'~nsolently, after a pause. Like most
hall boys, he took a savage pleasure
IN saying that the tenants were out.
The caller looked annoyed.
He must be in" he said with a
frown. 81 have an appointment with
him"
This was not strictly true, but the
bluf had the desired effect.
Got an appointment! Why didn't
rou say so at once?"
Reaching lazily over the telephone
switchboard, and without rising from
his seat, he asked surlily:
What's the name?'
Mr.. Bennington"
The boy took the transmitter and
spoke into It:
"A party called to see Mr.. Under
wood"
There was a brief pause, as if the
person upstairs vas in doubt whether
to admit that he was home or not.
Then came the answer The boy
looked up.
He says you should go up. Apart
ment 1876. Take the elevator"
IN his luxurious appointed rooms on
the fourteenth floor, Robert Under
wood sat before the fire putting ner-
yously at a strong cigar. All around
him was a litter of ob1ets dart, such
as would have filled the heart OF any
connoisseur with joy. Oil paintings
in heavy gilt frames. of every period
and school, Rembrandts, Cuyps, Rugs
daels, Reynoldses, Corots, Henners.
some On ~easels, some resting on the
floor; handsome French bronzes,
dainty china on Japanese lockwood
tables, antique furniture, gold en-
broidered clerical vestments, hand
painted screens, costly oriental rugs,