The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-01-24


that OF recent years have sprung up
In New York TO provide luxurious
quarters regardless OF cost for those
who car afford to pay for the best,
none coald rival the Astruria In size
and magnificence. Occupying an en-
tire block In the very heart OF the
|. residential district. II took precedence
= over all the other apartment hotels of
the metropolis az he biggest and
most splendldly appointed hostelry OF
Its kind In the world. II was, indeed.
small city In Itself. II was not nee
essary for It's fortunate tenants TO
leave II unless they were so minded.
, Everything for their comfort and
pleasure was TO be had without taking
The trouble TO 60 out OF doors. On
the ground floor were shops Of all
kinds. which catered only to the
Astruria's patrons. There were also
on the premises a bank. a brokers
ONCE. a hairdresser. and a postal tele-
graph Office. A special feature was
the garden court. containing over 30.-
200 square feet OF open space, and
tastefully laid out with palms and
nowers. 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
Wgarden. an exquisite bower of palms
and roses artincially painted by q
famous French artist. with its rech.
erche restaurant. its picturesque
txiganes. and its superb view of all
Manhattan island
The Astruria was the last word In
expensive apartment hotel building
Architects declared that II was as far
"a modern lavishness and extrava-
sance could 60 Its interior arrange
nents were In keeping with its ex.
tarnal sp,endor. It's apartments were
OF noble dimensions. richly decorated,
and equipped with every device, new
and old. that modern science and
builders ingenuity could suggest That
the rents were on a scale with the
grandeur OF the establishment goes
without saying. Only long purses
could stand the strain. II was IA
vorite headquarters for Westerners
who had struck II rich" wealthy
bachelors. and successful actors and
opera singers who loved the iimelight
y on and Of; the stage.
Sunday evening was usually exceed.
ingly quiet at the Astruria. Most of
the tenants were out of town over the
weekend. and as the restaurant ana
roof garden were only slimly patron.
!. tied. thA elevators ran less frequently,
making less chatter and hustle In cor.
ridors and stairways. Stiffness reigned
evsrywhere as II the SOLDERING inilu-
ence Of the Sabbath had invaded even
this exclusive domain OF the unh0ly
rich. The uniformed attendants hnv.
ing nothing to 90, yGwned lazlly In
the deserted halls Some even In.
|. drlgec In surreptitious maps In cor
ners. confident that they would not
be disturbed. Callers were SO rare
That when some one did enter from
the street. he was looked upon with
suspicion.
II was shortly after seven O'Clock
the. day following Mrs. Jeffries' re-
ception when a man came In by the
main entrance from Broadway, and
approaching one Of the hall boys, in
quired - Mr. Robert Underwood.
The boy gave his interlocutor an
impudent stare. There was something
about the callers dress and manner
which told him instinctively that he
, was not dealing with visitor whom
ne must treat respectfully. No one
arfa
status Qnicber OF more unerringly
than servant. The attendant saw
at once that the man did not belong
60 the class which paid social visits
20 tenants In the Astruria. He was
rather seedy looking. his collar was
not immaculate. his boots were thick
and clumsy. his clothes cheap and Ill.
hitting.
is Mr.. Underwood in!" he de-
m ,ded.
Not home" replied the attendant
fnsolently. aftnr a pause Like most
hall boys. he took savage pleasure
In saying that the tenants were out.
The caller looked annoyed
He must be in" he said with a
frown. II have an appointment with
him"
This was not strictly true. but the
BLUM had the desired effect
Got an appointment Why didn't
you say so a 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 Il:
"A party called to see. Mr.. Under.
wood"
There was b-isf pause. as n the
person upstairs was In doubt whether