Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1912-04-04
CHAPTER v.

among the many nuS0 cdTdVdnSaT1eS
that of recent years have sprung up
in New York to provide luxurious
quarters regardless of cost for those
who can afford to pay for the best,
none could rival the Astruria in size
and magnificence. Occupying an en-
tire block in the very heart of the
residential district, it took precedence
the metropolis as the biggest and
most splendidly appointed hostelry of
its kind in the world. 1t was, indeed,
a small city in itself. 1t was not nee
essary for its fortunate tenants to
leave 1t unless they were so minded.
Everything for their comfort and
pleasure was to lie had without taking
the trouble to go 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'
office, 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 out 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 it's 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 arrange
ments were in keeping with it's ex-
ternal splendor. 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. 1t was a ia
vorite headquarters for Westerners
who had STRUCK it 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 were out of town over the
weekend, and as the restaurant and
roof garden were only SHINY patron
lied, the elevators ran less frequently
making less chatter and hustle in cor
ridors and stairways. Stiffness reignet
everywhere as If the SOLDERING influ
ence of the Sabbath had invaded ever
this exclusive domain of the unholy
rich. The uniformed attendants, hav
ing nothing to do, yawned lazily IL
the deserted halls. Some even In
du]ged in surreptitious maps in cor
ners, confident that they would no
be disturbed. Callers were SO rare
that when some one did enter from
the street, he was looked upon will
suspicion.
1t was shortly after seven o'clocl
the day following Mrs Jeffries' re
ception when a man came in by tn,
main entrance from Broadway, ant
approaching one of the hall boys, in
quired for Mr.. Robert Underwood.
The boy gave his interlocutor al
impudent stare. There was somethin,
about the callers dress and name
which told him instinctively that b.
was not dealing with a visitor whom
he must treat respectfully. No on
divines a mans or woman's socia
status quicker or more unerringl.
than a servant. The attendant say
at once that the man did not belon
to the class which paid social visit
to tenants in the Astruria. He wa
rather seedy looking. his collar wa
not immaculate. his boots were THO
and clumsy, his clothes cheap and IL
fitting.
is Mr.. Underwood in?" he de-
} manded.
Not home" replied the attendan
insolently, after pause. Like mos
hall boys, he took savage pleasur
| in saying that the tenants were out.
J The caller looked annoyed.
, HE must be in," he said with
} frown. 81 have an appointment wit
: him.
: This was not strictly true, but til
bluff had the desired effect.
Got an appointment! Why didn
you say so at once?"
3 Reaching laziiy over the telephor
r switchboard, and without rising frol
8 his seat. he asked surlily:
> Whats the manner"
}. Mr.. Bennington"
The boy took the transmitter ar
! spoke into 1t: