The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-03-26
cAAprlRli Y.


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 Astrlria in size
and magniteence. Occupying an en-
tire block In the very heart of the
residential district; It took precedence
over all the other apartment hotels OF
the metropolis as the biggest and
most spIendldly appointed hostelry OF
its kind in the world. 1t was, indeed
small city In ftselt. 1t was not nee
essary for its fortunate tenants TO
leave It unless they we're SO minded.
Everything for their comfort and
pleasure was to be had without taking
the trouble to go out Of doors. On
the ground floor we're shops Of all
kinds, which catered only to the
Astruria's patrons. There were also
on the premises a bank, a brokers
Office, q hairdresser, and q postal tele.
graph ONCE. A special feature was
the garden court, containing over S0,-
900 square feet Of open space, and
tasteiully laid out with palms and
flowers. Here fountains Splashed and
an orchestra played while the patrons
lounged on comfortable rattan Ghairs
or gossiped with their friends. up on
the sixteenth floor was the coul roof
garden, an exquisite bower Of palms
and roses artifclally painted by a
famous French artist, with Its rech.
erchep restaurant, its picturesque
4. 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 laYishness and extraVa.
gance could go. Its interior arrange
ments were In keeping with its ex.
ternal splendor. Its 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 scale with the
grandeur of the establishment gees
without saying. Only long purses
could stand the strain, It was ala
YorIte headquarters for Westerners
who had Struck 1t rich" wealthy
bachelors, and successful actors and
onera singers who loved the limelight
on and of the stage.
Sunday evening was usually exceed
ingly quiet at the Astr""ia. Nest Of
the tenants were out Of town over the
weekend, and as the restaurant and
roof garden were only slimly patron
lied, the elevators ran less frequently,
making less chatter and hustle in cor
.ridors aud stairways. Stiffness reigned
everywhere as II the SOLDERING inhu'
ence Of the Sabbath had invaded even
this exclusive domain of the unholy
rich. The uniformed attendants, hay.
ing nothing to do, yaWned lazily In
the deserted halls. Some even I'M
dulged 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.
1t 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, mi
auired for Mr.. Robert Underwood.
The boy gave his interloeutor an
lmpudeut stare. There was Something
about the callers dress and mannel
which told. him. instlnctively that he
was not dealing with a visitor whom
he must treat respectfully. No one
diyines a mans or woman's social
status quicker or more unerringy
than aiBeF'vant. The attendant saw
at once that the man did mot belong
to 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 Ill
fitting
rs Mr.. Underwood in?" he de,
manded. >
Not home" replied the attendant
Insolently, after a pause. Like most
hall boys, he took a sayage pleasure
In saying that the tenants were out.
. The caller looked annoyed.
"EIe must be In" he said with al
frown. 81 have an appointment with
him."
This vas not strictly true, but the
blutf had the desired effect. !,
Got an appointment! Why didn't
you say so at once?"
Reaching lazily over the telephone
switchboard, and without rising from
his seat, he asked surlIly:
Whats the nane?
Mr.. Bennington"
The boy took the transmltter and
spoke Into It:
"a party called to see Mr.. Under
wood"
There was a. brief pause, as II the
person upstairs was 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.
,t tGs Toka tho alavaf0Fn