The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-03-26
/ cHGpTER "

who can afford to pay for the best.
none could rival the Astrlria Ia size
and maj nlieence. Occupying an en-
tire block in the very heart Of the
residential district; 1t took precedence
over all the other apartment hotels OF
the metropolis aS the biggest and
most splendidly appointed hostelry OF
its kind in the world. 1t was, indeed
small city in itself. twas not'necs
essary for its fortunate tenants 10
leave It unless they were 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 were shops Of all
kinds, which catered only to the
Astruria's patrons There were also
ON the premises a bank, brokers'
Office, a hairdresGer. and postal teleE
graph ONCE. A special feature was
the4garden court, containing over S9s
900 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 th&rs
or gossiped with their friends. up on
the sixteenth floor was the coul roof
garden, an exquisite bower of palms
and roses :artihcially painted by a
famous French artist, with its reeh-
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 1t was as far
as, modern layIshness and extraEa.
sanee could go. It's interior arrange
mehts were in keeping with its ex-
ternar splendor. It's apartments we're
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. It was a'fa-
Yorlte headquarters for Westerhers
who had afstruck 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. Nest of
the tenants were out of town over the
weekend, and as the restaurant ana
roof garden were only SHINY patron
lied, the elevators ran less frequently,
making less chatter and hustle in cor
.ridors and stairways. Stiffness reigned
everywhere as II the SOLDERING infiu-
ence Of the Sabbath had invaded even
this exclusive domain Of the unholy
rich. The uniformed attendants, haV.
ing nothing to do. yaWned lazily in
the deserted halls. Some even In.
dulged in surrepttious- maps IN cor.
nets, 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. Jehries' re.
ceptIon when a man came in by the
main entrance from Broadway, and
approaching one Of the hall boys, In
auired for Mr.. Robert Underwood,
The boy gave his interloeutor an
inpudent stare. There was something
about the callers dress and manner
which told him. lIstfnctively that he
was not dealing with a visitor whom
he must treat respectfully. No one
divines a mans or woman's social
status quicker Or more unerringIy
than af5servant. The attendant saw
at once that the man did not belong
to the class which paid social visits
to tenants in the AsIurfa. He was
rather seedy looking, his collar was
not immaculate, his boots were thick
and clumsy, his clothes cheap and Ill
hitting.
rs Mr.. Underwood in3" he de,
manded. So -
mot home,p replied the attendant
insOlontly, after 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
bluff had the desired effect.
Got an appointment! : Why didn't
you say so at onee%
Reaching lazily over the telephone
switchboard, and without rising from
his seat, he asked surllly;
what's the nanie?"
mfr Bennington"
The boy took the transmitter and
spoke into 1t:
= "a party called to see Mr.. Under
wood"
There was a brief pause as IL the,
person upstairs was in doubt whether
to admit that he was home or. not.
Then came the answer. The boy
looked up. q
He says you should go up. Apart,
ment 1856. Take the elevator"
! In bis luxurious appointed rooms on
the fourteenth foos Robert Under.
who'd snt before the IRE pullng ner.