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About The Plattsmouth journal. (Plattsmouth, Nebraska) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (March 27, 1911)
TRe THIRD H DEGREE c4 Narrative cTHetropolitan t : r . By CHARLES KLEIN and ARTHUR HORNBLOW ILLUSTRATIONS BY RAY WALTFRS Culijriyul, iMi, by ti W. Xjiiiuj.uuui luiun.'.i) CHAPTER V. Among the many huge curavanaaries 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, Tione could rival the Astruria In size Mid magnificence. Occupying an en tire block in the very heart of the residential district, it took precedence over all the other apartment hotels of tine metropolis as the biggest and most splendidly appointed hostelry of Jts kind in the world. It was, Indeed, it small city In Itself. It was not nec tary for its fortunate tenants to leave It unless they were so minded. Everything for their comfort and jleasure 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 Astrurla'g patrons. There were also n the premises a bank, a broker's office, a hairdresser, and a postal tele graph office. A special feature was the garden court, containing over 30, WW 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 'tzlganes, 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 lavlshness 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 a scale with the acandeur of the establishment goes without saying. Only long purses could stand the strain. It was a fa vorite headquarters for Westerners mho 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 week-end, and as the rtstaurant and Toof garden were only sllinly patron Ized. the elevators ran less frequently, making less chatter and bustle .'n cor ridors and stairways. Stillness reigned everywhere as If the sobering influ 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 hall. Some even in duig'Hl in surreptitious naps in cor ners, confident tint they would not lie disturbed. Ca'.'ers were so rare that when pome one did enter from the street, he was 'looked 111 on with t-Hsplclon. It was shortly alter seven o'clock Mi d;iy following Mrs. .Tcffrhs' re- ei: ion when a nein came in by the nuu'ti entrance from Rro'idway, und nptH'nat hUig one o'' the hall beys. In qu'rrd for Mr. Robert Underwood. The boy gave his Interlocutor an Impudent stare. There was suuu-thlni! about the caller's dress and manner which told him Instinctively that he was not dealing w ith a visitor whom he must treat respectfully. No one divines a man's or woman's social (tutus quicker or more unerring!) than a servant. The attendant saw at once that the man did not belong to the class which paid social visit? to tenants In the Astruria. He waa rattier seedy looking, his collar was not Immaculate, his boots were thick and clumsy, his clothes cheap and ill fitting. "Ik Mr. Underwood In?" he de manded. "Not home," replied the attendant Insolently, after a pause. Like most hall boys, he took a savage pleasure in saying that the tenants were out. The caller looked annoyed. file must be In," he said with a frown. "I have an appointment with ,blm." 1 This was not strictly true, but the hluff had the desired effect. I "Viol an appointment! Why didn't 2ov say so at once?" Reaching lazily over the telephone switchboard, and without rising from h$ seat, be asked surlily: j "What's the name?" "Mr. Rennlngton." Tli" boy took the transmitter and ' 'POk into it: V party called to see Mr. Under von l " ', ? There was a brief pans, as If the ; pi -on upstairs was In doubt whether jio' admit t hat he was home or not. jltl mi came the answer. The boy lOGU-'U up. Ui b.it.1 you s!..-:i;,i eo ,). Awtrt- 1 . , i nitnt 1C5. Take tnc elevator." Tn his luxurious appointed rooms or. , the fourteenth floor. Robert Under I wood sat before the fire puffing net ! vor.sly at a strong cigar. Al! around v.a was a litter of obj ts d'art. such as would have flTled the heart of any j connoisseur with joy. Oil paintings j lu heay gilt frames, of every period and school. Rembraiults, Cuyps, Uuys j daels, Reynoldses. Corots, Heuners, some on easels, some resting on the floor; handsome French bronzes, dainty china on Japanese teakwood tables, antique furniture, gold em broidered clerical vestments, hand painted screens, costly oriental rugs, rare ceramics all were confusedly jumbled together. On a grand piano iu a corner of the mom stood two tall cloisonne vases of almost inestimable value. On a desk close by were piled miniatures and rare ivories. The walls were covered with tapestries, armor, and trophies of arms. More like a museum than a sitting room, it was the home of a man who made a business of art or made of art a busi ness. Underwood stared moodily at the glowing logs in the open chimney place. His face was pale and de termined. After coming in from the restaurant he had changed his tux edo for the more comfortable house coat. Nothing called him away that particular Sunday evening, and no one was likely to disturb him. Ferris, his man servant, had taken his usual Sunday off and would not return until midnight. The apartment was still as the grave. It was so high above the street that not a sound reached up from the noisy Broadway below. Un derwood liked the quiet so that he could think, and he w as thinking hard. On the flat desk at his elbow stood a dainty demi-tasse of black coffee un tasted. There were glasses and de canters of whisky and cordial, but the stimulants did not tempt him. He wondered If Alicia would Ignore his letter or if she would come to him. Surely she could not be so heart less as to throw him over at such a moment. Crushed In his left hand was a copy of the New York Herald containing an elaborate account of the brilliant reception and muslale given the previous evening at her home. With an exclamation of impatience he rose from his seat, threw the paper from him, and began to pace the floor Was this the end of everything? Had he reached the end of his rope? He must pay the reckoning, if not to day, to-morrow. As his eyes wan dered around the room and he took mental inventory of each costly ob ject, he experienced a sudden shock as he recalled the things that were missing. How could he explain their absence? The art dealers were al ready suspicious. They were not to be put off any longer with excuses. Any moment they might insist either on the immediate return of their prop erty or on payment in full. He was In the position to do neither. The articles had been sold and the money lost gambling. Curse the luck! Every thing had gone against him of late. The dealers would begin criminal pro ceedings, disgrace and prison stripes would follow. There was no way out of It. He had no one to whom he could turn In this crisis. Ann now even Alicia had deserted him. This was the last straw. While he was still able to boast of the friendship and patronage of the aris tocratic Mrs. Howard Jeffries he could still hold his head high In the world. No one would dare question his Integrity, but now she had aban doned him to his fate, people would be gin to talk. There was no use keep ing up a hopeless fight suicide was Hi.? only way out! He stopped In front of a mirror, itaitletl at what he saw there. It was the face of a limn not yet ;''), but apparmtly much oMor. The features were drawn and h:tg;;ard, and his dark hair was plentifully streaked with gray, lie looked li,;e a rn n who had lived two live., in o'le. To-night his face ('lightened him. Hi.; ryes had a fixed stare lll-'e those of a man he. had one" seer, lu a madhouse, He wondered if men looked like that wh"n hey were about to be eyeciped. Was not his own hour close ai hand? lie wondered why the clock was so noisy; it seemed to him that the ticks were loudn, than usual. He started sud dimly and looked p'otind fearfully. He. 'honght he bad ho:;rd a sound outside He shuddered as h" glared toward the Mule drawer on the right-hand side of his desk, in which he knew there was a loaded revolver. If Alicia would only relent escape might yet bo possible. If he did not hear from her it must be for to-night One slight little pressure on the trig ger and all would be over. Suddenly the bell of the telephone connecting the apartment with the main hall downstairs rang violently Interrupted thus abruptly In the midst of his reflections, Underwood jumped forward, startled. His nerves were so unstrung that he was ever apprehensive of danger. With a trem ulous hand, he took hold of the re ceiver and placed It tojils ear. As ho listened, his already pallid face turned whiter and the lines about his mouth tightened. He hesitated a moment be 'ore replying. Then, with an effort, he raid: "Send him up." Dropping the receiver, he began to ws'k nervously up and down the mm. The crisis find come sooner than he expected exposure was at band. This man Ilennlngton was the man ager of the firm of dealers whose goods he disposed of. He could not make restitution, rrosecution was In evitable. Disgrace and prison would iollow. Hh could not stand It; he would rather kill himself. Trouble was very clo.e nt hand that was certain I low could he get out of It? Pacing the floor, he bit his lips ti.l the blood 'ame. There was a sharp ring at the front l.ior. Underwood opened As h. evngni.eu nis viMior on tne thresh M. he exclaimed: "Why, Pennington, this is a sur Ittse!" The manager entered awkwardly. .4e had the constrained air of a man ho has come ou an unpleasant er- aud, but wants to be as amiable a4 ,he circumstances will permit. "You didn't expect me, did you?" he Kgan. Shutting the front door, Underwood ed the way back into the sitting room, md making an effort to control his lerves, said: "Sit down, won't you?" Rut Mr. ilennlngton merely bowed itiilly. It was evident that he did not lsh his call to be mistaken for a so cial visit. 1 haven't time, thank you. To be 'rank, my mission Is rather a delicate one, Mr. Underwood." Underwood laughed nervously. Af fecting to misinterpret the other's meaning, he said: "Yes, you're right. The art and an tique business Is a delicate business. Clod knows It's a precarious one!" Reaching for the decauter, he added; 'Have a drink." Rut Mr. Ilennlngton refused to un bend. The proffer of refreshment did not tempt him to swerve from the ob- ect of his mission. While Underwood was talking, trying to gain time, his eyes were taking in the contents of the apartment. "Come, take a drink," urged Under wood again. "No, thanks," replied Mr. Benning ton c.utly. Suddenly he turned square around. "Let's get down to business, Mr. I'n derwood," he exclaimed. "My firm In sists on the Immediate return of their property." Pointing around the room, he added: "Everything, do you under stand?" Underwood was standing In the sha dow of the lamp so his visitor did not notice that he had grown suddenly very white, and that his mouth twitched painfully. "Why, what's the trouble?" he stam mered. "Haven't I got prices for your people that they would never have got ten?" "Yes we know all that," replied Mr. Rennlngton Impatiently. "To be frank, Mr. Underwood, we've received Information that you've sold many of the valuable articles Intrusted to you for which you've made no account ing at all." "That's not true," exclaimed Under wood hotly. "I have accounted for almost everything. The rest of the things are here. Of course, there may be a few things " Taking a box of cigars from tha desk, he offered It to his visitor. "No, thanks," replied Rennlngton coldly, pushing back the proffered box. Underwood was fast losing his self control, throwing away his cigar with an angry exclamation, he began to walk up and down. "I can account for everything if you give me time. You mutt give me tlnio. I'm hard pressed by my creditors. My expenses are enormous Rnd collections exceedingly difficult. I have a largo amount of money outstanding. Alter our pleasnnt business relations it seems absurd and most unfair Hint your firm should take this stnnd with me." He halted suddenly and faced Rennlngton. "Of course, I'm iiiue'i obliged to you, personally, for thh Mlendly tip." Rennlngton shrugged h!a shoulders. "The warning may r.lve you tjmo either to raise the money or to get thii things back." Underwood's dark eyes fl -i-hed with suppicssod wrath, as he f'toited: "Of course, can get them all bac't in time. Damn it, you fellows don't know what it costs to run this klvd of business successfully! One has to "My God! Why Are They Hounding Me Like This?" spend a small fortune to keep up ap pearances. These society people won't buy if they think you really need tha money. I've had to give expensive din ners and spend money like water even o get them to come here and look at the things. You must give me time to make a settlement. I need at least a nionlh." Rennlngton shook his head. There was a hard, uncompromising look In ht fr n he retilled caustically "They're coming for tne tnmgs to morrow. I thought It fair to let you know. I can do no in.-.rt,." I'nderwood stopped short. "To-morrow," he echoed faintly. "Yes," said Rennlngton grimly. "Yob might as well understand Ihe'sltuHtiot, 'horoeghly. The p line's up. The lira tias le:..n wutehlng lo'i for i,o:ue tin, a When you tried to sell these things tt old Defiles for one-quarter their reaj value he Instantly recognized when they came from. He telephoned stiaight to our place. You've beei -hadowod by detectives ever sine There's a man outside watching thil j.ae 'o'v." "My God!" exclaimed Umbrwood. "Why are they hounding me like this?" Approaching Renrington quickly, he grasped his hand. "Hennington," he said earnestly, "you and I've always been on the rquare. Can't you tell them It's all right? Can't you get them to give me time?" Refore the manager could reply the telephone bell rang sharply. Under wood started. An expression of fear came over his face. Rerhaps the firm had already sworn out a warrant for his arrest. He picked up the receiver to answer the call. "What name Is that?" he demanded over the telephone. The name was re peated and with a gesture of relief he exclaimed: "Howard Jeffries! what on earth does he want? I can't see him. Tell him I'm" . Rennlngton took his hat and turned to go: "Well, I must be off." "Don't go," exclaimed Underwood, as he hung up the receiver mechan ically. "It's only that Infernal ass Howard Jeffries!" "I must," said the manager. As he went toward the door he made a close scrutiny of the walls as If searching for something that was not there. Stopping short, he said: "1 don't see the Velasquez." "No no," stammered Underwood nervously. "It's out out on proba tion. Oh, It's all right. I can account for everything." Mr. nennlngton continued his In spection. "I don't see the Gobelin tapestry," he said laconically. "Oh, that's all right, too, if they'll only give me time," he cried desper ately. "Good God, you don't know what It means to me, Rennlngton! The position I've made for myself will be swept away and" Mr. Rennlngton remained distant and unsympathetic and Underwood threw hlniRelf into a chair with a ges ture of disgust. "Sometimes I don't think I care what happens," he exclaimed. "Things haven't been going my way lately. I don't care a hang whether school keeps or not. If they drive mo to the wall I'll do something desperate I'll " A ring at the front door bell Inter rupted him. "Who can that he?" he exclaimed startled. He looked closely at his companion, as If trying to rend In his face If he were deceiving him. "Probably your friend of the tele phone.r suggested Rennlnglon.' Underwood opened the door and Howard entered Jauntily "Hello, fellers, how goes It?" was his Jocular greeting, He was plainly under the Influence of liquor. When he left home that evening he had sworn to Annie that he would not touch a drop, but by the time he reached the Astruria his cour age failed him. He rather feared Un derwood, and he felt the need of stimulant to brace l.lni up for the "strike" he was about to make. Tho back door of a saloon was convenient ly open and while be was refreshing himself two other men he knew dropped In. Refore he knew it, half a dozen drinks had been absorbed, and he had spent the whole of $5 which bis wife had Intrusted to him I out of her carefully bearded savings. u in n no soiiereU up he would real ize that he had neteil like a coward and a cur, but Jusl now be was feel ing rather jolly. Addressing I'nder wood with impudent, familiarity, ho went on: . "The d d boy didn't seem to know if you were In or not, so I enme up anyhow." (ilancii g at Rennliiginn, he ikMmI: "Sorry, if I'm bulling In." Underwood was not In Hie humor to be vt ry gracious. Long ago yonim I low m d Jeffries had outgrown his use. fulness as far asl he was coneet li"d. He was at a loss to puecs why he bad come to see him uninvited, on this particular Sunday night, too. It wns with studied coldness, therefore, that he said: "Kit down I'm glad to see you." "You don't look It," grinned How ard, as he advanced further into the room with shambling, uncertain steps. Concealing his 111 humor and prom ising himself to get rid of his unwel come visitor at the first opportunity, Underwood introduced the two men. "Mr. Rennlngton Mr. Howard Jeff ries, Jr." Mr. Rennlngton had heard of tho older JeffrleB' trouble with his scape grace son, and he eyed, with some in terest, this young man who had made such a fiasco of his career. "Oh, I know Rennlngton," exclaimed Howard Jovially. "I bought an ele phant's tusk at his place In tho days when I was somebody." With mock sadness he added, "I'm nobody now couldn't even buy a collar button." "Won't you sit down and stay while?" said Underwood sarcastic ally. "If you don't mini, I'll have a drink first," replied Howard, making his way to the desk and taking up the whisky decanter. Underwood did not conceal his an noyasce, but hU angry glances wrj-e entirely imt on nis hew visitor, w no was rapidly getting Into a maudlin condition. Addressing Rennlngton with famllliirltv, Howard went on: "Say, do you remember that won derful set of Ivory chessmen my old man bought?" Rennlrixlon smiled nml nodded. "Ye vlr- I dn. in-.'efd. Ah vo-ir father Is a fine art critic!" Howard burst Into boisterous laugh ter. "Art critic!" he exclaimed. "I should say he was. He's a born critic. He can criticise. any old thing every old thing. I don't care what It Is. he can criticise it. 'When In doubt criticise,' is nafled on ratnrrs es cutcheon." Rowing with mock cour tesy to each he raised the glass to his lips and said: "Here's how!" Hennington laughed good humored ly, and turned to go. "Well, good night, Mr. Jeffries. Good night, Mr. Underwood." Underwood followed the manager to the door. "Good night!" he said gloomily. (To Re Continued.) (I L". The Next Great Attraction to Come to the Parmele Theatre A new recruit to the "too small band of Intelligent American play wrights" is noted In the person of Eugene Walter. Ills play. "Paid in ICull," produced at the Astor theater, New York, by Wagenhals & Kemper, shows Mr. Walter, In W. P. Katon's phrase, to have "decisively Joined" the aforesaid band. Critics are as one in admitting tho power of the new drama; Mr. Katon of the New York Sun confesses to the "thrill of discovery" not aroused since "The Great Divide" came before the public two years ago. Mr. Winter of the Tribune calls It "a strong play, steadily Interesting and destined to long-continued success." Alan Dale, In the American, speaRs of It as "a find," perhaps the best "find" of the season. The sum and substance of I all the criticisms may perhaps argue that there Is more of promise than entirely successful performance In the work; but then It Is pointed out that In this we have a second play of a young dramatist. A legal contest of managers over the rights of the production of the play has brought out the Interesting fact that the author of the play, the distinct suc cess of the year, has only recently taken his meals in cheap dairy restauranta and slept In Rryant park. Mr. Faton thinks the author has "the priceless posseslson of the born dramatist," and gives the play's story In these words: " 'Paid In Full' opens in a Harlem flat, the home of Joseph Rrooks and his wife, Emma, young people worry ing along on so small a salary that they have no maid. Joe Is full of bitterness toward his employer, Cap tain Williams, president of the Latln Ameiican Fteatnshlp company, a veritable ex-sea wolf from the Pacific, who applies to business his old methods of the senior. That he Is paid so poorly Inspires In Joe a kind of half-baked socialism, which vents Itself In ugly harangues at his wife. Joe from the first Is a jxior lot, and one Is little surprised when he begins !o eU.nl his employer's money. "That he stole for his wife's sake,' na he tells her, Is quite true, lu a j statement as another exhibition of i niiilHlnu'ss. and the author passes on to the further development, of his. story. Oee wishes to cry 'Hold!' to i:et nt .i'ic s extenuating psychology n bit. Rut Mr. Walter does not per mit It "In-ietrl, .Toe bluntly mnkis the pro'ios'il to his wife that she shall bo to Williams' Cut and try to save him from Jail. Of (o:trse such a proposal kills once and for all every vcilne of sympathy for Joe, and luanil.t bint utt( rlv as a skunk." W. (i. Melsiniicr In (lie City, Mr. W. (i. Meisinger of near Eight Mile drove whs a Plattsmoiilh vl itor today, accompanied by Ed Jordan. ; who Is helping Mr. Mi Islnger till his' farm the present season. Mr. Mel slnger will begin his oat seeding probably next week, ai:d will plant about thirty acres, reserving about seventy acres for corn, which he usually puts out about May first. He Is one o( the successful farmers In his county and few men will beat M in raising corn. Mike Class departed for Nebraska City this morning, where ho will visit friends and relatives over Sunday. I THE NEW WAY OF SMOKING MEAT 1 tlirmiKh tlio salt, It (leiieimis navor and Insects through tho Wright's lis a ll'inld mnnke and bv burning hickory wood. It U put up In mimiro quin t buttles only, each with a metal cap. NKVKK HOLD IN HUI.1C. A bottle will mnokn a barrel of imat CJSa lbs.). For snlo by nil (IhikkIhIs at 7!o. Kvxry botti guaranteed. AhIc (lniKKiHt for I'RDio ltooiv. "Tii Nw Wny." Uo euro to cct tho genuine WKKJUT'B COND11.NB1SD SMOKii Mudo only by to V 1.11 A .NiT ttf AUAS'TiAlM Uk F. Q. FRIGliE & CO. i LOSES WHEEL IN RUN AWAY LUST EVENING Krom Siiltmlny's Dully. Albert Murray met with some bad luck last evening while his team and buggy was standing at the residence of Karl Isle, two miles south of town. Earl was In the buggy with Mr. Murray at the time. Something not apparent to the driver frighten ed the team and It soon became un manageable, running away and smashing one wheel and the tongu to smlthers. Karl was In th buggy when It went over and got oft without a bruise. The frightened horses ran and were soon lost sight of In the darkness and were not found until this morning. The ac cident occurred about 8:30 last even ing. The team was found near th Nevotuey home this morning tied to a tree and neither of the horse -were in the least Injured. Mr. Mur ray brought his buggy In for repair this morning. ENCAMPMENT ENJOYED BANQUET LAST NIGHT From Saturday's Pally. Mystic Kncampmcnt No. 31, I. 0. O. F., last night was served to on of their enjoyable banquets. Th members and their wives and families participated, thero being a fine, rep resentation of the order present. A,' five-course banquet was served tn th banquet room and everyone had all they could eat and drink. The coffee urn was heated up for th second tlmo and it was a very Iat hour when the banqueters and their families left the scene of th festivities. The banquet lasted for an hour and a half, commencing at 9 o'clock. After the tables wr cleared the company engaged In a Boclal game of cards. Those who cared to do so enjoyed a cigar or two In the smoking room, and a Jolly good time was the lot of all present Mont Itohb (Jin-s to Lincoln. From Friday's Dnlly. Mont Robb, who for the past two years was manager of the Jonea Grain Company elevator at Mynard was In the city today visiting with his many county seat friends and maklnf preparations for moving to Lincoln, where ho goeB to enter upon th duties of his new position as steward of the penitentiary. This appoint ment he received some time ago, th vacancy being made on April 1. Mont Robb Is one of the good fellows who we regret to see leave Cass county, hut we are thankful that his hom is ittlll here and that he will return some time. The Robb family, who have been living near Union, move to Lincoln some time next month. Nel son Murray, n grain man of many years' experience, has accepted tho position with the Jones company made vacant by Mr. Robb's reslgna- tlon. Mr. Murray will assume charge at once. They have made & j.,,,,,) .selection in the new manager, jJ0PiMEY G R A V E S FILES III IN PROBATE COURT .'ioiu Siitui-ilnv' I mily. Alli.niiy Charles L. tlliuiH of I'lilon wa.-t in tlu- illy this morning ai.il ti. in.-, ii le.l huMiiirs with the pro hate unli t, bin lug i nn e to lile a pell, lien for the probate of a will of tho late Mrs. Eliza Jane Foster, who fen nt'y died al Union. The heirs had tiled a petition some time ago, alleging thai the deceased died lnhslutc, while the petition tiled by Attorney Craves sits out that tho de ( eased bit a w ill and the same Is propounded and will be offered for probate. The hearing, which was to have oecured today, was continued to April 17, and the proper notice will lie served on the surviving kin of th deceased. C. N. Cllne, who for ttie past few weeks has been working for E. A. Wurl on the delivery wagon, resigned his position yesterday, owing to sick ness. Charley has for some tlmo been troubled with eczema on his limb, and this week was taken dowa with the grippe and comiielled to give up his position. Uy applying two coats or WUiailT'H CONDENSED SMOKE ctly to the meat with a brush fitter the niest has eono will be thiimuglily smoked, will have a will keep solid and sweet und free from entire summer. Condensed Smoko contains nothing except what Is obtained