n e wonaereu ir Alicia would lgnors
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 muslcale gives
the previous evening at her home.
With an exclamation of Impatience he
When in need o f GROCERIES don’t forget
rose from hls seat, threw the paper
that we carry a full line o f both Staple and
from him, and began to pace the floor.
Fancy.
Was this the end of everything?
Had he reached the end of his rope?
T H E R IG H T PR IC E A N D Q U A L I T Y
He must pay the reckoning, if not to
day, to-morrow. As his eyes wan
dered
around the room and he took
ILLUSTRATIONS BY P A Y W ALTERS
mental Inventory of eadH cosfly ob
COPYRIGHT, 1909, BY G.W. DILLINGHAM COMPANY
ject, he experienced a sudden shock
residential district, it took precedence to the class which paid social visits as he recalled the things that were
Phone 701
Main Street
over all the other apartment hotels of to tenants In the Astruria. He was missing. How could he explain their
the metropolis as the biggest and rather seedy looking, his collar was absence? The art dealers were al
most splendidly appointed hostelry of not Immaculate, his boots were thick ready suspicious. They were not to
its kind In the world. It was, indeed, and clumsy, his clothes cheap and 111- be put off any longer with excuses.
a small city in itself. It was not nec fltttng.
Any moment they might insist either
SYNOPSIS
“ Is Mr. Underwood In?" he de on the immediate return of their prop
essary for Its fortunate tenants to
leave It unless they were so minded. manded.
erty or on payment in full. He was
Howard Jeffries, banker’s son, under
“ Not home,” replied the attendant in the position to do neither. The
the evil Influence of Robert Underwood, Everything for their comfort and
t
t tr p r r *
a ^How-student at Yale, leads a life of pleasure was to be had without taking insolently, after a pause. Like most articles had been sold and the money
J. C. L A I I A dissipation, marries the daughter of a
C. W. MERTZ
gambler who died in prison, and is dis the trouble to go out of doors. On hall boys, he took a savage pleasure lost gambling. Curse the luck! Every
owned by his father. He tries to get work the ground floor were shops of all in saying that the tenants were out.
thing had gone against him of late.
and fails. A former college chum makes
The caller looked annoyed
a business proposition to Howard which kinds, which catered only to the
The dealers would begin criminal pro-
requires $2,000 cash, and Howard Is broke. Astruria’s patrons. There were also
“ He must be in,” he said with a | ceG(n ngS, disgrace and prison stripes
Robert Underwood, who had been re
I have an appointment
i wouJ(j f0uow
There was no way out
pulsed by Howard’s wife, Annie, in his on the premises a bank, a broker's frown.
college days, and had once been engaged office, a hairdresser, and a postal tele
hlm ”
.
...
of it. He had no one to whom he
to Alicia, Howard’s stepmother, has
A special feature was
This was not strictly true, but the '
^
,n th,3 crlsls.
apartments at the Astruria, and is ap graph office.
parently in prosperous circumstances. the garden court, containing over 30,- bluff had the desired ei ec .
And now even Alicia had deserted
Howard recalls a $230 loan to Underwood, 000 square feet of open space, and
“ Got an appointment. \\hy didn t h)m xhls was the ]ast straw. While
that remains unpaid, and decides to ask
him for the $2,000 he needs. Underwood, tastefully laid out with palms and you say so at once.
.
he was still able to boast of the
taking advantage of his intimacy with
Mrs. Jeffries. Sr., becomes a sort of social flowers. Here fountains splashed and
friendship ,nd p a . ™ « , oi
.,1 »
highwayman. Discovering his true char an orchestra played while the patrons switchboard, and without rising from
tocratlc Mrs. Howard Jeffries he
she denies him the house. Under lounged on comfortable rattan chairs
Both Phones
Corner Fifth Avenue and Second Street acter
hls
seat,
he
asked
surlily:
wood’s absence from a function causes
could still hold his head high in the
or gossiped with their friends. Up on
comment among Mrs. Jeffries’ guests.
“ What’s the name?”
world. No one would dare question
the sixteenth floor was the cool roof
“ Mr. Bennington.”
his integrity, but now she had aban
C H A P T E R IV.— Continued.
garden, an exquisite bower of palms
The boy took the transmitter and
doned him to his fate, people would be
and roses artificially painted by a spoke Into it:
gin to talk. There was no use keep
“ In a word,” laughed the Judge, famous French artist, with its rech
“ A party called to see Mr. Under
ing up a hopeless fight— suicide was
"you mean that any one trained to erche
restaurant,
its
picturesque wood."
the
only way out!
read my mind can tell just what’s tziganes, and its superb view of all
There was a brief pause, as If the
He stopped in front of a mirror,
passing In my brain?”
Manhattan Island.
person upstairs was in doubt whether
It
"Precisely," replied the doctor with
The Astruria was the last word in to admit that he was home or not. startled at what he saw there.
a smile “ the psychologist can tell with expensive apartment hotel building. Then came the answer.
The boy was the face of a man not yet 30, but
apparently much older. The features
almost mathematical accuracy just Architects declared that it was as far looked up.
Me Naraer & Wirtz, Proprietor»
how your mental mechanism Is work as modern lavishness and extrava
“ He says you should go up. Apart were drawn and haggard, and hls dark
hair was plentifully streaked with
ing. I admit it sounds uncanny, but gance could go. Its Interior arrange ment 165. Take the elevator.”
gray. He looked like a man who had
It can be proved. In fact, it has been ments were In keeping with Its ex
proved, time and time again.”
ternal splendor. Its apartments were
In hls luxurious appointed rooms on lived two lives in one. To-night his
and Tillamook Stage Lines.
Allela came up and took the doc of noble dimensions, richly decorated, the fourteenth floor, Robert Under face frightened him. Hls eyes had a
tor’s arm.
and equipped with every device, new wood sat before the fire puffing ner fixed stare like those of a man he
“ Oh, Dr. Bernstein,” she protested, and old, that modern science and vously at a strong cigar. All around had once seen In a madhouse. He
“ I can’t allow the judge to monopolize builders’ Ingenuity could suggest. That him was a litter of objets d’art, such wondered if men looked like that when
you In this way. Come with me. I the rents were on a scale with the as would have filled the heart of any they were about to be executed. Was
not his own hour close at hand? He
want to introduce you to a most
wondered why the clock was so noisy;
charming woman who is dying to
It seemed to him that the ticks were
meet you. She Is perfectly crazy on
louder than usual. He started sud
psychology.”
denly and looked around fearfully. He
“ Don't
introduce
me
to
her,
thought he had heard a sound outside.
laughed the Judge.
“ I see enough
He shuddered as he glared toward the
crazy people In the law courts."
little drawer on the right-hand side of
Dr. Bernstein smiled and followed
(B ellinger’s Old Stand)
hls desk, in which he knew there was
his hostess. Judge Brewster turned
a loaded revolver.
to chat with the banker. From the dis
tant music room came the sound of
If Alicia would only relent escape
a piano and a beautiful soprano voice.
might yet be possible. If he did not
The rooms were now crowded and
hear from her It must be for to-night.
newcomers were arriving each min
One slight little pressure on the trig
ute. Servants passed In and out serv
ger and all would be over.
ing iced delicacies and champagne.
Suddenly the bell of the telephone
First Avenue West o f Main Street. Phone 624
Suddenly the butler entered the
connecting the apartment with
the
salon and, quietly approaching Alicia,
main hall downstairs rang violently.
banded her a letter. In a low tone
Interrupted thus abruptly
In
the
he said:
•
v
midst of his reflections, Underwood
“ This letter has Just come, m'm.
jumped forward, startled. His nerves
The messenger said It was very im
were so unstrung that he was ever
portant and I should deliver it at
apprehensive of danger. With a trem
once.”
Kd Williams
J. W. Buckley
ulous hand, he took hold of the re
Alicia turned pale.
She Instantly
ceiver and placed it to his ear. As he
recognized the handwriting. It was
listened, hls already pallid face turned
from Robert Vnderwood. Was not her
W IL L IA M S & B U C K L E Y
whiter and the lines about his mouth
last message enough? How dare he
tightened. He hesitated a moment be
address her again and at such a time?
Manufacturers and Dealers in Rough und Dressed
fore replying. Then, with an effort,
Retiring to an Inner room, she tore
he said:
open the envelope and read as follows:
LUM BER
“ Send him up.”
Dear Mrs. Jeffries: This Is the last
Dropping the receiver, he began to
time I shall ever bore you with my let
W e are able to supply everything necessary for the
walk nervously up and down the
ters. You have forbidden me to see you
complete construction of house, barn or shed.
again.
Practically you have sentenced
room. The crisis had come sooner than
me to a living death, but ns I prefer
he expected— exposure was at hand.
Prices and Eatimat*a Furnished
death shall not be partial, but full and
This man Bennington was the man
complete oblivion, I take this means of
letting you know that unless you revoke
ager of the firm of dealers whose
Phone Galea 453,
Gales Creek, Oregon
your cruel sentence of banishment, I
goods he disposed of. He could not
shall make an end of It all. I shall be
make restitution. Prosecution was In
found dead, Monday morning, and you
will knuw who Is responsible.
evitable. Disgrace and prison would
Yours devotedly,
follow. He could not stand It; he
ROBERT UNDERW OOD.
would rather kill himself. Trouble was
An
angry
exclamation
escaped
very close at hand, that was certain.
Alicia's lips, nnd crushing the note up
How could he get out of It? Pacing
In her hand, she bit her lips till the
the floor, he bit his lips till the blood
blood came. It was just as she feared.
came.
The man was desperate. He was not
There was a sharp ring at the front
to be got rid of so easily. How dare
door. Underwood opened It. As he
be— how dare he? The coward— to
recognized hls visitor on the thresh
think that she could be frightened by
“ Yes, I Must See Him at Once.”
old, he exclaimed:
such a threat. What did she care If
“ Why, Bennington, this is a sur
he killed himself? It would be good grandeur o f the establishment goes
connoisseur with joy. Oil paintings prise!”
riddance.
Yet suppose he was In without saying. Only long purses
in heavy gilt frames, of every period
The manager entered awkwardly.
earnest, suppose he did carry out his could stand the strain. It was a fa
and school, Rembrandts, Cuyps, Ruys- He had the constrained air of a man
threat? There would be a terrible vorite headquarters for Westerners
daels, Reynoldses, Corots, Henners, " ho has come on an unpleasant er
scandal,
an
investigation,
people who had “ struck It rich,” wealthy
some on easels, some resting on the rand, but wants to be as amiable as
| would talk, her name would be men bachelors, and successful actors and
floor,
handsome
French
bronzes, the circumstances will permit.
tioned. No— no— that must be pre opera singers who loved the limelight
dainty china on Japanese teakwood
“ You didn’t expect me, did you?” he
vented at all costs.
on and off the stage.
tables, antique furniture, gold em began.
Distracted, not knowing what course
broidered clerical vestments, hand-
Sunday
evening
was
usually
exceed
Shutting the front door, Underwood
to pursue, she paced the floor of the
painted screens, costly oriental rugs, led the way back into the sitting room,
E are in a better position than ever to
room. Through the closed door she ingly quiet at the Astruria. Most of
the tenants were out of town over the rare ceramics— all were confusedly and making an effort to control hls
could hear the music and the chatter
Jumbled together. On a grand piano nerves, said:
do all kinds of Fine Commercial Print
of her guests. She must go to see week-end. and as the restaurant ana
in a corner of the room stood two tall
“ Sit down, won’t you?”
Underwood at once, that was certain, roof garden were only slimly patron-
cloisonne vases of almost inestimable
ing on short notice, having just recently
and her visit must bo a secret one. ixed. the elevators ran less frequently,
But Mr. Bennington merely bowed
making less chatter and bustle in cor value. On a desk close by were piled stiffly, n was evident that he did not
There was already enough talk.
installed new machinery and a com
If her enemies could hear of her vls- ridors and stairways. Stillness reigned miniatures and rare Ivories. The wl«h his call to be mistaken for a so
Ring him alone In his apartments that everywhere ns If the sobering Influ walls were covered with tapestries, cial visit.
ence of the Sabbath had invaded even armor, and trophies of arms. More
plete line of the latest styles of type faces
I would bo the end.
I haven’t time, thank you. T o be
“ Yes— I must see him at once. To- this exclusive domain of the unholy like a museum than a sitting room, it frank, my mission Is rather a delicate
was the home of a man who made a
; morrow Is Sunday. He’s sure to be rich. The uniformed attendants, hav
one, Mr. Underwood.”
of art or made of art a bus!
ome In the evening. He mentions ing nothing to do, yawned lazily in business
iTO BE C O N T IN U E D .)
ness.
the
deserted
halls.
Some
even
In
londay morning. There w ill still be
Underwood stared moodily at the
Corfu’s Queer Laws.
time. I'll go and see him to-morrow.” dulged in surreptitious naps In cor
B IL L H E A D S , LE T T E R H E AD S, ST A T E M E N T S ,
ners, confident that they would not glowing logs In the open chimney-
“ Allcla!
A licia !"
Corfu, where a magnificent marble
L E G A L B L A N K S , POSTERS, BRIEFS, E N V E L
The door opened and Mr. Jeffries be disturbed. Callers were so rare place. His face was pale and de palace belonging to the German em
that when some one did enter from
put
his head In.
termined. After coming in from the peror, is said to have just been pur
O PES, C A L L IN G C A R D S, ETC.
Up-to-date work
"W hat are you doing here, my the street, he was looked upon with restaurant he had changed his tux chased by an American millionaire,
suspicion.
on short notice.
dear?" he asked.
“ I was looking
edo for the more comfortable house can boast of the most peculiar land
It was shortly after seven o'clock coat. Nothing called him away that laws In the world. The landlords are
j everywhere for you. Judge Brewster
the day following Mrs. Jeffries' re particular Sunday evening, and no nearly all absentees, and their tenants
( wishes to say good night.”
“ I was fixing my hair, that’s all,” ception when a man came In by the one was likely to disturb him. Ferris. hold the land on a perpetual lease In
j replied Alicia with perfect compos main entrance from Broadway, and | hls man servant, had taken his usual’ return for a rent payable in kind and
ure.
approaching one of the hall boys, in -: Sunday off and would not return until fixed at a certain proportion of the
quired for Mr. Robert Underwood.
| midnight. The apartment was still as produce.
C H APTER V.
The boy gave his interlocutor an the grave. It was so high above the
Such a tenant is considered a co-
impudent stare. There was something street that not a sound reached un owner of the soil, and he cannot be
Among the many huge caravansaries about the caller’s dress and manner ! from the noisy Broadway below
Un expelled but for non-payment of rent,
that of recent years have sprung up which told him instinctively that he derwood liked the quiet so that he bad culture, or the transfer of hls
In New York to provide luxurious waa not dealing with a visitor whom could think, and he was thinking hard lease without the landlord’s permis
quarters regardless of cost for those he must treat respectfully. No one On the flat desk at his elbow stood a sion.
who can afford to pay for the best, divines a man's or woman's social dainty demi-tasse of black coffee— un
Attempts have been made to alter
TH E Q U A L IT Y SH OP
none could rival the Aatrurla In aise status quicker or more unerringly tasted. There were glasses and de the law, but both landlord and ten
and magnificence. Occupying an en- than a servant The attendant saw canters of whisky and cordial, but ants are apparently satisfied with s
Urs Mock In the very heart of the at once that the man did not belong the stimulants did not tempt him.
system that dates back to the time of
When in Need of Groceries
7 /)&)
T hird D egree
CHARGES KLEIN
>
ARTHUR5HORNBLOW
Y
H. T. GILTNER
MERTZ & LATTA
Forest Grove Steam Laundry
Ice, Cold Storage, Wood and Coal
Central Livery Barns
General Livery
CLYDE’S BICYCLE SHOP
BICYCLES, NEW AND SECOND HAND. REPAIRING OF ALL KINDS
SAW FILING
Local Agent gor Oregonian
SIGN PAINTING
►
C o m m e rc ia l
y»
c,
P rin tin g
SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
P re s s J o b R oom s
Homer