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replied Allcia with pcr?ct compos are i CHAPTER V. Amortf the many huge caravansaries that of recent years have sprung up la Nets York to provide luxurious Quarters regardless of ost for those who can afford to pay for the best, none could rival the Astrurla In size and magnificence. Occupying an en? tire Merk In the very tu art of th reetcint!al district. It took precedence ?\ over all the other apartment hotels of the metropolis as he legest ar.d most splendidly appointed host-h ?/ of Its kind in the world It was. MM 1 a sn.all city in I It wus not n< oaaary for Its forunato tenants to leave it unless they were so minded. I everything for their comfort and pleasure was to he had without taking the rouble to go out of doors. On the ground floor were shops of all kinds, which catered only to the Astrurla s patrons*. There were also on the premises a bank, a brokers office, a hairdresser, and a postal tele? graph oflce. A special feature was the garden court, containing over 30. 000 square feet of open space, and tastefully laid out with palms and flowers. Here fountains splashed and aa orchestra placed while the patrons lounged on comfortable rattan chairs or gossiped with tin ir friends. Up on -the sixteenth floor was the cool roof gVgarden. an exquisite bower of palms and roses artificially painted by a famous French artist, with Its rech? erche restaurant, its picturesque tslganes. and Its superb view of all Manhattan Island The Astrurla was the last word In expensive apartment hotel building r Architects declared that it was as far aa modern lavishness and extrava? gance could go. Its Interior arrange, tents were In keeping with its ex? ternal sp'endor. Us apartments were of noble dimensions, richly decorated, and equipped with every device, new and old. that modern science snd ' builders' ingenuity could suggest That the rente were on a scale with the grandeur of the establishment goes without saying. Only long purses could stand the strain It was a fa? vorite headquarters for Westerners who had "struck it rich," wealthy bachelors, snd successful actors and opera singers who loved the limelight em and off the stage. Sunday evening was usually exceed? ingly quiet at the Astrurla. Most of the tenants were out of town over the week-end. and as the restaurant snd roof garden were only sllmly patron ised. th* elevators ran less frequently, 1 making leee chatter snd bustle In cor? ridors and stairways Stillness reigned everywhere as if the sobering influ? ence of the Sabbath had Invaded even this exclusive ?.?-main of the unholy rief. TV- ir o ~>i ti ?v %gg nothing to do. yawned bully in 4g# deeerted halb \ ?< in eV'god in 3'irreptttlou* nope In cor * Sjera. ennfidou* 'oat they would not he disturbed. Callers were so rare rbet when some one did enter from the street, he was looked upon with suspicion. It was shortly after seven o clock the day following Mrs Jeffries' re? ception when a man came in by the main entrance from Broadway, kod opproacblng on* of the hall boys, In? quired ' Mr Robert Underwood. The boy gave his Interlocutor an Impudent stare. There was something about the caller's dress and manner which told him Instinctively that he > was not dealing with a visitor whom he must treat respectfully No one divines a man's or woman's social etat'.is quicker or more unerringly than a sen ant. The attendant saw at once that the man did not belong to the rlasr which paid social visit* io tenants n the \ trurla. He was ) rather seedy looking his collar was not Immaru.ate. Ms boots were thick and clumsy, his clothe cheap and 111 Otting. "Is Mr. Underwood In?" he de Not home." replied the attendant Insolently, after a pause. Like most hall boys, h* took a savage pleasure In raying that the tenants were out. The caller looked annoyed "He must be In." he said with a frown. "I have an appointment with him This wss not strictly true, but the bluff had the gggtfOd effect. "Got an appointment' Why didn't you soy so a once?" Reaching lazllv ovr the telephone switchboard, and without rising from his *eat. he asked gl r?ly: What's th?? natu ' ? Mr Bennlngton." Tb* boy took the transmitter and apok* Into It "\ carty called to see Mr Under? wood" Ther*? was a b t r pa-se. as If the person upstairs wa? In doubt whether to gggfltl that he wim fcggog or not Then came the answer. The boy looked up '.0 says you should go up. Apart? ment ike th. in Ms luxurious app< nt d room* on the fonrtrrnH llcor. Rob. rt I nder w< od sat before the Pre puffing n?M voosly at i Ire s rlgnf All around gjej ws* a Utter of obj< *s d art, such If would have fllb d the heart of any ?anoisseor with (or Oil paintings la he.i\v K'lt >rames. of every period *n.i I Kenibrandts. Cuypa. Ruys daels. lb Iggee, Corot* HeOgOfO, some en ??. ? Ik. some renting on the floor; handsome French bronaggj dainty china on Japanese Pakwood tables, antique furniture, gold ? m brold* red < n . n ul v? ntment*. hand painted screens, costly oriental rugs, rare ceram.'e??all were confusedly Jumbled togeth r On a grand piano in i* roi ?i. ? . ' ft.. r<??m jo..od two tad I cloisonne vases of almost Inestimable HMMMHH. WMMT TT-1-' I ? alue. (>n a dc.;k close by were plied . i. latUTi I and rare ivories. The Vi .Is ?reft covered with tapestries, armor, and trophies of arms. More like a mttaeefla IsmS a sitting room, It was the home aj a man who made a snitafta of ari or made of art a busi? ness. Underwood stared moodily at the flowing logs in the open chimney kaoe, His face was pale and de . uied. Atter coming la fltRB the UaTlsn ho had changed his tux? edo tor the more comioriable house I Ooat Nothing called him away that ! .. i; u ular Sunday evening, and no IM was likely to disturb him. Ferris, his man strvant, had taken his usual Sunday o:T and would not return until mldni'/.it. 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 . ould think, and he was 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 muslcale given the previous evening at her home. With an exclamation of impatience he rose from h?s seat, threw the paper from him. md begMi to pace the floor. Was this the end of everything? Had he reached the eud 01 hij 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 be recalled the things that were mis-lng. How could he explain their absence? The art dealers were al rcady suspicious. They were not to he 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. And 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 i could still hold his head high in the world No one would dare question his Integrity, but now she had aban? donee1 b|rn Id fete, people wonM he ?'1 I Uila\ riv.e v\.i- QO US1 keep j lag up a hopaleas futn?s? Bide is the only way out! Ha gtfjBfH d ll trout ol a mirror, ....hat o?vv Uieiw. iL was the face of a man not yet 30, but apparently muoh older. The features were drawn and haggard, and his dark hair was plentifully streaked with gray. He looked like a man who had ived two lives In one. To-night his ftce frightened him. His eyes had a fixed stare like those of a man he had once seen in a madhouse. He wondered If men looked like that when they were about to be executed. Was not Hi own hour close at hand? He wondered why the clock was so noisy; it seemed to him that the ticks were louder than usual. He started sud? denly and looked around fearfully. He thought he had heard a sound outside. He shuddered as he glared toward the Irtb ?: awwl on the right hand side of I his de*k In which he knew there was i 'oad- I revolver. If Allda would only relent epeape might yet i?e 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 onnectlng the apartment with the main hall downstairs rang violently. Tnterrupted thus abruptly In the midst of hl? reflections. I'nderwood Jumped forward, startled. Ills nerves were so unstrvrg that he was ever apprehensive of danger. With a trem? ulous hand, he took hold of the re , reiver and placed K to his ear. As he i toned, his already pallid face turned whiter and the lines about his mouth tightened He hesitated a moment be? fore replying Then, with an effort. , he ?ald: 1 14Bead hin up." iMop' tng the receiver, he hegan to walk nervously up and down the room The crisis had come sooner than he exprted exposure was at hand. This man llennine on whs the man? ager of the tirm Of dealers whose goods he disposed of. lie could not make res titution. Prower . ion was In ritable Disgrace and prlaoa would ollow, He COilld not stand It; he avid rather kill himself. Trouble was <-r\ :<j e ( h Md, that w a < ? ;ijM Ifcrv caaU h- gel 00t of It? Pacing he iVo\ he bit all Hps till the blood ;:me. TlH r. wai I harp ring at the front UBderWOOd opened It. As he . e, ; lied his visitor on the thresh? old, h- eiclaimed: "Why, Hennlngton, this Is a sur* at? i i>e mansgei eatered awkwardly, Me had the conatralaad air el ? Man who has ton e on an unpleasant o-? ? aad, rants la be ai amiable as tin < h nmstaaoea win parnill You dlda'l expei t me. did j our1 he h. :? I ?hutting tie front door, Underwood , led the . ,,\ hack lato the eittlns ro a, I and mal Ii a an effort to ?ontrol his | am van, said: ' Sli down. Aon't you?" ? Hut Mr, Henntagtoa merely bowed ' Stllf v If w ? i ,.vi.; ? .? ??><.? ?.,. n i . ? M m\mm mm m mtmmt ? _ wish his call to bo nilitaken lor a so? cial visit. \ "I haven't time, thank you. To be frank, my mission is rather a delicate one, Mr. Underwood." Underwood laughod nervously. Af ftOtlng to misinterpret the othcr'g me; ntng, he kcid i ' Ye. , you're right. The art and an? tique bv.f/ineei is a delicate buslneeg, God known it's a precarioui onel" Reaching for the decanter, he added: ?Have a drink.*1 Hut Mr, >'?> nnlngton refused to un? hand. The proffer of refre::hu.ent did not ttxnnt him to ? s/orva from the ob? et o bia mletion, VVhi'e Underwood wai talking, trying to gain time, his eyei were taking In the content! of th" apartment ?Come, take a drink," urged Under? wood again. "No. thanks," replied Mr. Benning ton curtly. Suddenly he turned square around. **\ ftt/i njot down to business, ?'r. I'n derwood," he exclaimed, "My firm in? sists on the immediate return of their property." Pointing around the room, h*1 added: "Everything, do you under? stand?** Underwood was standing in the sha> dow of the lamp so his visitor did not notice that ho had grown suddenly Tory white, and that his mouth twitched painfully. ?Why, what's the trouble?" he Stem mered. "Haven't I got prices for your l eople that they would never have got ten?" "Yes?we know all that," replied Mr. Henning!on 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 a'most everything. The rest of the thing! are here. Of course, there may be a few things?" Taking a hox of cigars from the desk, he off'""*od it to his visitor. "No, thanks," replied Benningen coldly, pushing hack the proffered box. Underwood n*gg 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 must give me time. I'm hard pressed by my creditors. My expenses are enormous and collections exceedingly difficult I have a large amount of money outstanding. After our pleasant business relations It seems absurd and most unfair that your firm should take this stand with me." He halted suddenly and faced Ponnington. "Of course, I'm much obliged to you, personally, for thi3 friendly tip." his shoulders, warnlne ma) give you time D y or to get the things back' ?s flashed with suppressed wrath, as he retorted: "Of course, 1 can get them all back in time. Damn It. you fellows don't know what it costs to run this kind of business successfully! One has to "My God! Why Are They Hounding Me Like This?" spend a small fortune to keep up ap pearenct i. These society people won't buy If they think you really need the money. 1'ye had to give expensive din? gen and spend money like water even to get them to come here and look at the rhings. You must give me time to mak< a settlement. I need at lea^t a month." Bennlngton shook his head. There was a hard, uncompromising look in his face as he replied caustically: "They're coming for the things to? morrow. I thought it fair to let you know. I can do no more." Underwood stopped short. "To-morrow," ho echoed faintly. "Yes." said Pennington grimly. "You might as well understand the situation thoroughly. The j. . i.. >'l up, The firm has been watching you for some liaie. When you tried to si 11 these th)ng.j to old Defrlei for one-quarter their real vnbe he Initantly recognized where they came pom. He telephoned straight to our place. You've been shadowed by detectives ever since. There's a man outside watching ibis place now." "My Qod!" exclaimed Underwood. "Why are they hounding in. llkw this?" Approaching Bennlngton quickly, he grasped his hand "Bennlngton,*1 he said earnestly, "urn and I've always been <>n Hi* square Can't you tell them it's all right? Can't you get them to clve me time P r fore the manager could reply the telephone bell rang sharply. Under wood started An expre slon of fear came over his face. Perhaps the firm had aheadv sworn out a warrant for his Hrr^nt |io pteW#?d on ?he ??..,?? ayn? v? in the < !tv Pridn? co answer the call. "What nfime 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 doei he want? I can't see him. Tell him I'm-" Bennington took his hat and turned to go: "Well, I must be off." "Don't go," exclaimed i'nderwood, as he hung up the receiver mechan? ically. "lt'? 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 ihort, he said: "I 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. Bennington 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. "Gcod God, you don't know J what it means to me, Bennington! The position I've made for myself will be swept away and?" Mr. Bennington remained distant and unsympathetic and Underwood threw himself 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 me to the wall I'll do something desperate I'll?-" A ring at the front door bell inter? rupted him. "Who can that be?" he exclaimed, startled. He looked closely at his companion, as if trying to read in his face if he were deceiving him. "Probab'y your friend of the tele? phone," suggested Bennington. 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 a stimulant to brace him up for the "strike" he was about to make. The back door of a saloon was convenient? ly open and while he was refreshing himself two other men he knew dropped in. Before he knew it, half a dozen drinks had been absorbed, and he had spent the whole of $5 which his wife had intrusted to him out of her carefully hoarded savings. When he sobered up he would real? ize that he had acted like a coward and a cur, but Just now he was feel? ing rather jolly. Addressing Under? wood with impudent familiarity, he went on: "The d?d boy didn't seem to know if you were in or not, so I came up anyhow." Glancing at Bennington, he added: "Sorry, if I'm butting in." Underwood was not in the humor to be very gracious. Ixmg ago young Howard Jeffries had outgrown his use? fulness as far as he was concerned. He was at a loss to guess why he had come to see him uninvited, on this particular Sunday night, too. It was with studied coldness, therefore, that he said: "Sit 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 ill humor and prom? ising himself to get rid of hii unwel? come visitor at the first opportunity, Underwood introduced the two men. "Mr. Bennington?Mr. Howard Jeff? ries, Jr." (TO BE CONTINUED/ if your children are subject to at? tacks of croup, watch for ti ? drat symptom, hoarseness. Gi\e Cnanv berlain's Courh Remedy as soon at the child becomes hoarse and the at? tack may bo* warded off. For sale bj all dealers. ONLY ONE. The Record In Bumter Is a Unique One. if the reader has a "bad hack" or any kidney ill and la looking for re? lief and cur better depend on the <>nly remedy endorsed bj people you know. Doail'S Kidney Pills relieve quickly?cure permanently. Bumter citizens testify toUhls, Her.- is a case of it: E. W. Vogel, 401 Hampton avenue, Bumter, B. C, says: "For years i suf? fered from pains through the small of my back ami whenever l stooped, 1 was in misery, My back became very weak and several times t had to give up work, a physician trotted me but bis medicine brought no re? lief and I the.i tried several well known kidio y remedies but was not helped. One day 1 read a statement in the loeal paper given by a party who had used Doan's Kidney rills ami the remedy had acted so bene? ficially In that case that I got a BUp ply at China's Drug Store. After using one box, my aches and pains disappeared aad the contents of six boxes completely cured me." (State? ment given February 8, r.,,ls ? Tllc? < ure Lasted. < ui January 1911. M r. Vogel said: "I take pleasure In conlirml'-g my former endorsement of Doan's Kidmy Pills and making the fact known thai they effected a perma? nent cure iu my case. Von may con? tinue to publish my endorsement ol this preparation."' I ,,r ssle by :iii deal ?>?. Price 50 rents. Foster- Ifilhtirii Co., Buffalo, New York, sole agents for the United States. Itemember the nun. Doan's and t;ii e no oiher. So. 15 Do not allow your kidney and blad? der trouble to develop beyond the reach of medicine. Take Folev Kid ney Tilts. They e oul k i ? uilts ind stop Irregularities with surprising Customers Success Means Our Success We seek to promote the success Of all our customers in every legitimate manner. If they succeed our success is increased in just thai proportion. It is our CMli -.nt effort to make our bank? ing > i \ ic- of assistance to these piitrons and our officers are Willing at any time to advise them relative to such matters as pertain to financing their affairs. An insight into all lines of bualneei enables our officers to know financial matters and they gladly give the benefit of such knowledge to patrons. THE PEOPLES' BANK We Solicit the Savings Deposits i ot boatneaa men and professional men; of clerks and book-keeper*; of mechanics and laborers; of sewing girls and housekeeper-: of married women and single women; of young people and children; THE BANK OF SUMTER. SUMTER, S. C. J There's a Lesson in Every Failure or mistake?Learn it. There, too, is a Regret or Sorrow?Forget it. The Past Holds out Nothing: to You the Future Everything. FORWARD! The Farmers' Bank and Tru& Co. pat yow** muL\mn A CHECK. THEN You HAVE A CHECK OfJ your bill. i 3 \? ahefc id d Those who have never had a bank account know not the convenience of one Each check you write is a RECEIPT; you know just how much you are spend? ing; you've always "got money,'' and you can't lose it or be robbed. Make OUR Bank YOUR Bank. We pay liberal interest consistent with safety #?? Fir^t National Bank OF SUMTER NEW CROP GARDEN SEED We have just received a full line of Landreth's Famous Seeds in Five Cent Packages and in Bulk. Ask for Illustrated catalogue. HEARON'S PHARMACY ? _PHONE M>._11 S. MAIN SI._^ Frost Proof Cabbage Plants. We grow only iiuaraiileed plants, nur n> name, recommended by all wiu? have uncd them. Oui pi l?*e? t?? km follows: 1,000 t?i *.e"" plant? at $i 2$ per thousand; ?.000 to o.rtWat SI.M pertlioiiKand; 10.000to t.?.??*>.? eg cents per tltou itaiid. i gents ?raul**d hi every town Write for hook lei on rultu re, etc. Vari? eties: l- Mil \ JERSEY, known bj all an ihe earliest pointed head; CHARLES ION W AKEHEl.t), same type, hm araer ami little SUCCESSION, !: i .i and earl lest of all Mat varieties; FLAT l>l I*.II. oar large. Nat. late rabbage and a leader. We guarantee full count Inevery box. safe delivery to youi ? -\press office, and sat isfnet ion or n oney refunded Plants shipped win n ordered: no delay* Send monej by Registered Letter, Exproa* Money Order or V .: t huce Vi iii '? I ?l<ler he ( arr-Carlton Co , Box 4>i, Meggetts, . C.