THE GUEST STAIR 225 



keep in the liquid explosive-proof safety vault built in the foundation 

 arch of the chimney, but whose loss would be inconvenient. 



All cellar windows were large and had step-down areas with 

 self-draining blind ditch outlets. Iron gratings and non-corroding 

 wire screens at all cellar windows effectually barred burglar, bug, 

 and rodent, and allowed frequent and thorough ventilation. 



Cellar woodwork, which consisted only of window frames and 

 stairs, was painted white and spar varnished, and several ribbed glass 

 reflectors increasing the light threefold swung within in front of 

 area windows. The mixture of white marble dust in cement floor and 

 sides and white water paint applied to ceiling made the basement 

 exceptionally light. The white patent cement floor was as easily 

 cleaned as tile. 



Bowling Alley. 



The bowding alley under the high veranda platform with glassed-in 

 front, reached by cement steps from both verdure shielded porch room 

 and belvedere, was finished before we heard of the Italian damp-proof 

 glass-floored alleys which neither warp nor sag. It was the regula- 

 tion eighty-three foot length with low return groove and loop-the- 

 loop return rack. 



Our elastic basement accommodated also the gymnasium, 

 Turkish bath, and swimming pool, the walls of the latter finished 

 with scagliola, and water inlet safeguarded as far as possible from 

 germs by an hygienic filter. Here also was the tool room, with 

 electric forge and lathe. On rainy days that basement was something 

 of a beehive. 



The main stairway centreing our big staircase hall led to a mid- 

 height platform lighted by a window of stained glass, while a short 

 flight of stairs connected with the floor above. 



The Guest Stair. 



The awkward predicament of arriving and departing guests 

 mingling on the staircase with those in full dress was obviated by 

 the following simple plan: The stairway twelve feet wide, divided 

 by a movable rod and curtain into two separate flights, one eight feet 

 and a narrower four-foot flight against the wall. This temporarily 

 screened stair corridor reached by a private paneled door in the 

 grilled and wainscoted partition which separated the entrance hall 

 from the staircase hall admirably served its purpose a private 

 stair connected with the entrance hall is open to the objection that 

 valuable space would be permanently taken from the broad stair- 

 case and second story thieves or undesirable callers could readily gain 

 the upper floors undetected. The twelve foot wide stairway allowed 

 plant decoration its entire length. Tall palms guarded from a mis- 

 step. 



The squared staircase hall and the arched and pillared second- 

 floor hall corridor, in a measure an upstairs sitting room with fireplace, 



