The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-03

entrance is by two flights of steps lead
ing from left ard right to a vestibule
incased in an elaborate mask of wrought
iron and glass.
Once past the vestibule, the entrance
leads into a high central hall in marble,
which the decorations have half covered
with Aubusson tapestries and a curious
collection of medieval ecclesiastical
vestments are sewn with rare jewels
Stairway Is Elaborate.
From this hall rises a splendidly de-
signed stairway, giving the effect of
distances surprisingly when the narrow
space is considered. The house is dec
GRATED by artists Of repute, furnished
with all that good taste could choose
and money could buy, for the drawing
rooms would compare even with those
of most careful collectors in artistic
home adornments. But to the architect
Yerkes had given directions that be
spoke g love of mystery and certain
theatricalism. While to all intents
and purposes the lower floors were such
as any family of mother and daughter
might need, the fourth floor was place
of mystery.
The stairs stopped at a small room
furnished more like a nuns cell than
like that of the mistress of so beautiful
a mansion. It contained a narrow
white iron bed, a. crucifx on the wall
and a fine divan before it. The walls
were whitewashed, a screen hid what
ever arrangements for the bath and
toilet may have been provided. For all
that a visitor might guess, the rest of
that floor was lumber room
This room Emile Grigsby showed to
visitors as her own. There was no visi-
bic entrance from the devotee's quarters
to the rest of the space on that floor.
Great Secret Chamber.
The rest of that floor, however. was a
sumptuous chamber. Few ever got a
glimpse of it. The architect had built
into the massive walls a concealed ele-
vatOr shaft, running from this room of
mystery to a place behind secret panels
in the basement floor. One who knew
the way could push these panels aside,
enter the elevator, close the panels and
ride to the only outlet of this shaft and
emerge into the upper. room.
This is a vast apartment which the
poet Keats might have described in his
sensibflity to luXuriOusness and splen-
dor. Everything that ina gination could
devise to make it attractive to the eye
and pleasing to the senses had been
studiously provided for it. It was cls-
chanting and oriental
Emile Grigsby, true to the character
of the little white rOOms was, ana has
been since, a devotee of the religion in
which she was brought up in the cell
vent. She has been liberal in gifts to
the church and has cultivated tho ac-
Quaintance and respect Of priests and
prelates.
Always she presented the front to tie
world of young woman of wealth NV
ing under the protection of her mother.
All that could be done To keep the
mothers former reputation in the back
ground was done.
Richmond Pearson HObson, the
young naval engineer officer, who had
been heroized and be-kissed all over
the country, met Emile Grigsby and
she attracted him. He was always in
her train. Yerkes was not in evil
I dence. Miss Grigsby went to Green's
bOrO. Ala, to be present at a truly
southern ceremony-the presentation
( of a silver service to HobsOn from the
hero WrShipers VIII had cOncentrat-
ed upon him their notion of the hero
spirit which exists in the American
navy. HobsOn showed on that occa-
! sion marked attention to Emile
/ Grigsby.
Baked by Revelation.
After that was over she was back
/ at Old Point. That is a southern re-
sort, and on the veranda of a sun
( ny spring afternoon sat a half dozen
/ old women knitting and talking gen
/ ealOgy. With them sat Emile. One
/ of the party sent the talk around to
/ the woung WOman's family. And is
your mother Susan Grigsby who was
so-and-so 2" mentioning the name.
4 yes" admitted Emile and the talk
drifted on
HObson's mother was told who
"Sue" Grigsby was. Soon after that
/ episode, in the World of March %,
! 1901, appeared the following: Cap
tain 2. B. Grigsby of $50 Park avenue
| last night authorized a denial of the
/ report from Greensboro, Ala, that his
/ daughter, Miss Emile Grigsby is en-
| gagged to Captain Richmond Pearson
! HobsOn. Miss Grigsby went to Green's
! borO last week to witness the pre-
| sentation to Captain HobsOn of a silver
] service from the admirers in various
states Miss Grigsby and Captain
/ Hobson have been acquainted half a
/ dozen years. She was born in Ken
/ lucky and her father commanded a
/ company Of ROosevelt's Rough Rid
I ers.
Father Dead for Years.
A most amazing illustration of the
| system used at $50 Park avenue to keen
up appearance. Emile Grigsby's father
/ had been dead since her childhood Yet
| somebody who carried out the appear
! ance of being her father unprecedented
( him and told the reporter at her house,
! under all circumstances making for
| cTedibility, these falsehoods.
That Emile has known Hobson for
years.
That he the supposed father. had
commanded a company in Roosevelt's
Rough Riders.
Moreover, he was old enough to have
passed for Emile Grigsby's father. Per