The Springdale news., 1915-12-17
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAP.
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feud has existed between Colonel Ar thur Stanley and his cousin, Judge Lamar Stanley, over an heirloom, the diamond from the sky, found in fallen meteor by an ancestor. Also. the succession to the Stanley earldom in England may come to an American. When a daughter is born to the colonel and the mother dies the colonel buys gypsy boy and substitutes him Three years later the gypsy mother, having had no part in this bargain, steals the girl, Esther, reared In secret and leaves her son undetected as the heir. The gypsy has obtained possession of the dia- mond from the sky, and a document with the Stanley secret. Years later Hagaf, gypsy queen, returns to Virginia with Els ther Dr. Lee, the late Colonel Stanley's friend adopts Esther. Arthur Stanley, son of Hagar, falls in love with Esther, and sc does his companion and cousin, Blair Stanley, rightful male heir of Stanley. In stealing the diamond Blair causes the death of the doctor and tries later to put the blame on Arthur. who takes the gem.
 Arthur Stanley eludes his pursuers and joins Hagar who reveals his identity and upbraids him for his wild life. Needing money he pawns the diamond in Rich mond. At ball. at which an adventur- ess, Vivian Marston. wears the borrowed gem. Luke Lowell. Hagars gypsy guard, steals the diamond. Arthur leaves Rich
 
 gan grinder befriends Esther.
 Tom Blake, detective of Richmond who is hired by Hagar. produces finger prints convicting Blair. Hagaf proposes silence to Mrs. Stanley as the price ot Hagars and Esthefs being received ia Fairfax society. Blair strikes down fla gar and steals the finger prints, leaving the gypsy queen dernented, Marmaduke Smythe lawyer, arrives to announce Arthur Is her 10 The deceased Earl Of Stanley Learning Arthur is d fugitive he seeks Blair instead To win Vivian, Blair steals the diamond, later marrying her and leaving for the west. Their train is robbed, Vivian losing the diamond, which slain train robber drops in the desert The si0o,600 he stole is found by Arthur. now Known as John Powell. sheep herder. Luke Lowell driven from the camp after learning Hagars secret leaves to seek Blair. Hagar is under treatment and Es- ther is n Richmond society Abe Bloom. gambler. knows Biair's guilt and eovets the diamond
 The diamond is later picked up by an Indian woman. Dr. Lee, Arthur learns. died of heart disease. Becoming very rich he buys Stanley hall, sold at auetior, through Blake and also provides for Ha gar and Esther. Luke Lowell buys the dia- mond from the squaw, but loses it in fight Vivian. desiring aid 10 ensnare Ar thur, sends for Blair.
 Vivian is saved from drowning by Pow ell, who is infatuated by her. Smythe finds the diamond and gives it to Esther to deliver to Arthur Blair and Luke go to Arthurs yacht and find Esther there.
 Esther and Quabba escape while Blair and Luke battle. Blair in the meantime has joined Vivian in Los Angeles. DH- rand, king of diamonds" crook known to Vivian. goes 10 a saloon to try 10 dis cover the diamond There he meets Luke Lowell, Esther and Arthur appear on the scene. The diamond is lost i'll a melee Esther saves Arthur who is injured, and he goes to Los Angeles in care of the phy- sician-crook, Durand Esther follows and is refused admittance To see him. In the meantime the diamond Is found by two bill posters, one Of whom murders the other for 1t Arthur Is "doned" by Du rand. De Vaux and Vivian. although Blair. who has taken charge Of Arthur's bust ness affairs, protests.
 The diamond passes in dice play from the bill poster to Santlev. circus owner. who IS killed. and the diamond IS put up at auction part of his estate. Blair and Vivian faisify a telegram from Blake to Arthur. making Arthur believe he suffer ed from hallueination h thinking he saw Esther. Luke is erailroaded" to prison by Blair. At the auction is Homer Graydon. an aged admirer of Vivian, who has prom fsed to buy the diamond for her.