The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-12-01
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAP
TIERS.

A 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 a 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-
naond from the sky, and document with
the Stanley secret. Years later Hagaf,
gypsy queen returns to Virginia with Es-
ther. DIR. Lee, the late Colonel Stanley's
friend, adopts Esther. Arthur Stanley, son
Of Hagar. falls in love with Esther, and so
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 a ball. at which an adventur-
ess Vivian Marston, wears the borrowed
gem, Luke Lowell. Hagar's gypsy guard,
steals the diamond, and to avoid detection
drops it into a mail box. Arthur leaves
mond passes into mail bag, picked up
by Quabba, organ grinder. Quabba's
monkey steals the diamond. Hagar takes
Esther to Stanley hall.
Tom Blake, a detective of Richmond
who is hired by Hagar produces finger
prints eonvicting Blair Hagar proposes
silence TO Mrs. Stanley as the price of
Hagar's and Esther's being received in
Fairfax society. Blair strikes down Ha-
gar and steals the finger prints, leaving
the gypsy queen demented. Marmaduke
Smythe, lawyer, arrives to announce
Arthur is heir to the deceased Earl of
Stanley. Learning Arthur is 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
a slain train robber drops in the desert
The 100000 ne stole is found by Arthur.
now known as John Powell, sheep herder.
Vivian deserts Blair, telling him he must
regain the diamond for her. Luke Lowell
driven from the camp after learning Ha-
gar's secret. leaves to seek Blair. Hagar
is under treatment and Esther is in Rich
mond society. Abe Bloom, gambler, knows
Blair's guilt and covets the diamond. He
calls it the price of his secrecy.
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 auction,
through BIake. ana also PROVIDES LOT t1a-
gar and Esther, Luke Lowell buys the dia-
mond from the squaw. but loses il in a
fight on Santa Barbara bay. the gem sink
ing. Vivian, desiring aid to ensnare Ar
thur, sends for Blair.
Esther and Quabba. also Blair. go to
the California mines to seek Arthur.
Smythe is sent west by Blake. Vivian
Marston is saved from drowning by Pow
ell, who is infatuated By her Smythc
finds the diamond and gives il to Esther
to deliver to Arthur. Blair and Luke go
TO the yacht in Arthur's absence and find
Esther there
Esther and Quabba escape while Blair
and Luke battle. Blair in the meantime
has joined Vivian in Los Angeles. Du-
rand. liking of diamonds" crook known
to Vivian, goes to a saloon near the mines
In hope that he can learn the whereabouts
of the diamond. There he meets Luke
Lowell. Esther and Arthur appear on the
scene. The diamond is lost in a melee
Esther saves Arthur who is injured, and
he goes to Los Angeles in care Of the ply
sician-crook, Durand. Esther follows and
is refused adn1ittance to see him. In the
meantime Smythe has hid the diamond in
a tree. It is later found by two bill post
ers, one of whom murders the other for
the diamond. Arthur is "doped'' by Du-
rand, De Vaux and Vivian. although Blair
who has taken charge OF Arthur's bust
ness affairs. protests.