Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-09-09
BISMARCK DAILY TRIBUNE
CHAPTER VIII.
The New York Society "BsIle."

~ EANNHILE, desperate and
" fear stricken, Blair Stanley
was endeavoring to forget
his peril, present andiprospec.
tive, in wild and reckless indulgences
in Richmond. &
While his fugitive cousin lay in hum
blelodgings, Blair Stanleyelorded it at
a fine hotel, and every night found him
gambling at the exclusive, establish
sment Of Abe. Bloom. In desperation,
finding himself Cleaned out at Mr..
Blooms luxurious temple Of chance,
Blair had got that lstute gentleman to
cash his personal check on the Bank
Of Fairfax. Z
In a few days this would be returned
marked "No funds" Blair well knew,
but he hoped meanwhile to recoup his
losses and laugh in Abe Blooms hawk
like face as he made good the bum
check" out of the winning he ex.
pected to gain at Abe's own roulette
wheel.
But the $1,000 went the way Of the
$500 his mother had given him-back
into the Golfers Of the gambling house
keeper who had advanced the money
on the worthless check.
One desperate chance was left. Blair
,iesolyed to mxg his watch and, with
the proceeds invoke the wheels OF
chance again and by a streak Of luck,
who knows, win back all and so square
himself and the check when it came
back, for Blair found Richmond to his
liking. Then, too, lie worried over the
mysterious visit to Fairfax OF Tom
Blake. the detective. Who had hired
Blake?
|<a There was also the ball to be- given
t5y' Mrs. Burton Randolph, who was a
relative of his mother, and counted
upon Blair's presence at her grand
ball., the event OF the social year in
Richmond. ttt
Also Blair thought Of Vivian Mars
ton. Glorious Vivian, luxurious Vivian!
She had come to Richmond sworn
friend of Mrs. Randolph, who had met
her. the winter before at Palm Beach.
It was known Of Vivian Marston that
She was a wealthy and dashing young
widow, high In the circles Of New
York's -four hundred" '&s'
Blair Stanley had met her at his
mothers Cousins mansion, and Blair
had been first among those to fall vic
tim Of her charms.
. . lna41 ln2o Z. ~ !
Arthur Stanley entered the pawn
shop Of Ike Eloom;obrotlcr and some
said partner Of the %redoubtable Abe
Bloom, king of the Richmond gam
blers. The pawnshppfwas divided Into
partition spaces. Arthur saw TIE yul-
ture eyes Of 1saacsBleom CLEAN when
they fastened upon the diamond from
the sky, with It's antique chain and
curious setting. "A
Only too eagerly did the pawnbroker
hand over the $500 Arthur asked on it,
and only too eagerly did he hide it in
a drawer.
Arthur was about to slip from be-
hind the privacy partitions TO- the
street whelIth he heard q. voice say, u
want $50 on this watch" He stag
gered, hall fainting with fear and Joy,
against the partition. 0sao5f =
It was the voice Of Blair Stanley!
There could be nc mistake. In d re-
vulsion Of feeling to find he was not
a murderer and. that Blair was alive
and well Arthur threw himself around
the partition and into the arms of
Blair.
Somewhat surprised, but feigning Joy
also, Blair repeated his supposed cous-
ms cries Of wild delight. Then he
made haste to explain that Dr.. lee
had called him to his study and had
given him the diamond from the sky
and that, having done this, the doctor,
who was greatly agitated, had fallen
dead in his chair.
II was afraid I would be suspected
Of killing him for the diamond. How
could l explain when you caught hold
of me?", lied Blair glibly. II did not
mean any reflection upon Esther, as
YOU thought l did," he continued. II
only thought any alteration at such q
time and the doctor lying dead might
~jeopardize her good name. | was too
frightened to explain, and you were
too angry to listen to me.
Il was only stunned md got home
ali right. Bit there has been a de
tective hired, and 1 believe he viii
find some clew, and your evidence
would only tend to convict me, and !
am innocent"
Arthur reflected that DR.. Lee had
known he was the spurious heir n
that the diamond did properly belong
to Blair, in consequence. He did not
tell Blair the Stanley secret, that me-
Arthur, was but a gypsy changeling.
But, he resolved to stand by Blair ana
thus in reparation do what good ne
could until the time came when ne
might tell. So for the. time being ne
resolved to keep Hagar's sccret-ano
his own. e. IIS
Blair was quick to take advantage
Of Alrrthur's joyous and softenedl mood,
Il never will be able to prove. did
not kill DR.. Lee" he said, with affected
sadness. "True, there would not be
any proof to convict me, but the sus-
picion Of it would ruin me. You must