The Ocala evening star., 1915-08-05

reIauve or MS moLRer. ana counted |
upon Blair's presence at her grand !
ball, the event OF the social year In
Richmond
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 ar Palm Beach
II was known Of Vivian Marston that
she was 4 wealthy and dashing young
widow, high in the circles OF New
Hork's -four hundred"
Blair Stanley had met her at his
mothers cousins mansion. and Blair
had been first among those TO fall vic
tim Of her charms.
Arthur Stanley entered the pawn
shop OF Ike Bloom, brother and some
said partner OF the redoubtable Abe
Bloom, king OF the Richmond gam
blers. The pawnshop was divided into
partition spaces. Arthur saw the vul-
ture eyes OF Isaac Bloom CLEAN when
they fastened upon the diamond from
the sky, with its antique chain and
curious setting.
Only too eagerly did the pawnbroker
hand over the $500 Arthur asked on II,
and only too eagerly did he hide IL I'm
a drawer.
| Arthur was about to slip from be
/ hind the privacy partitions to the
| street when he heard a voice say, Il
want $50 on this watch" He stag
/ gered, half fainting with fear and Joy,
! against the partition
II was the voice OF Blair Stanleyl
| There could be no mistake. In a re-
| vulsion Of feeling to find he was Aot
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-
in's 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.
"I was afraid 1 would be suspected
of killing him for the diamond How
could explain when you caught hole
of met" lied Blair glibly. 81 did no
mean any reflection upon Esther, al
YOU thought / did" he continued =
: only thought any alteration at such
time and the doctor lying dead Nigh
+ ieopardize her good name. / was to-
: frightened TO explain, and you Wer'
too angry to listen to me.
'I was only stunned and got hom'
hna h<aar n
e tective hired, and / believe he VII
r find some clew, and your ev1denc
would only tend to convict me- ana
am Innocent!
Arthur reflected that DIR. Lee ha'
known he was the spurious heir an
that the diamond did properly belon
TO Blair in consequence. He lid no
tell Blair the Stanley secret, that nt
Arthur, was but a gypsy changenni
But he resolved to stand by Blair an
thus I'm reparation do what good
| could until the time came when
| might tell. So for the time being b
| resolved to keep Hagar's secret-an
/ his own.
Il Blair was quick to take advantae
i of Arthur's joyous and softened moo'
II Il never will be able to prove L di
i not kill DIR. Lee" he said. with affecte
II sadness. True, there would not
II | any proof to convict me. but the su
II picion of it would ruin me. Xou mu
III stand by me- Arthur.
III And Arthur, in the foolish impulsiN
generosity OF his nature. promise
The relief he felt at seeing Blair ally
placed him in the mood To promt
anything that Blair might ask
Then. too. with an inward sham
he realized that after all he was 6
4 impostor and stood In Blair's way, an
yet he could not bring himself to be
spised OF Blair should he tell him Il
al Stanley secret.
ar The spirits Of Blair rose correspon
co ingly. With Arthur gone, suspici'
--oIild forever rest uncn the hidden