The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-10-14

al want the diamond from the sky!"
perfdy against Blair, who still insist
emily proclaimed his innocence with an
air of half indignation. half puzzled
good nature.
Il am sure / do not know what to
say!'' moaned Mrs Randolph. But
as for accusing Blair of such dreadful
things, hasn't the poor boy told you
that you are mistaken
Seeing that Mrs. Randolph was utter
~ unable to believe Blair guilty of his
despicable actions and utterly astound-
ed at the cool effrontery of Blair and
his brazen denials. Esther dismissed
her one faithful. loyal friend and gave
him directions to proceed to Los An
geles with part of the money that had
so mysteriously come into her hands.
Il will follow you" whispered Es-
Their. II viii not stay in this house.
where Mrs. Randolph. as Blair's cousin.
cannot or will not see how villainous
and despicable he u.s.
Esther took train to Los Angeles a
week after Quabba had departed for
the west, taking with him the pony
and piano cart. of which he was in
ordinately proud, together with Clar-
ence. his simian collector of external
revenue.
Quabba had hardly superintended the
unloading of his travelling outfit from
the express cur aus s.ss.uresI lodging
for himself When Esther arrived In
Los Angeles also.
Quabba. whose tastes We're bohemian
IL not vagrom. permitted himself
change of costume so far as TO take
out his earrings and don straw hat,
the very shape and feel of which he
detested, and Immediately sought for
John Powell
Under this name Arthur Stanley was
a leading figure In Los Angeles. and
Quabba soon found himself at the Of
fees of the Good Hope Oil company
Here supercilious office boy and a
understanding telephone girl reluctant
" informed the strange looking in
quirer that Mr.. John Powell had gone
far off into the distant Sierras to ac-
quire some mines. 1t would seem that
John Powell. the new oil millionaire,
was extensively branching out into
other industrial investments.
It was this same information, but
more agreeably given, that was vouch-
safed to Blair when he called later In
the day at the suggestion OF Vivian
Marston when Blair had joined that
viyacious lady. who had married him
In haste for the diamond and parted
from him In equal celebrity at the loss
| of it.
From the beginning Vivian made
their relative positions clear to Blair.
You are very dear boy" she said
"and there is a refreshing air of youth
fulness about your wicked ways. But
you are so delightfully."- incapable OF
doing the right thing when there is 9
wrong thing to do at the same time
that cannot be too closely concerned
1 with you in the matters we have II
/ hand
/ IT want the diamond from the sky
don't care where it is or who has 1t
/ would sell my soul for It, and
/ would not care how many lives stood
i In the way of my desire; no, not ever
/ lie your life was one OF them, my deal
i boyr'
i Blair's eyes glittered murderously
/ you go too far with me, Vivianv' ht
j painted. No one knows better thar
i you that there isn't anything / wouldn'
/ dare for you.
/ Vivian seated herself on the edge o.
| the table, still keeping Blair at his dis
lance with significant gesture of calm
earnestness.
That is just the trouble" she an
| swered coolly There isn't anything
you would not dare for me or for any
! thing else you desire-Esther Harding
| for instance.
Blair WINGED. .Ah,'' continued vi
Wan mockingIy, Il see that shot Wen
home, and it was a chance one Yol
dare to love me. and you dare to Love
the sav and tirnid gLnsE girl