The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-10-21

tune.
the palatial steam yacht that she had
read In the papers would be delivered
to him in the beautiful bay of Santa
Barbara.
Her prospective prey had come on
horseback and had met the yacht
broker shortly before she had arrived
at the same hotel. He had donned the
expensive yachting attire that had
been sent here for him and was on his
way to the wharf as Vivian watched
from the window of her room in the
hotel and mased upon her plan of cam
paign.
"That is the new yacht the young
millionaire. John Powell. has just
bought, is 1t notY' she asked of the at
tentive hotel maid. The maid was
quick to assent. "Have you seen Mr..
Powell, ma'am?" the maid asked eager
ly. HE is so handsome all the young
ladies at the hotel are dying to meet
him.
@He is an old friend of mine said
Vivian, smiling TOO bad he went to
his yacht before | saw him. know he
would have taken me aboard" Then.
as though the idea had just occurred to
her. she clapped her shapely and gem
covered hands together and cried Il
know what | will 90. / wired here be-
fore / came that a sailboat should be
hired for me. The clerk told me the
owner of the sailboat had it waiting
for me anchored off the dock If |
hurry can sail out to the yacht before
Mr.. Powell win be through looking it
over and getting under way for the
trial trip. Here. help me into these
clothes. And with the hotel maids
assistance Vivian quickly attired her
self In a fetching sailor costume, which
helped to set off her rich beauty to adj
vantage.
Calling taxi. she drove to the wharf
to find the sailboat owner waiting for
her. Declaring she was a good sailor
of pleasure craft and could handle a
small boat as well ss any man-which
was true enough-Vivian Marston re-
fused the assistance Of the bewildered
sailboat owner. She had him run up
the sail for her and left him at the
wharf and headed the pretty craft in
the direction of the graceful yacht an
chored far out. Already, with steam
up and anchor weighed the yacht was
ready to start of on its first voyage
under the command of its new owner
John Powell
Far away in the Sierras, in that wild
region where lie the Lady Veronica
- mines. owned. like the great white
yacht in Santa Barbara bay, by John
Powell. another fair but younger wo-
man seeks also this fortunate young
man. Reused from the sluInber of ex-
haustion. Esther and Quabba FASTENED
along the mountain road toward the
now deserted mine. BY some unfortu-
nate chance the evil pair who pursued
and who had lost them in the fight in
the night now sighted them again.
Ouabba was first to sense the renewed
pursuit. There is Blair Stanley and
Luke Lovell." he cried. Esther gath
cred up her skirts and ran like young
frightened fawn beside her faithful
protector.
.The mine is not far away. We
heard the whistle at daybreak quite
plainly" Esther painted. Arthur is
there. Arthur win save us"
But she little knew there was none tc
save her at the place of refuge. Arthur
was far away. and designing and un
scrupulous, beautiful woman was con
summating desperate plan to ensnart
him.
Nearer and nearer came the speeding
Luke and Blair. Quabba seized Esther
by the hand and turned sharply dowI
the rocky hillside where the sheds a
the mine mouth could be seen at the
bottom of the wild gorge far below
Over rock and shrub. down the dizzy
hillside. Quabba and Esther fed. Blu
the more sturdy and agile Luke and
Blair gained on them.
Suddenly Quabba held back himself
and Esther with an effort. They haC