The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1915-11-18

yet he could not bring himself to be de-
spised of Blair should he tell him the
Stanley secret.
The spirits OF Blair rose correspond
ingiy. With Arthur gone, suspicion
would forever rest upon the hidden fu-
gitive! Blair heaved a sigh Of relief
and then said to Arthur, ''You 90 not
know my mothers cousin, Mrs. Bur
ton Randolph. who gives the grand ball
in Richmond tonight Come. let Us
have one fling, one good time together,
in memory Of the old days at Stanley
hall before yuu go to the west will
introduce you under auy name you
choose. There Is stunning young
New YORK Widow-lots Of money and
style about her-I want you to meet
Shes just my style and want your
approval Of her,"
Arthur hesitated q moment and then
realized that If the pursuit were still
hot on bis tral the last place he would
be sought for would be at high soci-
ETY. function. So be shook hands with
Blair end exclaimed heartily:
It'll go you, Blair! One god fling
before 60 west to make my fortune.
And IF ! make It, Blair, l promise you
that you shall share it."
Fop Arthur all his generous impulses
were now founded ON the desire 10
recompense Blair foH the heritage he
had, unknovingly till now, deprived
him of. And Arthur was young. For
him the strong, brotherty affection be
bore for Esther and the desire in his
heart to do justice to Blair were now
the MIN motives of his ifa And he
would have this farewell joyance with
Blair.
Blair TOOK him first to Abraham
Blooms private club" and here de-
spite Arthufs wiser counselS counsefs
the wisdom Of which be now wonder
ed C: himself, Blair plunged again ct
roulette and lost the money pe had
got on bis watch at the pawnbrosele
and hah Of what Arthur hal got from
tho same souce on the diamond from
the sky, Of which, Of cowse Blah
knew nothing.
CD TO Rtchnnud this night Of Mrs.
Randolph's ball came Hagar. She
brought with her EstheH from whom
she was resolved neVeg again to be
parted Hagar hruught also as half
servant half bodyguard her lieutenant
in her gypsy qneenshfp, Luke Lowell
Tom Blake, the detective, returned to
Richmond at her SUMMONS and met
her. 1t took but few Inquiries with
the means at Blake's command to 10
cate Blair Stanley. cutting q swath in
Richmonds gayest circles. 1t was with
surprise Hagar learned, and happy
surprise, too, that Blair Stanley was
alive and seemingly unintured the
while Arthur bad believed he bad kill
ed him.
Later In the evening Blake brought
her wnrd that Arthur was with Blair
under an assumed name and IL was
evident was going 10 the Randolph ball
with Blair that night.
On many occasions the thrifty Hagar
had turned such fashionable functions
as the Randolph ball to good account
She knew the idle rich welcomed the
diversion Of the imprumptu appearance
Of q gypsy fortune teller on such occa-
sions As a gypsy fortune teller she
determined to appear and confront Ar
thur and get the diamond ere he left
Richmond to make bis way in the
world.
Meanwhile a fair vision was ON the
threshold of Abraham Blooms private
Club" This fair vision was none 9th.
er than the stunningfy attired and viva
ctous woman Of the world, Vivian
Marston.
Abe's club was on a quiet side
street The supposed New York So
ciety belle" ran little risk Of being
seen by any Of Richmond's @best soci-
ETY. people" at In the afternoon as
she hurrie0y passed from her waiting
cab into the double doorway Of the
clubhouse"
Abraham Bloom received the sup
posed New York society leader" with
an astonishing air Of friendly familiar
ity. Vivian Marston may not have
been q society leader in New York,
as the rest Of Richmond supposed, but
it was true enough that she was
gay New Yorker, and Mr.. Bloom had
met her there on more occasions than
one when he had visited the gay me-
tropolis-
Surprised to see me In your town,
AbeP' asked Vivian gayly. "Well !
met one Of your society danes, Mrs
Randolph, at Palm Beach last winter.
I made q hit with her, and am here
as her guest
"She gives that big blowout you hear
so much about tonight. want to pick
uD some rich guy Of Richmond and
marry and settle down among the
southern aristocracy. have got plen-
ty of fine clothes, but I had to hook
my ice In New York to get them and
get here.
II want to beg, borrow or steal a