The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1915-11-04

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high resolve.
Esther does not know that Blair has
knowledge of John Powell and his
yacht But Blair, having no cause for
secrecy when he has arrived in Santa
Barbara. has not remained hidden at
a hotel, as Esther has, the discreet
Quabba also keeping from sight So
Blair has learned Arthur has left the
yacht and has returned to Los Angeles
on business.
Unless Esther has communicated
with Arthur. which Blair does not
deem likely. Arthur has no reason as
yet to suspect him, Blair knows. In
his daring way Blair is Indifferent He
telegraphs to Arthur he has arrived in
Santa Barbara and is disappointed in
missing him. Arthur realizes that he
is usurper, standing in the way of
Blair's birthright the Stanley heritage.
For this, if not for the old association
of their wild youth in Virginia, Arthur
has a generous desire to make amends
for the injustice he thinks he does
Blair.
It is Vivian's wish also to keep Blair
from Los Angeles. The time may come
when she may need him, though, when
she battles against Durand, the king
of diamonds, and the rest of the
pack" as they call themselves. But
just now she is not in open warfare
with the pack" She suggests TO Ar
thur that Blair stay and look after the
yacht in Santa Barbara and that later
they join him there for cruise all to-
gether. How she is to exert her wiles
upon Arthur In the proximity Of Blair
Is matter that Vivian leaves to the
time and the place.
Blair and the sailing master of the
yacht get their telegraphed Instructions
| from Arthur. and when Blair goes
aboard ne finds the sailing master and
a few of the men of one watch aboard,
| the rest of the crew having been given
shore leave in the absence of the
| owner
MAKE yourself at home, Mr. Stan
ley" says the sailing master. you
will find things in Mr.. Powell's cabin"
81 will need a good deal of fixing
| up" Blair explains laughingly. My
man and / got lost in the mountains
while hunting" And he indicated
Luke, who had come aboard with him.
Let your man go to the forecastle,
and I will see he is fitted out" said
the sailing master. .'As for you, sir,
take it from Mr.. Powelrs telegram you
are to help yourself to what you wish
OF his things till your own arrive"
The sailing master led Blair to Ar
thurs cabin and then said he would
take the launch to the wharf and
round up the crew in Santa Barbara
(which" he added. won't be hard to
do, as Santa Barbara is a temperance
town. 1t is only a question of which
Of the movie shows the men are at.
AS the launch painted to the wharf
the sailing master and the man run.
ming the launch were aware of a very
pretty girl in snowy yachting cos
tune being rowed in the direction OF
John Powell's yacht by a hunchback
of foreign aspect The sailing master
noticed the girl in the rowboat eyed
him keenly, but turned as though dis
appointed.
Arriving by the companionway, Els
ther cautioned Quabba to make no ex-
PLANTATION If questioned, as she wished
to give Arthur the happy surprise OF
facing him unannounced. But no sailor
on watch barred her way por Were
any questions shouted over tie rail to
! Quabba. The yacht swung idly at an
Choir, and such Of the crew as were on
/ the boat were in the foFecastle with
the gypsy fellow who had come aboard
with the friend of the owner Here
the bottle of liquor that Luke had
brought was augmented by some OF
the same quality one of the hospitabie
i sailors had in his bunk.
In Arthur's cabin Blair had refresh
ed himself with shower and had don
ned fresh linen and yachting suit of
Arthur's. The two young men were
OF the same size, and the uniform coat
and cap fitted Blair to a nicely
Esther, crossing the deck, saw 10
sailor or officer in charge she heard
some one stirring abaft and there. in
| what was evidently the owners cabin.
she noted a tail and stalwart young
man i'll uniform, his back turned to the
open door. Esther. tiptoed forward
and. pulling the diamond from the
sky out i'll view upon her neck, her
| lips had framed the word Arthur
when she found herself gazing horri-
fed into a mirror that reflected the
handsome but wicked face of Blair,
Esther turned with a cry for help
! and sped across the deck. There. from
the doorway to the forecastle. the
bulky form of a leerfng, sodden brute
creature faced her. It was Luke
Loyelli Esther turned and darted to
one side, missing the clutching grasp
of Blair Stanley by hairs breadth.
The sudden Revision from hope and
happiness to fear and despair had driv-
en- Esther to frenzy of sudden fright.
As though upon the wings of fear. she
fed. Hardly knowing what she did
save that she escaped her enemies, Es-
Their plunged over the sheer side of
| the yacht into the sea.
Down. down. down she sank in the
cold. wan water. There was ring
ing of death bells in her ears. pres
sure upon her heart that seemed about