The Ocala evening star., 1915-10-07
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAP
TERS

A feud has existed between Colonel Ar
thur Stanley and his cousin, Judge Lamar
Stanley, over an heirloom, the diamond
from the sky, found in a fallen meteor by
an ancestor. Also, the succession to the
Stanley earldom in England may come to
an American. When a daughter is born
to the colonel and the mother dies, the
colonel buys gypsy boy and. substitutes
him. Three years later the gypsy mother,
having had no part in this bargain, steals
the girl. being reared in secret and leaves
her son undetected as the heir. The gyp-
sy has obtained possession of the diamond
from the sky, and a document with the
Stanley secret. When Esther is grown
beautiful young girl, Hagar, now gypsy
queen, returns to Virginia with her. DR..
Lee, the late Colonel Stanley's friend,
adopts Esther, but demands that Hagar
turn over to him the diamond from the
sky. Arthur Stanley, son of Hagar, falls
In love with Esther and so does his COM
panion and cousin, Blair Stanley, rightful
male heir of Stanley. In stealing the dia-
mond Blair causes the death Of the doc
tor and tries later to put the blame on
Arthur, who takes the diamond from him
The sheriff attempts to take Arthur into
custody, but he eIudes his pursuers and
joins Hagar, who reveals his identity and
upbraids him for his wild life. Needing
money. he pawns the diamond in Rich
mond. At a ball, at which a supposed
New York belle, Vivian Marston. Is the
guest OF honor. Arthur and Blair find the
diamond on the visitor. She Is an adven-
turess who has borrowed it
Luke Lowell. Hagar's gypsy guard,
steals the diamond. and to avoid detection
drops 1t into a mail box. Arthur leaves
Richmond and goes to the west. The dia-
mond passes into q mail bag, picked up
by Quabba, organ grinder. Quabba's
monkey steals the diamond. Hagar takes
Esther to Stanley hall.
Tom Blake. a detective OF Richmond,
who is hired by Hagar, produces finger
prints convicting Blair. Hagar proposes
silence to Mrs. Stanley as the price of
Hagar's and Esther's being received In
Fairfax society. Blair strikes down, Ha-
gar and steals the finger prints, leaving
the gypsy demented. The diamond is
found by negro boy and is taken by
tramp. The latter Is murdered by Hung
Ii. 1t is stolen just as Summing party
enters Hung LIS den- Hagar Is again
with Esther among the gypsies- Marina
duke Smythe, lawyer, arrives to announce
Arthur is heir to the deceased Earl of
Stanley. Learning Arthur Is a fugitive he
seeks Blair instead. To win Vivian, Blair
steals the diamond. later marrying her
and leaving for the west. Their train Is
robbed. Vivian losing the diamond, which
a slain train robber drops in the desert
The 100000 he stole is found by Arthur.
now known as John Powell. sheep herder
Vivian deserts Blair, telling him he must
regain the diamond for her. Luke Lowell
driven from the camp after learning Ha-
gars secret. leaves to seek Blair. HagaT
Is under treatment and Esther is in
Richmond society, protege of Mrs. Stan
ley. who suspects her real name, and of
Mrs. Randolph. Abe Bloom, gambler, who
knows Blair's guilt, covets the diamond
and calls it the price of his secrecy. Blair
will not listen to Lowell. and Arthur also
insists on his silence. Blair returns to
Richmond and. instigated by his mother.
pays unwelcome court to Esther, Mrs.
Stanley asserting Vivian had been married
before. The diamond is picked up by an
Indian woman. Esther, resolving 20 find
Arthur, leaves Richmond with Quabba-
DR.. Lee, Arthur learns, died of heart dis
ease. Becoming very rich he buys Stan
ley hall, sold at auction. through Blake,
and also provides for Hagar. Luke Low
ell buys the diamond from the sQuaw, but
loses it in a fight on Santa Barbara bay.
the gem sinking. At the auction Smythe
buys mounted deer head.