The Springdale news., 1915-09-24
SYNOPSIS OF PRECEDING CHAP
 TIERS.

A feud has existed between Colonel Ar thur Stanley and his cousin, Judge Lamat Stanley, over an heirloom, the diamond from the sky. found in fallen meteor by an ancestor. Also. the succession to the Stanley earldom ill England may come to an American. When a daughter Is born 10 the colonel and the mother dies. the colonel buys a 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 undeteeted as the heir. The gyp- sy has obtained possession of the diamond from the sky. and document with the Stanley secret. When Esther is grown a beautiful young girl, Hagar, now gypsy queen. returns to Virginia with her. Dr. Lee, the late Colonel Stanleys 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.
 Blair. escaping. infers that he has left Esther's room. Arthur forces him to fight a duel in which Blair is only stunned. The sheriff attempts to take Arthur but he eludes his pursuers and joins Hagar, who reveals his identity and upbrads 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 it into mail box A sheriff tries to arrest Arthur on the murder charge He escapes from Richmond and goes to the west. The diamond passes into mail bag. picked up by Quabba, organ grinder. Quabba's monkey steals the diamond Hagar takes Esther to live at 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 demeuted The diamond is found by a negro boy and is taken by tramp The latter is murdered by Hung Ii It is stolen just a summing party enters Hung Lis den. Hagar is again with Esther among the gypsies. Marma- 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 s100.000 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 Ia- gar's secret, leaves to seek Blair. Hagar is under treatment and Esther is in Richmond society, pr0tege of Mrs. Stan ley, who suspects her real name and of Mrs Randolph, Abe Bloom, gambler. who knows Blairs guilt, eovets the diamond and calls 1t 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 mafher pays unweleeme court to Esther, MEa- Stanley asserting Vivian had been married before. The diamond is picked up by an Indian woman. Esther. resolving to Ind Arthur, leaves Richmond with Quabba as attendant