Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1916-02-28

n1. IESViNH0 VI
make friends with Hagar's
I'LL supposed daughter. III Arthur
Stanley, 30 called. was not
the rightful heir. Blair Stanley was
But this left the girl heir to Stanley
hall. and all could be conserved and
all be well II Blair might return and
marry Esther.
Even though Hasar recovered her
faculties, she must remain silent a 10
Blair's guilt were he ESther's husband.
thought Mrs. Stanley. As for Arthur
Stanley. so called. there was Sigh, fear
OF his returning.
The shrewd mother OF Blair Stanley
guessed now the true cause Or Arthur's
fight and continued absence. II was
because he elso had learned the Stan
ley secret.
At StanieyshaIl Esther. made a won
an and r-solure by all the tragic occur
Fences that OF late had befallen her.
resolved IL was her. duty 20 examine
further into the documents In Ha-ar's
brass bound box. Esther had en-
dcnvored valnly to lift the cloud from
Hagsr's mind by earnest inquiries and
kindly bcseechings. But Hagnr would
only moan. My son. give me back my
son. my little babe
Then Esther read the documents
The proof was plain. She was In her
rightful place NJ Stanley hall. for she
was Esther Stanley. But she resolved.
through the love she bore for him she
had known rs Arthur Stanley. that she
would take the secret 10 the grave.
She would spare Arthur the shame she
knew lis proud spirit would feel.
What 10 her We're place and position
here in Fairfax among n proud people
who. SO far rs their women folk were
concerned had ignored her?
Yet when We are young we have our
hopes anu dreams Esther's hope and
dream was the return OF Arthur. the
sharing Of the secret with him. aud
his love. Then all would be well. SO
il was that Esther was not wholly sur
priscd when Blair StanIey's mother
called az Stanley ball ana pro1ered her
friendship and assistance.
lutlt WtIe ub CuuultuttS tAIuil-el
between them. Esther suspected that
Blair's mother vaguely knew. but In
her loneliness. and having no friend
save the humble though devoted Quab-
ba. Esther was glad 10 accept the
profered friendship OF her austere
the tie.
Mrs. Stanley suggested that HaGar be
taken 10 Richmond for treatment for
her mentnl afiiiction. She also insisted
that Esther should 20 to Richmond
and be introduced into the best circles
there by Mrs. Burton Randolph.
IL may have been that Mrs. Burton
Randolph stood In fear Of her austcre
kinswoman. Mrs. Judge Stanlcy-fear
that was augmented by the fact that
Blair's mother knew the true character
Of Vivian Marstun.
Ii also ma have beer that the sweet
nature and beauty OF Esther and her
gentle breeding appealed to Mrs. Ran
dolph more than her fears OF Blair's
mother. 1t always had been Mrs. Ran
dolph's pet diversion TO have a protegee.
Al any rate. Mrs Randolph made
Esther II welcome guest and p~rotegec
and assisted BIair's mother In securing
the leading alienisi OF Richmond 20
treat Hagar for her mental infirmity.
Quabba had been left behind M
Stanley ball. but Quabba suSpicioned
hat Elair's mother was m old foe
with n new face OF friendship As al
ways. nc. resolved % guard Esther
and be followed her 70 Richmond.
Mrs. Randolph had suggested 10
Blair's mother. when she found Mrs.
Stanley desired her sons return. 10
consult with that astutc private de
t~ective. Tom Blake. In settling the
claims that were against the reckless
Blair In Richmond
Blake effected a conference between
Blair's mother and Abe Bloom the