Arizona republican., 1916-01-03

A I or not. He who had been Arthur
wv Stanley and John Powell, alike
wastrel and prohigate and yet
fondly beloved, had mounted the
stairway of the wind and rode upon the
wings of the morning, without fear and
without hope. He had dealt with destiny
and had won BY some miracle OF the com
monplace the falling aeroplane had struck
a low, thick. sturdy tree and the man
plunging to death had been thrown up into
the canvas wing Of the bird machine, and
so. save that he stunned by the jar
had escaped unframed.
The wondering gypses chafed his hands
and brow; one put brandy flask to his
lips and forced a few of its fiery drops be
tween the clenched teeth. All the while
Esther held his head upon her lap and
great joy filled her being, for she knew
he lived and had come back to her shed
OF the husk of sin and selfshness. And SO
when he opened his eyes he looked into
Esther's and they both read what their
lips could not utter-forgiveness love. and
happiness!
They bore Arthur back to the gypsy camp
near by in wondering silence. and then
Esther relieved the gypsy woman watching
by the couch of Hagar and whispered to
the dying woman "Can you bear a great
happiness?"
smile TRANSPORTED the wan face of
Hagar " know the good news you bring"
she murmured. Arthur, my dearr5on, is
here"
President in the face of death, Hagar also
knew that the husl of evil had fallen from
Arthur and that the wings of the morning
had waited clean strength to his soul He
leaned his head against that loving, tired
breast and l1new-full deep. and satisfying
that a mothers prayer was indeed a
charm against harm. above all diamonds!
In those few moments of deep rapture
Hagar realized at last that all her sorrows
and sacrifices had not been in vain. Her
son. parted from her since his birth hour
was in her arms at Iast-the man she had
always hoped that ne would grow to be-!
She lafd Esther's hand in his and breathed
a final blessing upon these two she loved
above all eIse-and this gentle, yet
strong heroic soul passed to its reward
This was the news that Quabba came
sadly Lack to find This was the news that
wrenched his faithful. humble soul. But
Esther and Arthur did not weep. They felt
that Hagar had passed in joy beyond com
prehension, and Esther had no cause for
tears and Arthur had cause too deep for
them. They gazed upon the calm face of
Hagar hand in hand while Arthur pledged
his vows gain to be whole of heart and
body as the dead would wish
After Hagar had been laid to rest the
gypsies. led ~ Arthur, now calling himself
by the name of Harding, journeyed on back
to fair Virginia To- their mountain rendez-
vous in the Blue Ridge The journey
lcng and slow and yet a happy one for the
fond lovers. As it, in truth, the evil husk
had fallen from him in the plunge from
the clouds that B!air's treacherous tanper-
ing with the aeroplane had caused. Arthur
had found the drug addiction and its desire
pass from him. If it was by a struggle
with the flesh he did not show it. His eyes
grew bright; his tanned face glowed with
happiness, and ever through the and
shade Esther his beloved. rode by his side
her tender hand in his.
So, while these happy lovers journey
across a nations breadth with the simple
gypsy folk. how fares it with the great
of earth?
How fares it with Blair Stanley and his
fair wife. who Vivian Marston? Have
they not everything their hearts nave long
desired? They have the wealth of John
Powell for Blair next of kin when
ii was proved the supposedly dad John
Powell Arthur Stanley, fugitive. They
have the diamond from the sky and the
Stanley earldom. for to these things long
desired Blair also is heir next Of kin.
And Luke Lowell with a face crushed be-
yond recognition, lies in western grave