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- , SM,«WFor!,OOO Word* or Less ’C . |br m Um For a Sbobbl to “THE DIAMOND FROM THE SKY" Tte American Film Mamtfac taring Company’* Ficturixed Romeatic Nord In Chapters. TMe eentoat is open to any man. WMMtfi or duld who i • not connoctode directly ar indirectly, with tte Film Camyany er Um newspapers paMiab* ia^l Um continued ate^^p • He liiera^^r ability la neceeaery to qaalify aa a Yoeareadvieedteeee thecoatlaaed gtataplay >» the theatera where it will 'be abeam—to read the story *■ it rune aaary wrath aad then aaad in year Ml^^Mtione ContootAnto ntc<«r/ con fine tlM&f contritentions tlio oo^vol to 1,000 towrAr or loot. It ia wo nmi tnm io wwißui SYNOPSIS OF FRBCKWNG CHAP TIRA A tend has existed between Colonel Ar thur Stanley and Ida cruris. Judge Lamar Stanley, over an heirloom. the diamond from the aky. found in a fallen meteor b* an anoeator. Also, the aucceaaion to the Stonlty earldom in England may oome to an American. When a daughter ia born to the colonel aad the mother dice, the colonel buye a gypey boy and eubatitutee him. Three years later the gypey toother, having had no part tn thia bargain, steals the girl, being reared in secret, and leave* her son undetected as the heir. The gyp ay has obtained paaßaarton of the diamond from the sky. and a document with the Stanley secret. When Esther io grown a beautiful young girl. Hagar, now gypsy queen, returns to Virginia with her. Dr. Imo. the late Colonel Stanley's friend, adlnpto Esther, but demands that Hagar turn over to him the diamond from the aky. Arthur Stanley, son of Hagar, folia to tore with Esther and so does bls oom punton and cousin. Blair Stanley, rightful male heir of Stanley. In stealing the die mood Blair causes the death of the doc tor aad trios later to. put the blame on Arthur, who taken tiro diamond from him The sheriff attetapts to take Arthur into oantody. but ho eludes his pursuers and JahM Hagar, who reveala hie identity and Upbraids him for his wiM life. Needing money, he pawns the diamond in Rlch scoA At a ball, at which a supposed - Tork baUe, Vivian Marston, la the f honor, Arthur and HKUr find the m the visitor. Bh^ is aa adven .Mß borrowed It J«kr- XMVtol. Bagar-s gypsy guard, toah the diamond. an>' 'o ovoid detection fry it into a man box. Arthur leaves Mmo-o* aad goes to the ti cat The dia •tfrd passes into a mail hng. picked up ’ Quabba, organ grinder .nabba s ■"V atoala tbs ifsnionC. Hagar takes tar tn Sts* e of Richmond. . produces finget Hagar proposes as the price of ^lng received in MRMrtkz society. Blair strWWT down Jia 'gar and steals the finger prints, leaving '‘'the gypey demented. The diamond is found by a negro boy and is taken by a tramp. Ths latter is murdered by Hung IA It is stolen just as a slumming party enter* Hung Li's 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 h> sei Its Blair instead. To win Vivian. Blair steals the diamond, later marrying her aad leaving for the west. Their train Is robbed. Vivian losing the diamond, which a slain train robber drops in the desert Tbs 000.0*0 he stole is found by Arthur. Bow known as John Powell, sheep herder Vivian deserts Blair, telling him he must Ti- the diamond for her. Luke Lovell, driven from the camp after learning Ha , Bar's secret, leaves to seek Blair. Hagar "to under treatment and Esther is in Richmond society, protege of Mrs. Stan ) ley. who suspects her real name, and of Mra. Randolph. Abo Bloom, gambler, who . knows Blair's guilt, covets the diamond I aad cans it the price of his secrecy. Blair . win not listen to Lovell, and Arthur also I toatets on his silence. Blair returns to Richmond and. instigated by his mother, pa/e unwelcome court to Esther, Mrs Stanley asserting Vivian had been married before. The diamond is picked up by an MU" woman. Esther, resolving to 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. Luks Lov ell buys the diamond from the squaw, but loess It in a fight on Santa Barbara bey. the gem sinking. At the auction Bmyth< t buys a mounted deer head. CHAPTER XXV. J The Man In the Mask. UNDER the moon and with the boom of the surf falling dully on Ms Bars, spent, panting, chilled to the bone. Lake Dov ell drew bls dripping balk tip on the sand aad for a few angnlabed. aching moments Cait all oft qnataao at death tera yet cornea the dulltaß p rarefn tones uef dtoeotattoa. 1. Vaguely he hand hr < tte eh ruts x SMB fend tb*WVtftbmtkHMl fit IMMS '&d footsteps eieorMii ■meaai eanee Way of tte dot*. ; For a MFtrtet moment* at aagntah. forter* ted fotigna the racklew gypsy, ,tearing •» *■*. *•••* BW* wtatter hejgK«U or fell into the HNwlSflHßVfoah Bat with ra- aMa came fear. to the murky we toßfiath the moon a brine etran aateeepae heaved with the tide. What •tower had bo to give to Me taeaaiee atßMdteg thia dead aceoeapßce or Me MHBg There had been a stror gb la tte teat, a death eetotat fa foe Mtoß * cry aereae the algM. a gate Dae bMoane cry and then Mtooa AM *gw thesheatiagaeawdapeaHto pier aaasehtog with aafw apae amas Ai wagm tor toe tea dead. Aad the dtoasaad toM toe sky? it Mtßew toe dtaateM MM* toe ami IMiißtoad^ptaiß 0g to the terror fiU'dnMM tNtfXM eetol^beM M* M—M SI?? 7 -- ‘ 1 In bands anon and evil, the dlamondJ would not abids, and with all the tew ror of the night upon him Luke Lovell felt relieved that this talisman at woe lay at the bottom of the bey. Rested now. be rose to his foot and staggered away in the darkness, as be realized the pursuit was coming in bis direction. Let tbe diamond stay with tbe dead; let the living answer thb enigma of tbe struggle and cries in the night upon the waters as best they might, Luke Lovell resolved on flight and distance between himself and the diamond now in the deeps. Sunrise finds him far bnck tn tbe mountains, and such is the influence •f the great fear that has been upon him that in tbe desperation of hi* acute if uot chronic reformation Luke Lovell asks and secures work In tbe capacity of blacksmith’s heliier at a forge at the mountain mines Now while be works and works well, for all gypsies are tinkers and smiths when they do or will work, let us sec what has become of the others whose destinies are concerned with tbe gem. Arthur, known as John Powell, since striking oil has become possessed of the touch of Midas. He prospers and waxes In riches and power and Is intoxicated with his own success. It is not that be has lost thought and hopes and affection for Esther, but Esther Is far away, and be is young, and tbe adulation that men render and women, too— ia sweet to him. Already in tbe oil fields of California be to known as “the golden man.” He dreams of empires, as Cecil Rhodes dreamed and realised in Africa. His money is not hoarded, his mind is upon mines, fruit farms, vast cattle ranches, manufacturing plants and all forms or financial and commercial activities. Tbe quiet lanes of Virginia, the tur moils of his reckless youth that enllv ened them, seem far away Since he found tbe outlaws' plunder tn the des ert and made it tbe lever with which be moved poverty and hardship from his way money has become to Arthur a mighty thing. In his ambitious plans and activities Arthur deems that money will do all He sends money to his agents, the se cretive Richmond detective. Blake. thinking be does well and that this money will aid Esther and Hagar, while be plays with time and destiny at high stakes in far California. And ever the dark eyes of Vivian Marston are on him. But she keeps aloof and bides her time. Here at last is a prey worth waiting tbe hour to strike at She resolves to play the game boldly and well. She has need of helpful assistance. Her thought turned to Blair. She knows that for some strange reason, inexplicable to both Blair and herself, Arthur Stanley had sacrificed himself, borne even the onus of murder, con fessed by flight murder be knew him self guiltless bf and Biair implicated. But why? Th> she did not know, nor did she care. She only knew that Arthur would ^t, tiptray Blair and that Blair would not betray Arthur. She knew that while Blair secretly, yet with Intense bitterness, hated his supposed cousin. Arthur had eagerly sacrificed himself for Blair. And now that Arthur, as John Powell, was indeed a golden man. Vivian remembered his strange attachment for Blair and thought It well to apprise Blair of the change in the fortunes as well as the name of Arthur Stanley nud have Blair come H i / J SgjMLjfjp 1 l Hl £mb ** M Lake Lovsll Warks aa a Blaokamith'a Helper. out to tbe west as a willing and valua ble accomplice in her designs to strip tbe golden mas of ail bls gold. In Fairfax Blair was surprised to receive a brief but amiable letter from Vivian. The letter read : Loe Angeles Oept. a My Dear Boy—Am sorry wo parted In eager about the diamond. Arthur Stan- Icy, under ths nams of John Powsll haa struck it rich in oil bora Too bettor Jota me and lot bygones bs bygonss. Lev lagiy. VIVIAN. Blair had crushed tbe note aad woo dared. In the presence at Vivian Blair was as a man uader a toxic epelL But be mmbMMI wRB Mttimim ber MH aM eetenfnJ dtoaatoml of Mm the bod mfiMtod Mm. given bereelf to Mm for the dhmond from the oky. Be had risked Ms Ufa for H and her. Yet when the train rabbets bad deohoCed them of the graat aera aha had thrown Mm aeMo and aeeeked Man Aad nsR aha Meded Mm and mat tar hha. Bkatr wan yanns, tan Mnadid aad army nataraßolaoß aad TEFWeot and beautiful devetopmeut of ^tiier’a character and person, now that be was relieved of the intoxicat ing presence of Vivian, bad roused tn Blair's breast a longing for Esther that be thought was love. Was it true, as Abe Bloom, the gam bier, bad hinted, aud Abe Bloom had knowu the lady of old. that Vivian Marston possesawl several husbands and that her marriage, secret uud hasty, to Blair in Richmond previous to their flight with the diamond was null and void? Blair’s mother bad taunted him with this and had lightly dismissed the thoughts of Vivian and the marriage from ber mind. It was Blair’s mother also who constantly inspired him with thoughts of Esther. The very day the letter had come from Vivian to Blair Blair’s mother had received a letter WHHn ■H Vivian Marston Thinks of Blair In Farsway Virginia. from Lawyer Hunter, tbe legal adviser to tbe Stanleys, aud who aa referee in bankruptcy bud charge of tbe sale of Stanley liall when it went to Detective Blake as highest bidder for some uu Known client. In thia letter from Lawyer Hunter, a letter in reply to some queries Mrs. Stanley had made, the lawyer hud written: Dour Mrs. Stanley—ln reply to your In quiry the diamond from tbe aky la legally tbs property of any sole heir of tbe late Colonel Stanley, whether a eon or daugh ter, Irrespective of family tradition re garding It and the earldom of Stanley, etc Very truly. RALPH HUNTER, SR.. Attorney at Law. Mm Stanley bad shown this letter to Blair. “You know my auapiciona,” she re marked. “I have reasons to believe that this girl. Esther Harding, to the real and only heir to all that Colonel Stanley died possessed of. We have no proof of this, but I believe tbe gyp sy woman. Hagar Harding, possessetl such proof, und the girl now has It. "Whatever this proof is, it can be as sumed that tbe girl carries It with ber. especially now that she has disappear ed. She would not be likely to leave so important a document in any hid Ing place. “We cannot move in tbe matter le gally, for suspicions are not evidence,” Mm Stanley went on. "Any lawsuit might mean the return of Arthur Stan ley to tell the truth so far as be knows It regarding the death of Dr. Lee. You would be Implicated, and the gambler. Abe Bloom, and the detective. Tom Blake, evidently (lossess proof of your guilt. "For while the gypsy woman, Hagar, who has been an Imbecile since you struck ber, hnd only photographs of the Incriminating thumb prints, it Is evi dent that Blake and the Blooms have me original*—tbe thumb print on the bodetoeek and tbe thumb prints you left in th* doctor's study on the cashbox and elsewhere- The price of their si lence to the diamond when it comes to light “If thia girl to tbe rightful heir of Stanley, tbe diamond to bora, and if Arthur Stanley to an tmpootor, the earl dom in England to youm “We are bound to silence owing to yoor rash and reckleoo acta. We moot make the most of tbe situation. If a stranger has bought Stanley hall the rale to not legal, and if this (tot Esther to tbe real Stanley the estates must be restored to ber. and tbe diamond from tbe oky rightfully botoota to ber What will oho cara for tbe teatfly tra dittooa if it arar comas about that she Is able to prove ar daairao to provo ber claim? Doabtiera ebe to booptef tfloat oat of regard for Arthur Stanley. “Thore to one Mmple thing to do. Blair; you moot marry tMs girt. Than you wBl bare a elear elam to foe tttte. aad you will also poaoara Bteatay hall aad the dtaaeond from tbe oky. No matter whore the dlaawod may ba it moot ultitaateiy come to Mfbt. You eaa Utas dtoeae whether you win ear raster * to the Btoeae aa the ptee at their aßoaea aa to sew araaasat. ar bar teas a* taaa the auMth test oaoMB to>UB ae teeßtol es Btoatar bi CHARTBR XXVL Blair Boeks ths Document THE reckleoo, deaperate and ua scrupulous ancestor, tbe first Arthur Stanley, who bad found the diamond from the sky In the fallen meteor 300 years agonc. bad a worthy descendant tn tbe equally reckless, desperate and unscrupulous Blair Stanley. It is to be doubted if Blair Stanley gave any thought of tbe great wrong he might do the gentle Esther lu the furtherance of the cold ambitious schemes of his mother aud ills own im pulsive lawless ones. He cared not u whit whether If he should marry Es ther such au alliance would be biga mous and shameful In case his mar riage with Vivian should prove subse quently legal nud binding. To get Esther nnd to get the diamond by such menus, uot to spenk of the Stanley earldom In England, appealed to Blair. The thought of Vivian fight ing for her rights as the consort of an earl appealed to Blair’s cynical sense of humor. With n meekness almost puritanlca: In Its sleek hypocrisy lie hnd answer ed his mother to the effect that he would do as she desired. He prepared himself, at his mother's suggestion, to return to Richmond mid make amends with the disgruntled relative and so clety lender. Mra. Burton Randolph, for Mrs. Randolph had developed nn unselfish fondness for Esther. Meanwhile Esther had been received with o(>eu arms by the gypsy people when s-ha hail returned with Quabba when first setting out 1u search of Ar thur with the loyal hunchback. An other search of Hagar's van at the amp had been fruitless. There was no trace or evidence of any wealth that It hnd always lieen supposed that Hagar lossesseil Esther announced to tbe gypsies that, while Hagar gave evidence of eventually recovering, it wns necessary that she (Esther) must journey far to seek a friend who could aid ber in these days of trial. The generous Romany's of the tribe pressed their lit tle boards of money upon Esther, whom they acknowledged their prin cess. But Esther refused to accept The mope <-anny und practical Quab ba. however, accepted all tributes of this kiud. unknown to Esther, and ac creted them against coming days of need. Followed far from the camp by the kindly gy iisles, aud even the little gyp sy children who loved Esther with the loyal devotion of their elders. Quabba and Esther set out upon their way. Quabba was further gladdened by a royal gift of a large street, piano nud < art nnd pony to haul IL Starting west and north upon their quest for Arthur. Esther nnd Quabba with their quntut equipage took their way They halted nt the farm of Farmer Smith, where Arthur bad worked, and proceeded on. Intending to skirt through Richmoud to ascertain Hagar's condition ere going west Journeying to Richmond. Blair Stan ley beheld Quabba aud Esther and the l>ony and organ cart as his train pass ed by them. The reckless Blair had no patience to wait till the train reach ed the next station. He pulled tbe air brake cord, alighted, and as tbe train pulled out be hid by the roadside by the track, and after Esther and Quabba had toiled post him on foot by their pony organ cart, he stealthily trailed them to the outskirts of Richmond. From here he hastened to Mra. Ran dolph’s, end made bis peace and en listed her sympathy and co-operation 111 Quabba and (other Set Out Upon Their Way. In raaani to NMbor. With Mra Bob lolpb be harried to tbe oanßaitaat when Ha(ar voo, and as he hod nor ■toed, they foand Briber. Tbe opsonin at tbe (nod hoarted Mra Rnndolpb hnd no oßoct to dtaMtndbw Eatber frora ber *M pion at wnrebtad for Artbar. joaroeytaß wvaa neroae tbe eoattoeat an foot vttb • (ypey baneb hnek to do on, eatfl ebe eppeeltd • ter thraapb ter lave for Heor. Mia. Bandeisß (SB mother ratovere. Yon can coo ebe to improving. Lot your gypsy servant (o and seek Arthur Stanley. I am sore I do hot know wtet strange reason actuates you in your desire to find him. If he < ared for you be would let you know where he to. If he la not guilty of murdering dear old Dr. Lee why should he ruu away? Don't you see. a nice young girl can’t do such de lightful. romantic things? It’s all right lu books, my dear Esther, but In real life a young girl going across the world to seek n sweetheart without a chnjie ron would be talked about.” To be “talked about” wns Mra. Randolph's Idea of mundane damnation. Esther realized tbe sense and sincer ity of Mrs. Randolph’s kindly pleading i- i, IH b_— Quabba Was Struck and Hurt. and agreed to abide by ber advice. Qunbba took up his lodgings In the part of the town of Richmond be was familiar with, preparing to start short ly in bls search for Arthur, and Esther returned to Mra. Randolph's. With his rising fortunes in tbe west Arthur kept Ms secret agent in Rich mond. Blake, tbe detective, well sup plied with funds, though cautioned to silence, a caution hardly necessary with tbe taciturn Blake, tbe man be hind tbe scene, who seemingly was at tbe bidding of all and yet was ever tbe master bf his own deep methods. A bootblack, a well grown youth of twenty, loitered by the Randolph man sion the day of Esther's return with Mrs. Randolph and Blair Stanley. A bootblack hastened to the private office of Detective Tom Blake and breath iessly reported the presence of Esther and of Blair in Richmond. Blake took half a dozen banknotes of large de nomination from his wallet and In closed them In a large plain envelope with a note that read. "Sent by Ar thur to be used as neceasary.” Twenty minutes later tbe bootblack furtively climbed tbe wistaria vine to Esther's window nnd a moment later dropped unseen down beside the Ran dolph mansion and hurried away. A little later Esther found on her bureau by the window the large envelope with tbe banknotes and the mjuterious mes sage. Esther kissed tbe note because It seemed almost Uie personal proximity of Arthur. The money, which was (1.- 000. hardly concerned her at all except that she realized It would smooth the path of Quabbn t<> the west In seeking Arthur. That Arthur knew where she wns aud hnd stroiig though secret In fluences working in ber behalf was all well enough jierhapo to his masculine manner of thinking. But in Esther the eternal feminine manifested itself in the desire to be near the one she loved. Nothing else mattered. Just then Mra. Randolph's maid, tbe smiling Fill, entered with a vase of Es ther’s favorite roeeo. chattering ter happiness at seeing Esther again. Es ther, who bad secrated the note and the money at FUTa knock, aoked the maid to place the flower* in the win dow. It waa tte old atgnal for Qoabba. and when that faithful eool etote through the afreet on ite watch for some alga from hto young mtotraaa he aaw the signal, and Claranee, tte mob key, waa sent up tte wtotaria tar Bo ther*e meaaage. Claranee elamtarad flown agata with half tte money that had beau to tte myaterioualy placed envelope And with It a ecxtbbled meaeage raouaatlng Quab ba to go at erne to Loa Angplee to to cate Arthur, where Better ted tart di rectly teaad at Mm. Quabba aaeßadu ktoaed hto tend aad dMM hto on* to Me folr jaaat mtoCraoa at tte wtndew and hurried away. But aench waa to happoß era Qnabba toft Btchaeood. Borne KMfoM bepo *t a atraot eotMr anaaptag Otaraaen, tte tojagHln fon^patb MBtethaay. j ^Mftrttoihp MjmbQibiiMb Hob sion end had followed Mm at a dis tance. wondering what might be the hunchback's reason for loitering near where Esther waa. Blair, tbe trailer, intent upon hto own quarry, did not no tice that he in turn waa trailed by a bootblack, a well grown youth of tweu ty. When Quabba waa knocked down by the trolley and braised and dazed Biair was among the flrot to come to his assistance. Quabba was able to give tbe address of his lodgings and to refuse to go to a hospital. He uml Clarence, the monkey, were placed In n taxi and were driven off. to tbe cheer of the multitude, who regarded them in tbe light of heroes for tbe dangers they had (Missed. It was Blair's perverse nature that saw in tbe accident a reckless way to trap Esther aud search for tbe Stanley document bis mother believed that Es ther always carried with ber. He scribbled a note and, seeking a messenger, Lis eyes lit upon tbe boot black. The note was to Esther and was .written as though by a stranger witnessing the accident to Quabba. It gave the address Quabba had given after tbe accident and it requested Es ther to come to see tbe injured man. reading as though Quabba had asked tbe stranger to send the word. Tbe bootblack bore the message promptly to hto employer. Blake, the detective. That astute man behind the acenes calmly assumed tbe bootblack’s guise and delivered the note tn person. Mra. Randolph plaintively objected to Esther's going alone to aucli a part of town aa tbe address of Quabba’s lodging*. But it was broad day and Esther laughed at her fears. Meanwhile Blair Stanley bad pro ceeded to the lodging bouse and, aided by the convincing argument of a ten dollar bill, bad no trouble in convinc ing the landlady that be was a detec tive expecting to trap a shoplifter. Blair proceeded to Quabba’s room and. finding Quabba dazed with pain, bound and gagged him. It was an ad venture Just to Blair’s liking. He had slipped on a mask before surprising and overpowering Quabba, and when Esther’s light step was heart! at tbe door, directed by the landlady on tbe landing below. Blair, still masked, opened the door nnd dragged Esther within. If Blair had expected an easy victim be found be bad caught a Tartar te ther fought like a little tigress, and every effort Blair made to search her for tbe Stanley document was repulsol. Blair’s perverse nature rejoiced In this vigorous defense of tbe alight but wiry girl. Quablwi struggled to free himself to assist Esther, but just then the door o]>ened and a stalwnrt boot black. who was noue other than Tom Blake, the detective. Joined lu the fray. He owed Blair something on an old score, and right merrily be proceedisl to pay it off. Blair fought ilke a madman. And then Quabba tore himself loose from hto bond* and. forgetting the bruises of hto sccldenLJoined |he rnejse... Ulali_ was young and strong. Physically be ’fl Blair Faught Lite a Madman. wa* a mate* for tte datectlve. area tboagb tte Iflttar waa aMad by tte ac tive aad afißPto Qaabta. Tte throe aided flgbt tailed oat of Qaabte’e etabby room and down tte rickety oM atalrcaaa. Halfway down tte otaira, tte baloetndo oa tte upper landtag tevtag airoody given way. tte datoctfre aad Qaabta. poaching. Mctfag nnd ebortag. panted Btair eat oaataat tte rail. Tbe eottae telorirada. taatotoc* aad all, Moto eat aad fitfl tear, aad Blair went down wftb ttem backward aad atrnek with a teary thad oa tbe toad teg at the oMo of the ctataa to tbo oar rider tetow. ■ether, wftb Qaabta aad Blate, ran down tte Main thranjk tee dnot nnd hto fora at E mated aato. Tte detertfroEfogd wfootaataaad CSteiiir, Satlfc^roßmSfoatta WtlMtarb tabs tte tefr away tefooo-