A nevelltatlon of the photo play eeleeted aa the beet In ever 19,000 eubmltted e the eoenarlo department of 'the Chicago Tribune In a $10,000 prise eonteet during Deeember and January. The manuaorlpta In thla eompeti tien eama from many aactiana In tha Unitad States and Canada. Authora af nota aa wall aa thouaanda of ama taura took part. $10,000 For 1,000 Words or Less For an Idea For a Sequel to "THE DIAMOND FROM THE SKY" The American Film Manufac turing Company'a Picturited Romantic Novel In Chapters, This contest ia opan to any man. woman or child wbo ia not connected, diractly or indiractly. with tha Tilm Company or tha newspapera publish ing tha continued atory. No literary ability ia nacessary to qualify m a conteetent You ara advise to aca tha continued photo play in tha theatera where it will bo ahown to read tha atory aa it rune very week, and than aand in your ugjeation. Conteatanta mutt coo fine their contributions for the aequo! to l,000 tvordt or tot. It ia tha ida that ia wanted. CHA A Heritage of Hate. n 1 T la June In Virginia, June In the year of our Lord 1882. The fields are green, the early blossoming of the honeysuckle elves a fra grance to the air. At such a time, in such a scene and such surroundings, two horsemen meet Both are men of Striking appearance and proud pres ence and are in the miUurJty uMbeir fiddle manbool They are Stanleys, cousins in blood. The one on the bay hunter, Judge Lamar Stanley, is emooth of face, that is marked with cruel and heavy lines. Ills face is harsh and set, and the grim lines of his countenance set the grimmer at the approach of his kinsman, Colonel Ar thur Stanley. The latter rides his Chestnut saddler like a soldier. Judge Stanleys Beat is that of a huntsman. Even as they ride they differ. Colonel Stanley's face is kinder. A white mus tache and imperial add to bis soldierly appearance. In Richmond during the war Judge Xamar Stanley had been high In the councils of the cabinet of President Jefferson Davis. In the field his cousin, Arthur Stanley, followed the fortunes of the Confederate arms as a member of the staff of General Lee. Crossing each other In love, crossing eacff jptherln martial, civic and social ambitions, their mutual hatred grew with their growing years. There were deep causes for all this In the thwart ed social ambitions of the Judge. As the scion of the elder branch of the American Stanleys, springing from their common ancestor. Sir Arthur Stanley, a gentleman adventurer, wbo came to America In 1615, Colonel Stan ley held possession of the precious fam ily heirloom, the diamond from the Bky. The family tradition ran that this peat gem had fallen In a blazing me teor at the feet of Sir Arthur Stanley three centuries ago Just as he was about to be burned at the stake by the Indians, whom he had in some way affronted and aroused. The legend was that the Indians had deemed the falling meteor an omen from the Great Spirit that the white I feian about to be tortured was under the favor of his protection. This leg end further stated that Sir Arthur Stanley himself had so accepted the diamond from the sky as a token of supernatural favor. esieclally as the Indians hod called It "the fallen star." "Tha Faiion star" Sir Arthur nuu a. a v. m... ' - Stanley himself had been called after his banishment from the court of King James of England for some wild esca pade of gallantry when he was but turned of twenty-two. In the age stained family archives kept In the strong box at Stanley hall, the great mansion home of Colonel Stanlev. there was the will of the wllJ Sir Arthur, and at Its end there was a etrauge prophetic clause. This clause read that when the noble line of Stan leys became extln-t In England and an hplr of the old Stanley earldom was ought among the elder sons of the American family of Stanleys lu Vir ginia the diamond from the sky, the heritage of the elder sou of thla elder branch, should be borne and worn back to England by the American earl when he came Into Ids English earldom. At tbe time we write that is, In June. 1882-the last of the earls of Stanley was a bachelor invalid and Leclnse, without hope or desire of an lelr. Colonel Stanley had no son to suc ceed to tha earldom In England. Ha was married to a fair young wife, who exported ahrfJf to eome mother. r By ROY Z,.MSt&ARDBLL Copyright. 1913. my Hoy L. McCardtll Were this child a girl It could have no hope for tbe English great title In the family nor to ever possess the diamond from the sky. On tbe other hand. Judge Lamar Stanley bad a sou, a sturdy boy of three. Ills proud wife, equally with himself, dreamed of a day when this boy should bear the honors and have the vast estates of the Stanley earl dom and tbe wonderful, priceless dia mond from the sky. As the two horsemen, kinsmen and bitter enemies, rode down upon each other In a smiling Virginia lane net ' their would swerve his horse ft hairs- . breadth for the, eilisr, Into each other, 1 full tilt, their blooded horses jnjjrjfa I and then the superior hTsemanshlp 6i l tbe soldier, skilled In cavalry eucoun- . ten, told. Over went horse and Judge 1 Into the dust of the road. and. with a mocking , laugu anu noi , ueiguwg io look back Lb,ls fallen kinsman, who arose and cursed ahd shook his fist at him, Colonel Stanley rode on. Tbe Judge, discomfited In tbe dust saw tbe dark face of a gypsy grinning at him through a hedge near by. The hedge was on the property of Judge Stanley. Mounted on his horse again he now saw s gypsy van on the other side of the hedge. Judge Stanley, quivering with rage, rode luto the gap of the hedge and hoarsely ordered oU tbe intruders - "But. yo' see, It Is like this," expos tulated the gypsy. "I am alone here with my wife, sir. Our people has gone on. My wjfe Is very sick, Wt can't goon sir. " 1 ' i MbwibH ".What do I care what ails youi wretched "'teV' snarled the Judge, "Drive your horses off my land and get out. I am udge In this county. "Mebbe you are president of the United States, too." grumbled he gypsy. "Do you think you own the roads because the gentleman that Just rode by knocked you off your horse operand r Housed to a burst of fury, the Judgi drove Ills horse at the gypsy" and lashed him cruelly with the heavy rid ing whip he always curried. A wan but handsome gypsy woman, clutching at her side as though In pain, tottercu out from the van as though to protect the gypsy from the sheer brutality of the horseman. Stanley struck the gyp sy woman across the face, leaving a livid weal. To his surprise she never flinched, but faced him duuntlessly. "The bitterest dlsuppoiutuient of you life uud a death that will be a buz sard's feast for you for that blow!" she said tensely, a light of prophecy In her courageous eyes. The Judge, faltered ad. wheeled, his horse, Tmf turning to the gypsy man be cursed him again and" bid him be off his land. Then be rode on. Meanwhile Colonel Stanley bad rid den to the village of Fairfax and had halted his. horse at kthe gate of a pret ty cottage, A sign by the gate bore the words, "Dr. Henry Lee." The doctor was an amiable man of some sixty years. Inclined to corpu lence, a kinsman of General Robert El Leo. The doctor had been a surgeon in tbe Confederate army. Some fifteen years older than the colonel, he had been the guardian of the other. Dur ing the war the colonel had saved tbe doctor's life by carrying him when wounded back to the Confederate lines under a galling fire. A further bond between them, if others were needed, was tbe mutual hatred they bore to Judge Lamar Stanley, who through some legal chicanery had impoverished the doctor In bis old age, a breach of confidence If not of trust. "Yes, doc tor, come at once. My wife will need you tonight." said the colonel. As the colonel nearcd his estates and was witblu slht of the broad la An of his colonial mansion, Stanley ball. landmark of the countryside, he mw a gypsy van approaching. On the driv ing seat were two figures, a man and a woman. The man was bellowing hoarse curses at a dlsapiearing horse man, whom even at the distance the colonel recognized as bis bated cousin. the Judge. As be neared the approaching gypsy outfit the colonel noticed the woman bad fainted from pain and weariness. He bad Just time to wheel his horse close beside the vun and catch her as she was falling from the seat In a few words the gypsy man ex plained their miserable situation. The kindly heart of the colonel was touch ed. Tbe fainting woman had now ro vJveJ nud wag luteulllg apathetically "So Judge Stanley has ordered you off the earth T remarked the colonel. "Well, my good man. that little copse of woods rtiibt over there, not far from my house, belongs to me. Camp there as long as you wish and I will see jour sick wife gets every attention. She expects a child, you say? Ah, tbe curse of Eve falls alike in but and mansion. We expect this same momentous event at my house. You are doubly wel come. I will send Dr. Lee, our family physician, to attend your wife. The gypsy woman now spoke for the first time. "For your kind heart I read toot fortune. A bitter dlsappelntmont und a bitter triumph over those yon hate the most comes to you, sir." "Well, better fortune than that to the child you expect," said the colonel with a kindly smile. "And here Is 2J to buy christening clothes and found the fortune of my expected namesake If be Is a boy. 'It will be a boy, and you will be aware of Llm," said the gypsy womai-. p.nd again she. close J her tyis und f'..v- ered as In great pain, not uotlctng th' money. "Take It, you fool woman, when th. kind gentleman offers It!" snarled tt. man. Seeing the colonel still offering Ik. fnoTe?.The gy psy woman muttered her thanks uud took the money reluctantly, and the gypsy, loud lit his protestation of gratitude, drove his caravan to th. copse. -Arriving' at the gateway of Stuim. hall, the grand old mansion built by i great-grandson of the original forbc.r. of the family In America, the cotouc' cantered bis horse up the spleiu.. wide-driveway. There on the lawn hi., flower faced young wife, Ethel, lu u garden chair, swaddled In silken shawls and carefully attended by ber old col ored nurse. Mammy Lucy, awaltel The ojd negro manservant, Ned, ch)e factotum and butler of the establish ment, appeared on the piazza and calleO loudly to a half grown colored lud to take the master's horse. The colonel and the old nurse tenth suTfiorteJ tue tlower faced young wilt great mansion. . r It must not be thought that any ovt ? whelming desire for title or exalted lo sitlon for themselves or for their ex pected child actuated Colonel Stanley out! uls fair young wife. In fact, the colonel was "hot ' only contents In nroud In his isjsltion as heaoTof th Stanley "finally In America and mnstc: of Stanley hall. It was only the grasp inu- snobbery of his cousin that had le. the Cvi'.oncl to encourage the hope that his wife ml(iht U-ar u son to cheat bb kinsman foe of his hopes. For the proud elder branch of the Stanley8-,uo Iords Stanley ot War wlckshlie. I'nlajid -only survived lu the person of a testy old bachelor In valhl. The uext of kin and in diret t line for the earldom of Stanley was Colonel Stanley of Virginia, and, fajl Ing his surviving or having a son. tb earldom would go to his cousin, .ludg" Stanley or the Judge's son, Blair, uov a child of three. It was a sore iolut with the last Lord Stanley that be had always hatei' women after a love disappointment lu early manhood and had never marrle' and now the succession would go tt what he denominated as his "Yankee relatives." But tbe diamond from the sky was a comforting thought In a measure re On tha Porch of tha Old Virginia Ma., aion. the old earl. It gave these "Yankee relatives" a prestige that even an earl might envy. For some time past the earl, tliron,u his solicitor. Marmaduke Smythe. bad been In correspondence with the afore said "Yankee relatives." Marmaduke Smythe was a long, lean lank, dry as dust British barrister, lie, too. was versed in full knowledge of the fame and fabulous value of the diamond from tbe sky. fie, too. knew tbe legends concerning It But to his timid mind faroff America was still a wilderness, peopled by savages. So It bad been with much trepidation and much nervous caressing of his scanty black sldewhlskers that Mar maduke Smythe, banister at law. Tarn pie chambers. Ixmdon. bad received or dera from bis distinguished patron. Cecil, eighth earl of 8tanley, to depart for Amertca and arrange for tbe qv ceasloa. i in "ir -tT-"""if ! 7".. A 1 CHAPTER II "I Will C:.et L .ia 3tin!ty! fN tin- preliminary correspondent confining tliiM mutter l.uwycr Siuylhe ti.tvl 1 ecu vi iti.li',1 to uotv i. . ... . ( . . . i denes r e that one of tlu t-i.ile.vs near f kiu In Virginia w:;h ii Jm..m. T Law yer Sniyt'.ieH Insular Uiitl u ii i.iir standing U'in,' n Ju ie In lite Junvie of Virginia was to i' uu uncouth, to bacco eating, hoarse vol el. r. d faced Individual. Th- feud and Its consequent bitter enmities tctweeu Colonel Stanley and Judge Lamar Stanley were hardly jnasjwd by the testy old enrl and his timid Londou lawyer. Hut the legal mind of Lawyer Smythe prompted him to rely mostly upon the far off Virgin la Judge. So It was that to carry out his mis sion In what he deemed were the wilds of America Lawyer Smythe determin ed to place himself In contact with the Virginia Judge rather than what he thought might bo the more militant bead of the American Stanleys, the ex- soldier. Colonel Arthur Stanley. The lawyer bad written to the Judge aud hard upon the heels of his letter be bad arrived at the little railroad station of Fairfax in the dusk of the evening upon the day in which the Judge and the colonel had encountered tbe gypsies. Matt Harding and his wife Hagar. All the banister saw when be alight ed from the slow local train that had brought him, and whan his luggage, The Mother bf the Gypsy Child. bad been deposited beside him by un ceremonious hands, was a shambling negro with a private mall -ouch at tached to a Btrati over his ragged Bhoul- der. This negro was Joined by several other messengers of his sort, who were busy receiving mall from the station agent, who was evidently also the local post master. Lawyer Smythe looked up aud down the platform, expecting to see cowboys or a prairie wagon, or some sort of backwoods irsou to greet blm or vehi cle to convey him to Judge Stan ley's ranch. He finally summoned up courage to Inquire of the station agent postmaster, as that Individual was locking for the bight . . .v "Judge Stanley?" repeated the sta tion agent "Why, hU nigger, Zeke, Just got tbe Judge's mall aud has gone. Tbe Judge couldn't have been expect ing anybody, or be would have sent bis carriage. But mebbe Zeke will tell him be saw you, and you will be sent for. You bad better wait right here." And be turned the key lu tbe pad lock, on tbe station door and trudged away, leaving the bewildered lawyer wonderlug If wild beasts nilgbt be about In the somber living room that was part law office uud chambers of Judge Stanley, the Jude uud his equally stern vtsaged spouse were awaiting the evening mall on the last train dowu from Kicbmond. In a few minutes eke, the colored handy man of the household, entered with the Judge's mall bag. The Judge eagerly separated u large, formally ad dressed envelop beuring English stamps und sealed at the back. The Judge opened it glanced at It hurriedly and banded it to bis wife. "It U from the earl's lawyer, Marina duke Smythe. you see. He says be may arrive at about the same time this letter reaches us." He turned to the slouchy nero. "Did you see a strange man get off the train looked like an undertaker all English lawyers do?" "Yes, sub. a strange gemman did get off de train." replied the uegro, "but be didn't say nultiu to me, aud I didn't say uulttn to him!" "You black scoundrel!" roared the jm'ge. 'That geutleman has come all the way from England to see me on an Important matter. Get my horse (nd put a saddle on the black mare. I will go to the station for blm myself !" At Stanley bull, In the old colonial bedroom of the mistress of the bouse the colored uurse, Lucy, was minis terlng to ber flower faced mistress. while Colonel Stanley stood by solicit ously confirming the old colored mam my's words with affirmative nods. "Yes, my honey, de doctor will be here any minute." tbe old nurse was saytng. "Ain't tbe colonel Jest back from go In after him? Bleaa my soul. honey, der come Dr. Lee.hlsself drlr to' up wtd dat ole red boss. Stonewall. of his.-- - TV colonel wife lifted her fair face as tt colonel beut ore to kiss It, Th old uurae aftly bustled to the door and admitted the doctor. In the copse of woods, hardly far ther than a stone's throw from the mansion, night was falling darkly with the mutterings of an approaching storm. Over a smoldering fire crouch ed Matt Ilardlug. the gypsy, puffing at Ms short black plje. A cry of pnln from the weather stained tent near by ! roused the man, and be arose and sul- lenly walked over aud entered the ! shabby shelter. lu few moments be emerged and hurried rapidly In tbe direction of Stanley Hall. As he rapped at the great door of the mansion Ned. the colore! butler, opened It throwing a glare of yellow light upon tbe sinister face of the gypsy. "You can't see notody In tbt bouse. Mr. Man," said Ned. "But I tell you Colonel Stanley prom ised me his detor would Ih here to night and that be would attend uy wife. She needs the doctor now. 1 t's a matter of life and death. And It's bad luck when a gypsy d'es without being able to face the rising sun." "De colonel's alius doln' foolish kind nesses fo' poo' white trash." grumbled tbe darky as he shut the door on tbe strange caller and went reluctantly to bear his message. But the good old physician was posi tive that no harm would come from bis absence for an hour or so and hastened away on his erraud of mercy. At the little station of Fairfax mean while tbe now frightened London law yer was wondering whether be should load tbe elephant rifle with which be had provided bunaelf and fortify him self behind, his luggngv As the beat of horse hoofs drew bearer the English lawyer rose with leveled rifle and cried; ;Haltt Who goes there, friend or Toe?" ---TUilJUi-J The approaching horseman. Judge Lamar Stanley, laughed grimly as he called out: "It's a friend! Don't shoot!" And then he rode up to the platform and Introduced himself to tbe English man and explained matters to the lat ter's satisfaction. T,ben Judge fastened the luggage of his" visitor to the two saddle horses, and tbey rode off together. In the copse of wood the pattering night ralu fell upon the gypsy tent The storm passed as quickly as Jt bad cone, aud the moon shone ut refulgentl. The flap of the tent open ed. nud the bulky form of the good doctor was seen In tbe moonlight He held a small swaddled object In his arms. " "Matt Harding," said Dr. Lee Im pressively, "the storm bus passed with the miracle of birth, und you may say. as was said of old, 'Unto us a child Is born; unto us a son Is given.'" t'JIioiu'g fjtip jvords for rich folk." grumbled 'he gypsy gruiny. "io me It don't mean nothing but another hlOUlU to feed." The doctor regarded the man tvltlf suVh n look of sternness that the gypsy took th? c hlld from tile" doctor and en tered the teiif' with It after promising the physician to take good care of it and its mother. The good doctor hurried back to Stanley bull, where all were Impatient ly awaiting blm. He smiled reassur ingly at tbe colonel's wife, tbe colonel and the nurse. A fine boy has been born to the gypsy womac, be said. "It seems an omen of like good luck to Stanley ball. We may expect little earl to be born here this night" be added gently. The colonel'a flower faced wife shook her bead and smiled back at the old doctor, and the colonel spoke quickly. "I have no ambitions for any title for son of mine," be said. "But I wish a boy if bnt to thwart my cousin. La mar Stanley. A bitter expression crept Into tbe face of the negro woman at the men tion of Judge Stanley's name "Don't yon worry, honey." she said softly to her mistress, "an don't you worry either, colonel. De good Lord don't Intend 'no luck for Jud-je Lamar Stanley. I was a slave girl on bis fa ther's place when de Jedire was . a young man. ne killed my brother I II-- - a diw. on he had me !e:it Insenslhl.. when I called him 'Cain.'" A girl child was born at Stanle hall at nildnlght The colonel blanch el af the news, but th flower faced mother smlleil and called her husband to bring tbe diamond from the sky. With trembling bands he brought the precious belrfoom. and the mother with her own weak hands placed the chain and the locket that contained the Jewel around the neck of her newborn ilanrJiter. "She Is heir to Stanley hall, at least." murmured the mother, "aud until you die." she added, turning to the colonel. "she may wear It as a 'charm against harm.' as the Stanleys of our branch have always done." Then as all turned away to hide their tears at the pathos of her words tbe young mother, with trembling bands, drew a slip of folded paper from be neath bor pillow and, opening the se cret catch at tbe back of the locket placed a mother's last message unno ticed beneath the diamond from the sky, murmuring as she did so: "'A charm against barm,' my little daughter; 'charm against harm!" And then she sank back upon ber pillow, her babe upon her breast The old nurse turned and gazed fixed ly at ber mistress; then, with a scream of grief and terror, she threw herself beside the babe and mother. "She Is dead!" shrieked the nurse. "My sweet mistress Is dead!" It was but too true; this gentle soul had passed. - Ia tbe library an hour later Dr. La stood over the battered colonel. In tea to the truth." said the doctor. "It Is Idle Tor you to me. I have tot you, yo.i Ii . w i. ;.c of tbe ' heart, end niiotli.-i- in la. k :iUe thu may be your denth You cannot hope to llv to many a wife who may yet bear y a son." "I will never marry agnlnT cried Colonel Stanley In anguish. "I bar loved but one woman, could love but one woman, and she Is dead! But, by" leavens, 1 will cheat Lamar Ptanle and all his brood! I have 15.000 la yonder safe. I will buy tbe male child born to the gypsy woman. I win blue way my own flesh and blood, my lit tie daughter, and have ber reared tea derly, yet in secret And tbe gypsy' brat at my death shall be tbe Earl of Stanley In England and possess the? diamond from the sky. That will ba) fine for Lamar Stanley and bis vennU offspring!" And be laughed and shoo his hands In bitter rage. I mean It and you must he!p met You bate Lamar Stanley, for he ruined? yon. Mammy Lucy hates him. He) killed her twin brother in cold bloodl Corner In tbe glow of hut campflre Matff nardlng gated greedily at the wealth beyond his wildest dreams that OolO nel Stanley had roused him from bbf fitful slumber to pour into his lap. Hagar, roused from ber fevered dreams, felt her babe being lifted from ber bosoiu. The rural gypsy husband? and father seized her by tbe throat as she feebly struggled. lie gagged anxf , bound ber hastily aa he might and? emerged panting from the tent, carry Ing the swaddled babe which be band' ed to the colonel and the doctor. "Does my wife objyrtr he aaka4 W the doctor's question. "Say, governor he would seti t-very child she expect ft have for "half the mouay. We'll. & twenty tnlles awayTy iuurlse and fif ty miles niore by another day. We'll t' gypsy kings nud queens and you'll never hear of us again!" llBy Back at Stauley balTtbe doctor and the colonel entered secretly by the Ik brary window and bore tbe babe up stairs to tbe waiting nurse. Reluctant ly and yet resolved like all the rest; the faithful colored nurse arrayed the? gypsy" child In fine linen and bunf about its neck "tbe diamond from th sky," while the little daughter, born t Stanley ball, whimpered beside lta fair dead mother, In answer to the summons to StaQV Jey hall came Judge Stanley, the kin maTeT&myfrM IhEnllsh barrister It was a strange group thai gathered in the colonel's library, the English barrister, the grim, bitterly disappoint ed Judge, sjjcntly facing Dr. Lee aod A pull at (lie bell rope and the weep ing colored nurse entered the library" bearing the black haired, dark eyed babe, a male child In Stanley ball, pre sumptlve heir to an English earldom, and blazing on Its breast was the dlft rnoud from the sky. i-hk. Over the gypsy campflre within tbe sontni "JJU?"" ran from Stanley fiairiTbelVfroiuI'Trelizled mother tore herself loose frotii her ootids. LiUe tigress, she threw herself Upon ber husband and demanded her Child. When he told her of the bargain and allowed ber the money that came front It she cursed him and the gold und, seizing a Jagged burning billet from the fire, she struck Matt Harding down and. leaving him prone on the ground, she rushed to Stanley ball to regain: bef' flrstborn. The gypsy roused himself from tbe stunning blow and hastened after bet" ere she could spoil nil hi greed I f - f i V WaT I Matt Harding, tha Gypey. schemes. The great door of StanletT hall stood ujar. For a moment HaffaA swayed faintly at tbe portal. Thee she staggered In and down tbe spa cious hall to the door of the library, guided by the sound of men's voice nd the cries of a child her child! Her hands seized tbe knob and soft ' aud silently she threw open tbe door Just as ber gypsy husband seized b from behind. The backs of the Judge, the EnglH'r lawyer, tbe doctor and the nurse we" to the door, but Colonel Stanley "to-1 behind the library table facing ts door. "Yes." he was saying, "there hi tf newborn baby, a son. do you bear, son!" And then his eyes opened wl'a with horror, for there, struggling af the open door, were the gypsy wonwt and her husband. The man's bars! was over the woman's mouth, sa-l with every effort he sought to strangle' ber to silence and closed the door. Colonel Stanley clutched at his bee and fell senseieee forward serosa tW library table! ((tootta next week) i