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- A salesgirl pursues a handsome playboy.
- This exploitation film belongs to the social guidance genre of quasi-documentary narratives, which exhort young adults to follow particular moral and social prescriptions related to sexuality and drug use.
- Pre-Code early-talkie film version of Philip Barry's Broadway hit chronicles the first five years of marriage between James and Mary Hutton, during which the two paramours they deserted wait patiently--and manipulatively--in the wings.
- Traitorous California Senator tries to use the newly founded Pony Express to further his plans for a California Republic, but Unionist Frisco Jack will try to stop him.
- A woman goes to a sideshow fortune-teller to have her fortune told, and is astonished when the man looks into his crystal ball and goes into great detail about events in her past that few people ever knew about. Shaken, she leaves and later tells her girlfriend about the incident. The girlfriend insists that she invite the fortune-teller to a party they're having at her house. What the woman doesn't realize is that the "fortune-teller" is actually the ex-husband she abandoned years ago, when she took their daughter and ran off with her lover. When the "charlatan" is invited to the party, he sees an opportunity to take his revenge on his faithless ex-wife.
- John Marble (William Farnum), a construction engineer is stricken by paralysis and begins to envision the growth of love between his wife Marion (Lois Wilson) and his best friend, Bob Alten (Edward Everett Horton). Bent on suicide, however, the shock of seeing his wife and child endangered on a broken bridge shakes him to recover from his illness and discover that his suspicions were all imaginary.
- Country girl Katusha is seduced and abandoned by Prince Nekludov who, years later, finds himself on a jury trying the same Katusha for a crime to which he now realizes that his actions drove her. He follows her to imprisonment in Siberia, intent on redeeming her and himself as well.
- A tribe of cavedwellers battle for survival against the dangers of a prehistoric world.
- Wending their way and locating in a land far from the contentions through which they passed a few weeks before, Eric and Chloe are located in a garden spot of primeval beauty, surrounded by all the imposing grandeur of nature. Chloe is pursued by the covetous desire of Haakon, a false friend, who strives by subtle charms to lure her from Eric, who in turn is tempted by Linda, her cunning and beauty, to desert Chloe and live with her. Both Chloe and Eric are unaware of the baseness of Linda and Haakon. Their minds are pure and they do not divine their designs. In order to accomplish their purpose, Linda and Haakon consult Greeg, a wicked priest, and secure from him a poisonous powder, by which Linda hopes to remove Chloe and Haakon to put Eric out of his way. The priest has set his heart upon possessing Linda, and Fangen, his servant, a despicable creature, has the same intention, and so the plot becomes more complicated. Eric and Chloe, innocent and unsuspecting, invite Haakon and Linda to dine with them. While they are dining, they place the poison in their hosts' cups. Fangen, who destroys Greeg and follows the two evildoers, comes to the cave. He calls Haakon and Linda outside, saying his master wishes to talk with them. They step outside. Unknown to Eric and Chloe, Fangen changes their cups for those of their guests. When Haakon and Linda return, they drink the poison. Haakon falls dead, but before Linda can take sufficient of her potion, Fangen dashes the cup from her hand, seizes her in his arms and makes off with her.
- In the gray dawn of an October day, as the inhabitants of a village street in Tripoli are engaged in the enjoyment of their several pursuits of life, an Arab rushes upon the peaceful scene, announcing that Italy has declared war against Turkey and that the Italian warships are now in the harbor, shelling the city. Arna, an Arab girl, upon hearing the announcement, tremblingly clings to her sweetheart, Midas, who reassuringly tries to calm her. The Italian transports load their troops into the small boats, preparatory to landing upon the shores of Turkey, where an Arab fisherman immediately suspects their purpose and rushes madly inland to spread the warning to his countrymen. The Italian soldiers, with guns, cavalry and infantry, enter the Arab village, mowing down everything before them. Arna's father is dragged through the streets. Arna, tenderly sustaining her mother, learns that her father has been taken by the Italian soldiers, and frantically makes her way in search of him, accompanied by Midas, only to find that her father has been ruthlessly slain. Arna and Midas stand side by side and face to face with the enemy until their helpless resistance is mercifully ended by the murderous bullets of the desecraters. Mad with the frenzy of the spirit of war, the besiegers, not content with the desolation and slaughter with which they have strewn their pathway, apply their torches to the pyre of misery.
- Part 1: The greed of money asserts itself in the mind of James Montepier, when he sees an opportunity of securing a large contract for the steel interests if war is declared in Europe. A conference is to be held at The Hague in the interests of peace and Roy Brain, in love with Helen, Montepier's daughter, is appointed by the United States Government as a representative at the arbitration. He goes to The Hague to advocate the maintenance of peace, which is agreed upon, with the understanding that he return to America and secure the president's signature to the agreement. He attends a consultation of the president and his cabinet and is informed that they will present the document endorsing peace on the eve of Roy's departure, one month later. Part 2: The money kings, in behalf of the Steel Trust, determine to frustrate the government's plan. They engage the services of a very fascinating woman, Marion Mallard, as their secret agent to accomplish their end, and bribe Roy's valet to assist her. Montepier gives a reception, to which he invites all the foreign government diplomats. Roy attends. Marion is there, the cynosure of all eyes. At this affair, Roy is given the papers endorsing universal peace to be carried back by him the following day when he sails for The Hague. Marion is introduced to Roy and with her irresistible blandishments, she completely captivates him and induces him to take her home, where she has a very enticing little spread for two. While they are partaking of it, she manages to spill wine upon his coat sleeve and gets him to take off his dress coat, in the pocket of which is the coveted message. She removes the document from the pocket, replacing it with one carefully prepared to resemble the original. Part 3: Marion delivers the President's message to Montepier, for which she receives a good-sized check. Montepier places the document in his safe. Helen overhears her father and Marion talking about their clever work. Roy has already sailed for The Hague. Helen hurriedly plays the same game. She secures an envelope of the same kind as the one enclosing the message. She asks her father if she can get a necklace which she has deposited in his safe. He consents, and while he is engaged at the telephone, she extracts the stolen message and puts one which she has prepared to resemble it in its place. She then hastens to the wireless station and sends a message to Roy on board ship, stating he has the wrong document and to watch for her cousin, Ralph, in his hydro-aeroplane, as he will fly to him with the original message. Her cousin takes the message, starts his flying machine and flying across the water, delivers it on board the steamer to Roy, who jubilantly proceeds on his way. James Montepier and his steel colleagues meet to receive his report of the success of his scheme to defeat the government and carry out their own project. All smiles, he tells them how cleverly he and Marion Mallard succeeded. Taking Helen's duplicate from his pocket, he hands it to the chairman of the board, who opens it and finds nothing but a blank sheet of paper. Instantly there is an uproar of astonishment, which changes into chagrin and dejection when they realize they have been fooled.
- In ancient Athens, four young lovers escape into the woods. Meanwhile, tradesmen rehearse a play. All of them suffer from the shenanigans of mischievous fairies.
- After the overthrowing of Duke Senior by his tyrannical brother, Senior's daughter Rosalind disguises herself as a man and sets out to find her banished father while also counseling her clumsy suitor Orlando in the art of wooing.
- During the American Revolution, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr are both courting beautiful Margaret Moncrieffe. Fast-forward several years and they again find themselves on opposite sides, this time about compensation for the properties of Tories--colonists who sided with the British--during the war. Hamilton falls for Maria Reynolds, who it turns out is secretly the wife of prominent pawnbroker Jacob Clingman, a friend of Burr's. The pair conspire to destroy Hamilton, who is now Secretary of the Treasury and married to the daughter of a prominent army general, by making public several love letters Hamilton had written to Mrs. Reynolds.
- Gerald O'Hara, a young officer in the Anglo-Indian Army, is in love with his Colonel's daughter. One day he sees Harab, an Indian merchant, unmercifully beating one of his servants, who has fallen beneath a heavy burden. Kimra, the servant, is found to be very ill, and is ordered by the doctor and the Colonel to the hospital. When he recovers, Gerald takes him into his service. The regiment is sent up-country to a small fort. The Indian mutiny breaks out and the fort is surrounded and cut off. Gerald volunteers to try and break through the lines and Kimra says that he will go with him. They escape from the fort disguised as beggars. They return, however, and spy upon the camp and learn of the plans of their enemies. Then they steal a couple of horses and dash forth on their journey. After several adventures they reach the camp of a British regiment and lead them back to the fort in time to rescue the besieged. Ruth is restored to Gerald's arms and the faithful Kimra praised and congratulated by all.
- A playboy is in love with a woman and enters the army thinking it will improve his chances with her.
- A story of ancient Rome. The scene of this story is laid in Rome in the days of Nero. Rome has recently suffered conflagrations and other disasters, and Nero, hoping to divert the public wrath from his own misconduct, has encouraged the persecution of the growing sect of Christians. Valerius, the hero of the story, is a young Roman officer of a better nature than the people with whom he is thrown in contact. Leah, the heroine, is a beautiful young woman, and one of the leading spirits of a band of Christians. In the opening scene of the picture we see Leah, the heroine, and the Christian band being roughly treated by the mob in the streets of Rome. The scene then changes to the interior of a Roman house where the hero, Valerius, and a number of loose Roman men and women are drinking and gambling. Valerius is thoughtful and becomes disgusted with the life he is leading. He leaves the scene of dissipation in spite of the protests of Gallia, a courtesan, who is in love with him, and goes into the street where for the first time he sees Leah, the Christian girl, and hears the story of Christ. As he listens in wonder to the new religion, and is looking with admiration on Leah, the mob suddenly becomes uncontrolled, beats down the Christians and would have injured the girl, Leah, except for the timely intervention of Valerius, who saves her from violence and leads her in safety to her own door. In the meantime Gallia, who has come into the street, with jealousy has observed Valerius' admiration for the Christian girl, sends a spy to learn where she lives. Returning from the home of Leah. Valerius goes to the palace of Nero, whither the jealous Gallia and others have preceded him. Arrived at the feast he is taunted by the revelers concerning the new found object of his affection. Gallia induces Nero to have Leah brought to the feast, where she is unexpectedly confronted by Valerius. The revelers torment and taunt the girl until the hero takes matters in his own hand and steps forward to protect her. He throws aside the chief of her tormentors and leads her into another room. Here he makes love to her, but, resenting this, she gains his respect, begs him to leave his life of dissipation and the worship of idols, and to follow her in the "Way of the Cross." Valerius is impressed by her words, and for the second time gives her safe conduct to her home. The following day the jealous Gallia persuades Nero to sign a decree of death upon all Christians and she induces a certain Captain to start upon immediate execution of the decree. The hero, however, suspects that her purpose is to secure the death of the Christian girl and carries a personal warning to her home. With her father and younger brother she escapes to one of the subterranean chambers in the vicinity of Rome. Here with other Christians she remains in hiding for some time. Finally, however, it becomes necessary to send the younger brother, Paulus, from the hiding place for food. As he goes through the streets of Rome he is discovered by Gallia and is captured, tortured and compelled to reveal the hiding place of the Christians. The soldiers set out at once to capture Leah and the band. The hero, however, has gone to the cliffs where the Christians are in hiding to seek an interview with the Christian girl. As he leaves her he spies the soldiers coming to take the Christians. He follows them into the cavern and for the second time saves the life of the heroine, compelling them to give her a fair trial. She is brought before Nero, and, in spite of the hero's protestations that she leave her religion, acknowledge the idolatrous religion of the Romans and join him in safety, she clings to her faith and as a reward is condemned to die the death of a martyr. The hero is in despair. The scene of the story now changes to the arena on the day following. The Roman populace is on the way to attend the gladiatorial combats and the execution of the condemned Christians. This sort of spectacle evidently does not appeal to Valerius, but urged on by Gallia he consents to join the audience at the arena. After a combat in which the cruelty of the Roman populace is shown, the Christians about to die are led before Nero's private box, where the hero is seated. Among the Christians as they pass the box Valerius again beholds Leah, the Christian girl. She looks up to him and as her last message holds up the cross. At this Valerius rushes from the crowd and goes down into the prison and struggles with his own mind as to where his duty and happiness lie. In a series of visions he sees the Christian girl pointing him to the Way of the Cross, and sees Gallia, the courtesan, holding out her arms to him. This vision fades and again he sees before him the cross. Leah is led past him to her cell to await the moment of execution. He follows her and pleads with her at the last moment to renounce her belief. She, however, is true to her faith, and Valerius, his conscience now thoroughly aroused, sees before him only one path, the "Way of the Cross." As he sees this inevitable course, the guards throw open the doors once more. The lions which are to devour the Christians are seen moving about beyond. The guard gives an order and Valerius and the Christian girl holding aloft the cross, pass out into the arena to meet death together.
- (Reel One) Amelia Sedley, accompanied by Miss Becky Sharpe, returns from boarding school. Becky is a natural born flirt. Bashful Joseph Sedley falls desperately in love with her. He takes her to Vauxhall Gardens, where he makes an ass of himself, is very much ashamed, and refuses to keep his appointment with Becky the next day, sailing for Scotland to escape her wiles. Amelia, with her gentle sweetness, hands Becky a letter from Sir Pitt Crawley, requesting her to repair to Queen's Crawley at once. The next morning, bright and early, she takes her departure to enter Sir Pitt's household as a governess, where she meets Rawdon Crawley, youngest son of Sir Pitt, who falls captive to her charms, bringing upon himself the displeasure of the whole Pitt family. He, notwithstanding, marries Becky. (Reel Two) After their marriage, Becky Sharpe and Rawdon Crawley take up elegant lodgings at Mayfair. Rawdon, who is a captain in the English Army, is resplendent in his uniform. They are visited by their military friends; Captain Dobbin is there with Amelia Osborne and her husband, Lieutenant Osborne, who is fascinated by Mrs. Crawley. A week later they sail for Brussels. At Brussels they attend a ball given by the Duchess of Richmond, at which Becky meets the Marquis of Steyn and where they receive notice of the Battle of Waterloo. All is excitement and the others are soon on their way to the field of action, where Lieutenant Osborne is killed. A month after the battle, Becky Crawley turns to the ensnaring of Lord Steyne, who with crafty and villainous intent, lays siege to the overthrow of Captain Crawley in order that he may continue his alliance with his wife. Crawley gets heavily in debt at the gaming tables of Lory Steyne, is unable to pay and the unscrupulous Steyne throws him into prison. (Reel Three) Colonel Rawdon Crawley writes a note to his wife to raise money to secure his release. She replies falsely that she is sick but will implore Lord Steyne to show Rawdon leniency, signing herself, "Yours affectionately, Becky." Colonel Crawley, in despair, sends to his brother for assistance. Pitt hastens to his brother's succor. Rawdon immediately goes to big wife's apartments and finds her with Lord Steyne, whom he throttles, and leaves Becky forever. Major William Dobbin marries Amelia Osborne. Amelia and Major Dobbin learn of Becky's downfall. They visit her in her misfortune and find her dissipated but unconquered. She refuses aid from Mr. and Mrs. Dobbin and is left by her friends to her own waywardness.
- That the way to a man's heart is by means of his appetite, is strikingly shown. Mother-in-law comes to visit the newly wedded couple and finds the young man somewhat discontented. It is no wonder, for his wife is so engrossed in her "art," although only an amateur, that she forgets all about cooking dinner and such like trivialities. Her mother shows her the error of her ways and son-in-law becomes very fond of her. Wifey's jealousy is aroused and she shows that she can cook just as well. Having restored harmony to the household, mother-in-law returns home, leaving nothing but happy memories behind her.
- Ann reluctantly agrees to leave her beloved New York City to accompany her sick brother on a trip out West, which he must take for his health. There she meets hunky ranch foreman Bob Raymond. He's interested in her, but she feels so lost outside of New York that she rebuffs his advances. However, the more she gets to know him, the more she begins to rethink her attitude--although she still cant wait to get back to New York. Bob has his own ideas about that.
- Natural-born mimic Glory Quayle leaves her country home, reaches London, goes on the stage, and gains fame and affluence. Her country sweetheart John Storm, believing he has lost Glory forever, enters a monastery, tries to forget her, cannot kill his love, returns to the world, and becomes a famous slum worker and friend of the poor. Social vampire Lord Robert Ure, a beast in human form, betrays Glory's chum Polly Love. Glory tells John of Lord Robert's wicked treatment of poor Polly. John demands that Lord Robert marry Polly to save her from dishonor. Lord Robert refuses, as he intends to marry a rich American heiress, and a terrific clash erupts between the Right of John and the Might of Lord Robert. John exposes Lord Robert, who swears revenge. Polly dies of shame and a broken heart. Lord Robert plans fiendish revenge on John. He broadcasts the report that John predicts the end of the world on Derby Day, the greatest day of sport in England. John becomes an object of hatred. All Britain wrought up by John's alleged prediction. His former friends become bitter foes. The uneducated and weak are in mortal fear. Thousands and thousands incite riots against John Widespread and awful panics in the slums. Derby Day becomes a day of terror. (Wonderful scenes of the world-famous Derby Race, with its great horses and its terrific crowds, taken in England especially for these scenes.) John is a target for the vengeance of everyone, both rich and poor. He stands alone, with all the world against him. Glory rushes to his aid, quells the angry hordes and saves him from them. Through persecution, John's mind becomes unbalanced. That night, fearful for Glory, John goes to her home, tries to kill her to save her from a fate like the one which befell poor Polly. Glory rises supreme makes a magnificent defense, recalls John to his senses, helps establish his innocence, proves Lord Robert's guilt, accepts John's love, joins him for life, be it better or worse and in spite of the terror, the deep disappointment, the tribulations, the misunderstandings, in spite of all, Glory and John find happiness in each other's love.
- Wife plots to cure her husband of his inveterate poker playing.
- Helene Marie, on the run from the Russian police in St. Petersburg, plots to kill the Czar.
- A poor young girl finds a purse and returns it to its owner, who decides to reward her honesty.
- Mr. Curtis returns to his Alma mater and regales students with stories about the Civil War, which ended fifty years before. He tells them about his college friends, Dick Randolph and Watkins, who were at first rivals for Marian - who far preferred Dick - and then rivals on the battlefield. Watkins, a Union officer, captured Dick, a Confederate, but Marian helped her sweetheart escape. Watkins and Dick were then wounded in the same battle and died in each other's arms after asserting their friendship and forgetting their past differences. Back in the present, an aged Marian joins the group. She dies while listening to Mr. Curtis, and fifty years after she and Dick had been lovers in the flesh, her spirit goes to join his.
- Binks is addicted to drink. His wife seeks to cure him. One day she meets the Misses Simms, twins. A happy idea comes to her and she invites the girls to spend a few days at her home, acquainting them with her scheme to cure her husband of his insatiable habit. They arrive at Mrs. Binks' home, dressed exactly alike. That evening, when Mr. Binks returns from business, somewhat drunk, his wife introduces him to one of the girls, while the other hides directly behind her. John is delighted to meet the young lady. He turns his back, and upon looking at her again he sees her double. This causes him to hold his eyes and question his senses. When he takes his hands from his eyes and looks again he only sees one. He is convinced that he is seeing double. Wherever he turns he sees the girl in pairs. He goes to bed, and has no sooner gotten located than he sees the double girl looking through his window, with candles in their hands. The ruse proves successful and Binks is cured.
- In 1876, Lt. Tony Britton of the 7th Cavalry is in love with pretty young Barbara Manning, but the wife of his superior, Capt. Granson, is in love with him and begs him to run away with her. Britton refuses, but is soon sent to arrest Sioux chief Rain-in-the-Face, who has murdered two soldiers from the 7th. He captures his quarry and carts him off to jail, infuriating the local Indians. When Capt. Granson learns of his wife's infatuation with Britton, he makes trouble for Britton, who is soon forced to resign his commission. He signs up as an army scout, and learns that the Indians are planning to attack and massacre the 7th under the command of Col. George Armstrong Custer. Can he get to Custer in time to warn him of the impending attack, and will he--a disgraced army officer--be believed?
- Two fast friends, Donald Scott and Elbert Kenyon, are very much in love with the same girl, Ethel Morris. She becomes engaged to Donald, but finally decides to marry Elbert. Donald is deeply grieved, but acknowledges that his means would not permit him to support Ethel in the same style in which her father has kept her, and is glad that Elbert's wealth will enable her to enjoy much more happiness than he could possibly give her. At the wedding, Donald acts as best man. On her way upstairs to put on her traveling suit, she picks from the floor the engagement ring which she had returned to Donald and which he had just dropped from his pocket. She looks at it. Donald, who is sitting meditatively nearby, rises from his chair, and taking her hands in his, tells her how he loves her, embraces her and tries to kiss her. She tells him that she is married to Elbert and he is not acting the part of a gentleman to presume upon catching her unprotected and alone. She tries to resist him and in her efforts to do so, a large bouquet of violets which she wears in her corsage is crushed by Donald's violent embrace. At this moment Elbert comes into the hallway and, seeing her agitation, asks her the cause. She tries to explain. He looks at the crushed bouquet and the violet stains on Donald's shirt front, leaves her, going from the house to a hotel, refusing all overtures. Donald finally calls upon Elbert, confesses his contemptible behavior and breach of friendship to him and his wife, and expressing the hope that Elbert will not hold Ethel guilty of any indiscretion, as he alone is guilty, and had urged the attentions, which she resisted. Elbert 'phones Ethel, tells her that he knows that she is innocent of any wrongdoing, and asks her to start at once on the honeymoon, which had been so ruthlessly interrupted by their false friend.
- Suffering with ennui, bored by society, Annie Bradley, a wealthy girl, is anxious to make her time more profitable by doing something worthwhile. Alice Godfrey, a nurse on the Floating Hospital of the local Guild, pays Annie a visit and suggests to her that she interest herself in settlement work among the poor and accompany her on a tour through the tenement districts. Annie consents and she soon finds herself so interested in the work, she makes application for an appointment as a visiting nurse. She is accepted and joins in the work of attending the sick children on the Floating Hospital. Her tenderness and efficiency is noticed by Dr. Ferguson, the physician in charge, and her compliments her on her work. This courtesy leads to a friendship between her and the Doctor which ripens into love. They are obliged, by the rules of the Hospital, to do their courting in secret, while on shipboard. The Doctor proposes to Annie, and finding him so different from the men among the wealthy set with whom she is acquainted, she readily accepts him. They are secretly married. Annie continues her labors among the poor and it is not until some time after they are married that the Doctor learns by accident of Annie's wealth and social prominence. She tells him that she appreciates his ambition but he can rest assured that her money will contribute very greatly to their comfort while he is rising to a high position in his profession. He is encouraged by her willingness to assist, but convinces her that he will value her love and sweetness of character in the future, as he has in the past, above the wealth of all the world.
- When a letter from another woman falls from her boyfriend's pocket, she and her friends form the Men Haters Club. The boys quickly arrange into the Follow the Girls Club in the hopes of winning them back.
- The day before Christmas, little Nell and Bess and brother Tom, in their squalid tenement room, give all their pennies to their 18-year-old sister Anne to buy Christmas presents for them. Anne looks at them with a sad little smile as she allows the few savings to trickle through her fingers onto the table. Their father, a middle-aged man between jobs, comes home and shares the meager supper. With her chum Jane, Anne returns to the department store in the evening to work. She carelessly leaves her small purse on the leather-goods counter where she is employed--and it's stolen. Mrs. Vandeveer, a wealthy customer, drops a bank bill unnoticed, which Anne later discovers and decides to keep to buy toys. She goes to the cloakroom where, instead of placing it in the pocket of her own coat, she by mistake conceals it in the pocket of Jane's. Mrs. Vanderveer discovers her loss and notifies the floorwalker. That night at the store, Jane finds the money. Jane is taken into custody. Anne dares not confess. She wanders out alone into the snow-swept night. She gets Mrs. Vandeveer's address and slips into her house with a group of gaily-dressed men and women arriving for the Christmas Eve ball. The brilliantly-lit interior dazzles her. Teddy Vandeveer, home from college, sees Anne and takes her to his mother. Between sobs, Anne tells of the stolen money. Filled with the spirit of Christmas, Teddy goes to the great Christmas tree in the glistening ballroom, where he and the guests strip it of its toys. With Anne they all go to the police station and release Jane; journeying then to Anne's home they fill the little stockings with toys and pile high the room with gifts so that a scene of wonder greets the enraptured youngsters on Christmas morn.
- Rejected by Mabel Hinton, Bob Legrande goes west on business with Raymond Condon, his partner and successful rival for Mabel's love. About midnight on the Special Western Limited, Condon steps out on the rear platform of the Pullman to take the air. He is followed by Legrande, who diabolically attacks him and tries to throw him off the fast-moving train. A violent struggle ensues and Condon, in self-defense, throws Legrande over the railing. This last act is witnessed by a young country couple, who are driving along in a buggy and hurry to the aid of Legrande. The train is stopped and backed up to the spot. Legrande, unconscious, is carried to a nearby farmhouse, followed by the passengers. A physician is summoned. Condon is taken to the county jail. Legrande, believing he is going to die, writes Mabel Hinton a confession of his crime, writing on the envelope, "In case of my death to be delivered. If I recover, to be returned to me unopened." The doctor takes the letter, agreeing to carry out instructions. The doctor leaving next day, for a six months' trip abroad, the letter is packed in his trunk, with his coat and forgotten. Months later, in Cairo, he comes upon it and believing Legrande to be dead, forwards it. Condon, in the meantime, is tried for attempted murder, the charge being pressed by Legrande who has recovered. Found guilty, the letter arrives just in time to change the verdict of the jury and save the innocent Condon from condemnation.
- A wealthy Cincinnati brewer and his daughter get caught in the affairs of a European kingdom.
- The Earl of Clanranald, obliged against his will to attend a meeting of conspirators against King James (II) of England, is arrested. His death warrant is signed by the King and dispatched to Edinburgh by Sir Harry Richmond of the King's Bodyguard. Lady Katherine, the Earl's daughter, dresses up as a highwayman meets and later holds up the King's messenger. She receives a sword wound in her shoulder, but secures the warrant and burns it. Upon hearing her story, Sir Harry promises to do all in his power to secure the release of Lady Katherine's father.
- Jean Ware, a girl of sterling character, is employed as a model by Armand Colt, a young sculptor. She meets Richard Cortland, a millionaire, and a friend of Armand's; they fall in love and are married. Jean dares not tell her husband she was Armand's model, as he is known as a reckless fellow. Shortly after their marriage, the sculptor insists that she pose for his latest masterpiece, "A Daughter of Eve." By threatening to tell her husband, he succeeds in getting her to pose for him in secret. At an exhibition where Armand's work wins first prize, Richard accidentally learns his wife posed for the statue, and confronts the sculptor, who admits the truth. Cortland is furious and tries to strike him. Richard and his wife, after a severe quarrel separate. In his rage and jealousy, he takes a revolver and hurries to the sculptor's apartment, determined to kill Jean if he finds her there. While he is menacing Armand, the bell rings and Richard quickly hides behind the portieres. Jean is admitted and Richard hears her tell the sculptor, "You know I am innocent of wrong, now set me right in my husband's eyes." Deciding he has judged his wife too harshly, Richard steps into the room, only to find she has gone. Fearing what she may do in her present state of mind, he rushes after her, arriving in time to save the girl from plunging into the lake. Jean begs him to let her go, but he presses her to him, begging forgiveness. Her sorrow is changed to gladness, their lips meet in a passionate kiss and both start life anew, with a better understanding of each other.
- Ira Wilton and his son-in-law Harry Bennett resort to the subterfuge of telling their wives that they are members of the Thirteenth Regiment, to be sure of having a night off each week, Friday night, for the regiment drills. They substantiate their deception by bringing into their little game Ira's daughter Laura and her fiancé Jack Brent, a genuine member of the Thirteenth. Their deception runs along nicely until one Friday night when the men have gone to the club, their wives find the invitation, and are just about to start out when they discover that the water pipe has burst. Laura informs the men by telephone what is discovered, and warns them to hurry home. They arrive and find that the kitchen and dining room are flooded, and, after all has been given a good soaking, Lord Dudley, an admirer of Laura, manages to stop the flow of water. Just as the trouble concerning the flood has subsided, Jack Brent arrives home and tells the men that the Thirteenth has been ordered to the front. The husbands, seeing a good chance to take a little vacation, purchase soldiers' clothing and fall in behind the Thirteenth Regiment as it passes their wives, but slip out as soon as it is out of sight. They then go to the barn, where they substitute their soldiers' habiliments for civilian clothes and then make all possible haste to the lake, where they intend to spend a little vacation. But their vacation is short-lived, for one day they see in the newspapers that the entire Thirteenth regiment has been wiped out. They hurry home to the old barn, where they get into their regimentals as quickly as possible--not forgetting to add a few rents here and there, to make it appear as if they have had a terrible struggle at the front and in escaping. When they arrive home they observe that Mrs. Wilton's brother has returned from the West and promised to take care of the "widows." In reply to Lena's (the fat cook), question concerning her lover Conrad, they were just about to tell her that he died with her name on his lips, when in come Harry and Conrad with the news that the newspaper report was all wrong. Ira and Harry fix it up with Conrad, and Jack, desiring to keep on the right side of the old man, tells the women that the men had a terrible fight, and brother Tom forgets about asking questions when a couple of good cigars are shoved into his mitt.
- The Jester falls in love with the Princess. The Princess cannot abide him and when he declares his love, she laughs derisively and points to the water of the fountain at which he is sitting, telling him to gaze into it and behold the reflection of his unattractive countenance. He recognizes the hopelessness of his suit, and when he discovers the Princess in tryst with the handsome young shepherd, the Jester is filled with jealous rage and at once notifies the King. The shepherd is arrested and brought to the King, who pronounces a sentence of death upon him. The Princess throws herself upon the neck of her lover and clings to him, while she implores her father to spare his life. The King's Jester is touched with remorse. He immediately sets about freeing the shepherd and helping the young couple to escape from the kingdom. He goes to the chamber of the Princess and tells her of his plans, then hastens with his dogs to the King's court, where he finds the young shepherd bound before being led to the scaffold. At once the Jester starts his pranks, putting his dog through many tricks and setting the whole court in roars of laughter, and entirely absorbing their attention. Passing behind the shepherd, he cuts his bonds and tells him to hasten forth into the garden, where he will find the Princess and two horses waiting for him and to make haste across the borders of the kingdom, while he holds the audience. Upon discovering the escape of the shepherd, all is excitement. Search is made for his whereabouts, but too late. The Princess and the shepherd are far beyond their reach.
- Mr. Jack is a gay dog. In Doctor Gallagher he has a friend after his own heart. The fact that they are married means nothing in their lives. They start out with their wives for an evening's entertainment. They start, that's all. As soon as their better halves get interested in the opera they give them the "slip." Then things happen rapidly. Doctor Gallagher gets into trouble with a chauffeur who tries to overcharge them. He is arrested and put under a big fine. Mr. Jack, through mixed identities, succeeds in getting a politician, whom he has cured of ailments, while posing as Gallagher, to use his influence in getting the Doctor out. Mr. Jack is not much of an M.D., but he is a considerable "fixer." He relieves a charming widow of a headache and all he uses is champagne. He is later made to realize that the delightful lady is somewhat of a "reliever" herself; his watch and diamond scarf pin being among the missing. Needless to say, he is suddenly attacked with one of the worst headaches of his gay career.
- Through the machinations of John Gates, a dishonest employee, Martin Drew, affianced to Helen Redmond, is wrongfully accused of theft in the bank where the two men work. Although in love with him, Helen lacks the moral courage to stand by Martin in his hour of trial, and breaks off their engagement. Discouraged, Martin goes to a distant city, but fails to find employment. He meets Edna Thompson by rescuing her from two toughs. He falls in love with her and she frankly tells him her life's history and its many vicissitudes and questionable associations. With a full understanding of her past, they are married and go to the country. Martin and Edna succeed, after a time, in securing a farm to work on shares, and are very happy in the new life. Gates, the dishonest cashier, is detected in a serious defalcation, and before being taken to jail, confesses to the directors of the bank that Martin is not guilty of the previous theft. The bank officials immediately get in touch with Martin, and he is reinstated as cashier of the bank. Edna has misgivings at the thought of the change, but for a time they live happily in the city. Helen Redmond, still in love with Martin, is very bitter on learning he is married, and her love is turned to hate. She learns in a peculiar way of Edna's past and forces her to go away by threatening to reveal it. Edna at first refuses, but for Martin's sake she at last goes quietly away to the little country farmhouse where she and Martin had been so happy. He is furious on learning of her departure, curses Helen and follows Edna with all possible speed. He finds her sitting disconsolately on the doorstep of the little house, and the shadows of the past are soon forgotten in their reunion in the midst of sunshine and love.
- After heavy loss at the gaming table, Edna Marshall exercises her wiles on Mr. Harold Ainsley, an aged and wealthy American gentleman, whom she meets at an afternoon tea. She does not love him, but she must have money. He proposes to her and they are married. After the honeymoon, her husband's nephew comes to visit them at their home, for a few week's vacation. The young wife longs for younger society. She endeavors to arouse the nephew's love for her and add him to her list of conquests. He resists her charms, and in revenge, she tells her husband that she has been insulted by his nephew. Mr. Ainsley, in anger, calls the younger man to account, and accuses him of violating his confidence. The young man declares his innocence and insists that Mrs. Ainsley be called before them. She appears and when she is confronted by the young man, she confesses her duplicity. Her husband repudiates her and his nephew denounces her. She realizes her great mistake when she finds herself cast off by both men. She is overwhelmed with remorse and shame.
- Tom Ennis, a stalwart, sturdy fellow, is apprenticed to John Matthews, the village blacksmith, whose daughter is a likable girl. Tom falls in love with her, but her father opposes him and Meg marries one who is her father's choice. Five years later, Meg, who is now a widow, brings her little son to see the forge, where his grandfather, now dead, worked. Tom, who purchased the blacksmith shop, is still a bachelor, slightly embittered. The presence of the young widow and her child act as a reminder of his life's disappointment. The part of the village in which this life portrayal takes place, is situated on the banks of a swift running stream. It is springtime and the freshet overflows the river and sweeps everything before it. The house in which Meg and her child live, is carried away. The child, clinging to a part of the building, is seen in the midst of the torrent. Tom rushes to the scene of the disaster and seeing the child imperiled, plunges into the waters and rescues it. He carries the little one to his shop, wraps it in his coat and holds it tenderly near the blazing forge. Meg, who escapes the flood, finds the child safe in the arms of the noble blacksmith. Meg is now homeless. Tom offers her the shelter of his home. This unselfishness on the part of Tom is too much for Meg. She acknowledges that she is unworthy of his kindness, but he assures her that it is all his pleasure. Both are drawn towards each other by expressions of love and the realization of their fondest dreams is consummated in marriage.
- Old Peter Fogg, William Fogg's uncle, has a stroke of paralysis, and Dr. Jack Manly, who is in love with William Fogg's daughter Milly, orders him to the seaside. Milly, however, is in love with Loring, an adventurer whom Jim Marvin, William Fogg's gardener, believes to be the man who eloped with his (Jim's) wife. The gardener tells Manly of his suspicions and swears vengeance should they prove to be true. Milly, horrified, overhears the conversation. Adventuress Grace Marvin hears of Peter Fogg's millions and, scheming to get possession of them, scrapes up an acquaintance with the old man. Grace's pretended kindness and affection win old Peter's love and he marries her. Loring, hearing his old friend and sweetheart Grace has married the Fogg millions, at once ceases his attentions to Milly and hastens to the seaside to renew his acquaintance with Grace. Old Fogg finds Loring and Grace in each other's arms, has an apoplectic stroke and drops dead, leaving Grace his sole heir. She and Loring return to town and announce their coming marriage. Meanwhile, Jim Marvin's suspicions concerning Loring are confirmed and he visits the Fogg home with the intention of shooting his enemy. There he finds that Grace is his former wife. He has Grace arrested for bigamy and frightens Loring so that he leaves the place forever. Milly marries Jack Manly and the Fogg Millions revert to the rightful heir.
- Mr. Jack now dictates his mail through a screen. And if you saw what was on the other side of the screen, you'd give him credit for being a sensible man. In advertising for a "steno," Jack, with an eye for feminine charm, specifies "good looking." After considerable difficulty, he secures a "pippin." She knows nothing about stenography, but with Mr. Jack this is no drawback. They become friends, and he allows her to believe him single. When wifey enters, things look quite gloomy for Jack, but he gets out of the difficulty by telling the astonished girl that she is a "looney" cousin who thinks she is his wife. Later, Mrs. Jack sees Jack and the girl in an affectionate pose. Once more Jack shows himself equal to the occasion by explaining that the stenographer is "looney" and he is trying to humor her. Mrs. Jack makes sure that the "crazy key pounder" gets the grand bounce. Jack meets the girl once more at lunch, and when wifey appears on the scene Jack beats a hasty exit, disguised as a table, leaving the impression that he is the "looniest" of the trio. The Mrs. then hires an ancient stenographer for Jack, whose only redeeming feature is her ability to write letters well. Jack saves himself much mental agony by using the aforementioned screen.
- Mark Stetson, a scheming politician, entangles the Brandons, husband and wife, and their friend, Antoinette, in his smuggling schemes and engineers their arrest, to protect himself. The picture opens with the liberation from prison, of the trio and their determination to lead a respectable life. Stetson, who has kept track of the three, knowing of their release, visits them in their home and insinuates that he still has them in his power. Fearful that his influence might again drag them from the straight path, they flee the city. Five years later, Brandon, by perseverance and industry, has achieved a position of trust in an insurance company, and Antoinette, a situation as secretary to Haddon, the popular candidate for Governor, who has fallen in love with her and presses her to marry him. Antoinette promises to become his wife, but not until after the election. Stetson, a supposed friend of Haddon, visits the lawyer's office, sees Antoinette and follows her home. He discovers she is living with the Brandon's and determines to use them in his scheme of selling Haddon to the opposition candidate. Brandon resents the politician's advances of friendship, but is compelled to accede to his wishes, though not until after a desperate struggle in which the wily schemer obtains the upper hand. During the nomination dinner the Brandons are to induce Haddon to visit a famous café, by telling him he will find Antionette and Stetson there together, cause a disturbance, creates scandal and endanger the candidate's chances for election. In the meantime, Stetson makes love to Antionette in sight of Haddon, She resents his attentions, but because of his knowledge of her past is compelled to accept them. He proposes she help him in just one more innocent little scheme and then he will go out of her life forever. Still fearful of him, she consents and they leave together. Stetson takes her to his apartments. Antionette becomes suspicious when she finds the doors locked and demands to know what he intends doing. He tells her he is going to break Haddon. Thinking Antionette is safe in his power, Stetson 'phones Brandon to go ahead. She gets an inkling of what Stetson intends doing and by a clever ruse escapes, and, by taxi, makes all speed to reach the café and Haddon in time to prevent the fulfillment of the plot. Stetson and his female accomplice follow in another machine. Antoinette's taxi dashes across a railroad track just in time to escape an oncoming train. Stetson, trying to follow, smashes into the engine and the occupants of the auto are hurled to their death. Antoinette reaches the café before the Brandons have had time to carry out the politician's orders and they, surmising something has gone wrong, decide to make the best of the situation. Haddon purchases a newspaper extra giving details of the accident. Antoinette, no longer fearing her nemesis, tells Haddon of her past, and, he forgiving, all ends happily.
- Two little children who think they are very much in love with each other, imbued with their elders' ideas, plan a romantic wedding. The boy, Alvin Strong, confides his intentions to the family's servant Jaspar. Alvin arranges with his sweetheart Jane to elope in the usual way: through a window, with the assistance of a ladder. Alvin instructs Jaspar to hitch the pony to the cart and drive him to Jane's house. He enters into the scheme, greatly enjoying the amusement it affords him. He tries to deport himself with dignity, while restraining his laughter, which almost convulses him. At dusk he drives his young master to the trysting-place where Alvin meets his fiancée, then drives them both hurriedly to the parson's. The good man, entering into the humor of the situation, makes some plausible excuse and the young couple goes away greatly disappointed. Undaunted, Alvin tells Jaspar to drive him to his cabin, where he induces Jaspar's young son to play the parson and marry them. Jaspar's wife, taking it all as child's play, goes soundly to sleep, while Jaspar peeps through the window and almost laughs himself sick. The ceremony over, Alvin directs him to take them to an ice-cream parlor. It is now getting rather late for the youngsters, and both fall asleep over their refreshments. Alvin's and Jane's parents are distracted when they miss them and immediately start searching for them. Finding them in the restaurant, they lift them tenderly in their arms and into their carriage. Alvin wearily shakes his hand in an effort to be gallant. Jane, in dreamland, is driven home and put to bed.
- Esmeralda Foster, an attractive girl, is very much impressed with Duncan Miller, a crafty country swain, who makes love to Esmeralda because of her father's wealth. Ben Holt, who has been adopted by the Fosters, is deeply and sincerely in love with Esmeralda, and his intentions are very much encouraged by Esmeralda's father, who esteems Ben very highly, in fact he has gone so far as to say that he hopes he will marry his daughter. Miss Louise Lennox, a novelist, summering in that section of the country, finds the young people a very interesting study. She readily recognizes Duncan's mercenary desire and Ben's sterling qualities. She becomes better acquainted with them through a little accident to her manuscript. Esmeralda really loves Ben, but she is infatuated by Duncan. She consents to marry the latter and induces Ben to tell her father that he cannot marry her because he does not love her. When Ben tells Mr. Foster, he is furious, and drives him from the house. Miss Lennox meets Ben making his way across the field with his kit thrown over his shoulder. She asks him the trouble and when he tells her, she, with ready wit, decides upon a scheme to show Duncan in his true colors. She first secures Ben a position at the Esmeralda Inn. She then dresses herself in her most bewitching attire, writes a note to Duncan to meet her at the Old Mill at 2 o'clock, and another note to Esmeralda to meet her at the same place at 2.30. Ben arrives promptly at 2. She talks love to him and makes herself so enchanting that he falls deeply in love with her and declares she is the only woman he ever loved. At 2.30 he is declaring on his knees that he never loved Esmeralda, who appears upon the scene and overhears him. The poor girl weeps bitterly and refuses to have anything more to do with him. Duncan flees, thoroughly ashamed of himself. Ben, who has been invited to keep himself within reach, is called by Miss Lennox. Esmeralda, when asked if she loves Ben, says she has always loved him, but did not know it. Miss Lennox takes her departure and leaves the two young sweethearts to their happiness.
- Against her brother's better judgment, Eleanor is convinced by her lover, Eric to elope with him to New York. Some time later Eric abandons her and, falling on hard times, Eleanor is forced to take shelter in a chamber of horrors. Eric, acting on a bet made with his unsavory friends, enters the same chamber of horrors and their unexpected meeting produces grisly results.
- Whenever Mr. Bunny finds himself confronted by a difficult problem, he goes to his wife with it and gets her to help him out. When Mrs. Bunny shows him an invitation she has received to join a woman suffrage club, he is very indignant and announces promptly that women have not brains enough to vote and tells his wife that on no account will he permit her to have anything to do with the movement. Bunny comes home to find a suffrage meeting in his house and raises quite a rumpus about it. but he has to go away to a meeting of the "fat men's" club, where he listens with approval to an anti-suffrage speaker. After the meeting he is invited to speak on local charities at the next meeting and returns home to prepare his speech. Accustomed as he is to asking his wife's advice, he is very disgruntled when she refuses to help him, telling him that as women have not brains enough to vote they cannot therefore help him to prepare a speech. By the end of the week he is despair and has made no progress whatsoever. His wife offers to help him on condition that he will help her receive at the suffrage club that night. Bunny consents and his wife gets things in shape for him. At the meeting of the suffrage club Bunny is delighted with the pretty women he meets and becomes enthusiastic, agreeing to march with the delegation from Manhattan at the parade in Washington. In the parade he proudly carries a suffrage banner, greatly to the amusement of members of the "fat men's" club, who cannot quite understand his sudden conversion to the "cause."
- An old maid of very prim and precise habits, Constantia Calthorpe, lives in a little semi-detached cottage with her housekeeper, Mrs. Carter and maid, Nora, also Sultan, the cat. The vacant cottage next door is taken by Grace Melleville, a young widow with her little boy, Teddy. Like most children, Teddy is boisterous, full of spirits and likes noise, all of which greatly annoys Constantia. Teddy takes a great fancy to Sultan, but can make no headway with the cat's mistress, who coldly ignores him. Several days later, Sultan is stolen by a couple of boys and Teddy follows them. Both households are soon in an uproar, and Constantia accuses Teddy of having stolen her cat. Teddy manages to rescue the cat but gets lost in the woods. He is found, becomes ill, and Constantia, on learning how he had rescued her pet, is completely won over.
- The brightest and merriest member of the traveling show, Happy-Go-Lucky, is the pet of the company. After a particularly frosty reception at a small town, they decide to paper the town. Leaving a playbill at every house. In this way Happy-Go-Lucky meets Mrs. Vanrennan, a wealthy widow, who is very lonely, her only child, Jim, being away at college. She becomes greatly attached to Happy and induces her to leave the stage and become her companion. Jim, while in college, has seen Happy during one of her tours and fallen in love with her. Home on his vacation he again meets the girl, tells her of his love and asks her to marry him. His mother witnesses the scene and maternal jealousy causes her to think Happy is scheming to fascinate and marry her son. She steps into the room, scornfully reproaches Happy, who deciding she can live no longer, quietly packs up and leaves the house. Mrs. Vanrennan learns that she had refused Jim and with a change of feeling towards the girl, prepares to make amends for her nasty words, but finds Happy gone. Jim starts out in search of her and at last finds a clue. In the waiting room of a theatrical manager's office he is told Happy is inside talking to the manager. The manager offers Happy a contract to sign and as she leans over to do so, seizes her in his arms and tries to kiss her. She struggles desperately and screams. Jim hears her, bursts in the door and chokes the manager into submission. On their arrival home, Jim goes in to see his mother alone and finds her heartbroken over Happy's absence, Jim then smilingly ushers in the girl and there is a joyful reunion.
- Dr. Manfredi, an Italian-American doctor, is a friend of Paul Hampton, United States Secret Service man, and accidentally stumbling upon a band of counterfeiters known as the "Secret Seven," Manfredi is sworn to secrecy by Sebastian, the villainous leader. Hampton, however, surmises what has happened from things his doctor friend tells him, and gains possession of one of the counterfeit bills. With this to work on, Hampton disguises himself and goes to work in the Italian quarter, Sebastian watches the doctor's movements and in that way discovers that Manfredi's sweetheart, Viola, is a girl he loved in Italy. He makes himself known to the girl and by threatening to inform the police that her father murdered her husband in Italy, forces her to break her engagement and marry him. Manfredi is broken hearted, but cowed by the receipt of letters from the "Secret Seven" is cowed into submission. But Rita, a cast-off sweetheart of Sebastian's, and a member of the "Secret Seven" learns that he has married Viola and filled with jealous rage, determines on revenge. She goes to the Fiori home, where the wedding ceremony has just been completed, finds Sebastian, and upon his refusal to give up Viola, stabs him. Viola finds the body and is accused of killing Sebastian. Viola protests her innocence, and tells the story of how he had used his hold over her father to force her into a marriage with him, and proves that her father killed a man in self-defense, only. Meanwhile, Hampton has raided the counterfeiter's den, captured Rita and the gang, and on being brought to the Fiori home, the woman confesses she killed Sebastian. Viola and Manfredi are then happily reunited.
- Deeply absorbed in his work, author James Moran, though affectionate and considerate, will not allow his beautiful wife Isobel to interfere with his work hours. Loving life and pleasure, she cannot understand him. Moran goes to another city to confer with his publishers, and while he is away, Isobel executes a long-contemplated plan: She writes to her husband that though she admires him, she loves life, pleasure, and sunshine, and she is going home. When Moran receives this letter, he hastens home and with face white and tense with despair, enters the house, which he finds deserted. Unable to stand the loneliness of the place, he sails for a foreign country. Out at sea, the steamer is wrecked and hundreds lose their lives. Moran helps the women and children into the lifeboats and just as the steamer is going down, jumps into the sea and gains a piece of wreckage to which he clings. Washed ashore on a lighthouse isle, Moran finds new friends in the lighthouse keeper and his wife and their little grandchild. He feels keenly his failure to have made has wife happy, and tortured by memories, he writes his great work, in solitude, called "The Memories That Haunt." The work is published as the work of an unknown author and scores a tremendous success. It is commented on as very like the work of Moran, though deeper. Isobel, reading it, feels that only her husband could have written the book, then laughs at the idea, and finally, drawn by the memories that haunt, visits the lighthouse island. Here, posing as a tourist, she induces the keeper and his wife to let her see the writer's room. She can find no clue to the writer's identity. Moran returns to his friends on the island and is told in jest that, "There is one of them tourists up there now." Amused, he goes up to take a peek at her--and comes face-to-face with his wife. Complete understanding and reconciliation follow.
- Jack finds his calling at last. At his wife's request, he goes into business, and you can just guess what kind of a business he picks out. That's right. He opens a theatrical agency for ladies only, and more congenial labor never could be invented so far as Jack is concerned. Business flourishes the first day, and Jack has a bevy of queens in the office, so he hangs up the handy "closed for the day" signs and starts rehearsing. Mrs. Jack, at home, is impatient for his return, and finally, unable to wait any longer, starts out for the office. Sounds of revelry greet her ears at the door of her husband's office, but when she enters, all she can see is Jack at the telephone, and various covers, which had just been removed from the new furniture, lying all over the floor. She is puzzled until she sees a dainty size three foot protruding from one of the covers. It would cause great sorrow to relate the tragic incidents which followed. Suffice it to say that the sign on the office now reads "closed for good."
- As a structural iron-worker, Ned Carney firmly believes in the theory of putting money by for a rainy day. His daughter, Fay, places her little savings in the miniature savings bank, the children have established in school. Among Ned's fellow-employees on the big skyscraper, are Bill Lafferty and Red Grogan, who spend a large portion of their wages in the corner saloon. While riding a girder to the seventeenth story, Ned slips, his foot catches in the chain, and be is hanging head-down when Bill, from the top story, sees his terrible predicament, slides down the cable and hauls him back onto the girder to safety. Both Ned and his wife, Nell, are very grateful to Bill, and Grogan induces Bill to tell her a hard-luck story and secure her assistance. After recovering from his experience, Ned invests his savings in a pretty little cottage. Ned is given a special job in one of the caissons and persuades two of the sand-hogs to start a bank account. During lunch-time at the saloon, Ned knocks Bill down, in reply to an insulting remark. That afternoon, Ned goes down into the caisson alone and Grogan prevails upon Bill to take revenge on Ned by shutting off the air pressure, overcoming the man below and allowing the water to pour into the caisson. Ned has a very narrow escape from drowning, but is rescued in the nick of lime by the sand-hogs. He refuses to "squeal" on Bill, who, in gratitude, promises to reform, swears off drinking and begins to save his money. Grogan, who will not listen, goes from bad to worse, is arrested for attempted forgery and imprisoned. Five years later, Ned and Bill, now partners and strong friends, have a prosperous business of their own, as a reward of their combined thrift.
- Why will visitors always give short notice? think the three Misses Bardell, the morning they receive a letter announcing the arrival of their Aunt Lydia in the afternoon. All is hustle and bustle, for although they have never seen the old lady, they know she is a particular housekeeper and their own household is upside-down. The maid declines to be hustled about by three people at once and leaves in a huff. In despair the sisters 'phone to an employment agency for a maid and anxiously await her arrival; it does not occur to them to tidy the house themselves. Aunt Lydia, dressed very simply and plainly, arrives at the house and is mistaken for the expected maid. She is given a countless number of tasks to do all at once and starts cleaning up. While she is sweeping the steps, the real maid arrives and is coaxed by Aunt Lydia to impersonate her. The maid, as Aunt Lydia, is received well by the girls, who shower her with kindness despite the fact that she drinks out of a saucer and makes similar faux-pas. Behind her back, the girls make fun of her, disgusting the real aunt, who is waiting on them as maid. The girls' manner becomes so overbearing that the real aunt discloses her identity and, telling the girls that her money will be left to charity, she departs, taking the maid with her.
- Mrs. de Marigny, a widow, without funds, leaves her little daughter, Grace, at a foundling asylum. That same day, an unidentified waif is found by the riverside and brought to the asylum, and through the carelessness of a nurse the babies are wrongly tagged. Several weeks later Mrs. Marigny returns for her baby, but learns it has been adopted by the wealthy Van Dorns, and decides to let her stay with them. The real Grace has been adopted by a couple named Whitfield, who set her to work in a dressmaking establishment when she is fourteen. The Van Dorns have named their adopted child "Beatrice," and at fourteen she is already beginning to show signs of inherited criminal tendencies. She steals from her foster-parents, who are willing to return her to her supposed mother, Mrs. de Marigny, now Mrs. Burleson, but through the absence of an identifying scar on the girl's arm, it is discovered that Beatrice is not her daughter. Meantime, the Whitfields are having a hard time and Grace is the sole support of the household. Beatrice goes from bad to worse, and spreads ruin and misery among those who came in contact with her. She finally runs away with a crook, Spider, and becomes a woman gangster. Greenfield, a political crook, recognizes in Beatrice the daughter of his dead wife who had run away. Determined to reform the girl, Greenfield, on finding he cannot, kills her, then shoots himself, while Mr. and Mrs. Burleson learn from Mrs. Whitfield and the Foundling Asylum authorities that Grace is their own daughter.
- While living with Sam, her guardian, Bab's father dies, leaving her an orphan. Sam, who is a well-to-do farmer, is in love with his ward, but feeling he is too old for her, keeps silent. Bab's aunt in the city, Mrs. Ravell-Farnsworth, plans with Lord Merton, an unscrupulous society idler, to take advantage of the fact that Bab will inherit her grandfather's comfortable fortune. In return she expects Merton to aid her in attaining her social aspirations. She then sends for Bab to come on to the city and stay for a lengthy visit to "acquire a style of living and manner becoming a lady." Sam parts with the girl with a saddened heart and broods over her absence. Auntie aids Lord Merton in his suit for Bab's hand, and she, not knowing the man's character, consents to become his wife. She writes Sam of her coming marriage and he suffers keenly. When all preparations are made, Bab, the night before her wedding, overhears the lord demand additional settlements, under threat of breaking off the match. Stunned, she slips away unnoticed, and goes straight back to Sam. She finds him gazing into the fire and dreaming of her. After a joyful reunion, Sam's ward becomes his sweetheart and affianced wife.
- Wolf Salzman leaves his wife Sarah and son Alex with his parents in Russia and sets off to America. He perseveres, and soon becomes the chief designer for the clothing firm that employs him. Intoxicated by his success he forgets his wife and son and after a time ceases to write to them. Meeting Miss Morgenstern, the daughter of the head of a rival clothing firm, he falls in love with her and prepares to divorce his wife so that he may marry the young woman. Sarah is in despair at not hearing from her husband and eventually sails for America, intending to seek him out, convinced that some misfortune must have befallen him. The firm of Morgenstern and Son suffers severely from the competition of the firm employing Wolf and tries to secure his services. Wolf insists that if he work for Morgenstern he shall be made a partner of the firm. Morgenstern reluctantly agrees, with the proviso that Wolf change his name to that of Victor, his former partner. Wolf's identity being lost, Sarah and Alex, who have arrived in New York, are unable to find him. Their little stock of money being gone, they are reduced to severe distress, but at length they manage to obtain employment, Alex as an errand boy, and his mother as a finisher, both working for the firm of Morgenstern. Wolf, having obtained his divorce, is about to propose to Miss Morgenstern. He writes a letter to her and gets a bouquet of flowers to send with it. Asking for an errand boy to take the flowers, his son is sent to him. In course of a talk with the boy, Wolf learns of the privation that Sarah has suffered in seeking him and is filled with remorse. He tears up the letter to the young woman and sends for his wife, asking her forgiveness. Sarah and Alex are proudly acknowledged by Wolf as his wife and son and he does his best to atone for the great wrong he had done against them.
- Making his way through the forest, Little Eagle, the son of Black Hawk, the Indian chief, is caught beneath a falling tree which holds him captive. Mr. Bower, a backwoodsman, living with his family in a log cabin, happens along and finds the boy, whom he releases. The boy's leg is broken and he is greatly exhausted. Mr. Bower carries him to his home, where he is cared for and nursed back to health by Mrs. Bower. The lad becomes greatly attached to the Bower family and stays with them a long time, serving them in every way he can, in gratitude for their kindness. His father. Black Hawk, learns where he is, and insists that he shall leave the cabin and come back with him to his tribe. The boy obeys, but whenever possible, makes off without his father's knowledge to the Bower home. The chief is greatly angered and threatens to kill the Bowers if he continues to associate with them. He does not heed his father's injunction and is punished for disobedience. The boy overhears his father in consultation with the braves, arrange for an attack upon the Bowers cabin. Mr. Bowers, who has gone into the woods with a companion, has left his wife and little daughter alone. Little Eagle hastens to tell them they must flee at once. He leads them to the riverbank and draws forth a canoe from the bushes, tells them to jump in and paddle downstream as fast as they can, while he will return to the cabin and keep the Indians at bay until Mrs. Bower and her child are safely out of reach. He goes back to the log house, bars the door and when the Indians attach the cabin, he shoots at them, standing them off for some time. They make a detour of the cabin and climbing to the roof, set it afire. It is soon enveloped in flames, and he dies in the fire a hero, to gratitude and his friends. Mrs. Bower and her child make their way down the river until they reach her husband. She tells him of the boy's faithfulness. They all hasten back to the cabin only to find it in ruins, too late to save their grateful little friend.
- Samuel Herman, a composer, in seeking recognition for fame and fortune, goes to Paris and takes a position in a small music hall, playing there at night and writing music during the day. His compositions do not find a market and disappointed and disheartened, he sends them to his wife and daughters in America, to be disposed of by them if possible. He loses his memory through an attack of aphasia. His wife and daughters dispose of his compositions for $100,000. They send word to their father to the address which he had given them, but no one knows what has become of him and so the letter is returned unclaimed with a report that the professor is dead. Two years afterwards Herman's memory returns when he hears his music played upon the street and he determines, after he has fully recovered, to return to America. He goes to his old home and is told by the janitor that his family has moved away when they become rich. He makes his way to the opera house where one of his operas is advertised to be sung that night. As he is entering, his wife and daughters, in evening costume, alight from a limousine and pass in without recognizing him, so changed is his appearance. He gets a seat in the front row of the gallery, where he listens intently and raptly to the music which his own brain conceived, and the hand with which he is unconsciously beating time has written. He does not see his wife and daughters, sitting in the opera box, applauding and taking to themselves the credit and fame of the father and husband. After the performance everybody leaves but the professor, who is left sitting there alone. The lights are put out and the hand of death closes the old man's eyes and he awakens in Heaven.
- Vincent Strong, who is acknowledged to be the greatest living ship-designer, is terribly jealous of his reputation. He is considerably annoyed when his brother apprentices his son to him and asks him to make him as great as himself. Nonetheless he takes Carl into his office and gives him every opportunity to learn. Before long Vincent Strong realizes that Carl is determined to be as great a craftsman as himself, if not greater. He becomes uncontrollably jealous, the more so when he realizes that Janice Barnes, the daughter of the president of the S.S. Company, and with whom he is in love, prefers Carl to himself. So egotistic is he that he neglects his invalid wife, who dies while he is courting Janice at a dance. Carl sees Strong's design for a new ship which Barnes is building. He notices that it contains a serious flaw. He tells his uncle of this and shows how the mistake may be covered. Strong tells him that he is an ingrate and impudent upstart. The ship is built in accord with the faulty drawings. Carl rushes into a directors' meeting of the company and tells of what he has discovered. But they will not heed his warning. The ship is launched and Vincent sails with her on her maiden trip. Barnes calls another directors' meeting and Carl tells them that the ship will never reach port, convincing them that he is right. With drawn looks the white-haired directors sit around the office table and, thinking of the thousands of passengers who will perish, all because one man could not master his egotism, and they were blind to the truth. When three days out a terrific tremor is felt by those on the vessel and she founders quickly before all the life-boats can be gotten away from her, taking the panic-stricken passengers down with it, including Vincent Strong. At that very moment Carl is signing a contract to become head ship-designer for the company, and he obtains consent to marry Janice. The next generation has triumphed.
- Haywood, a suitor for the hand of Elida Rumsey, is severely reprimanded by her for not enlisting when President Lincoln calls for volunteers. Being deeply interested in the cause, Elida goes and helps Mrs. Pomeroy minister to sick and wounded soldiers. She becomes a favorite with the men, for she frequently sings to them. This attracts Lincoln's attention, and he introduces her to M. Fowle, a mission worker who is becoming discouraged by the soldiers' lack of response to his efforts. Elida's singing awakens the dormant spark of manhood, and more men enlist. In order to stir patriotism, President Lincoln requests Elida to sing at a concert. Haywood comes and is induced to enlist, which pleases Elida so much that Fowle, who has grown to love her, thinks that he is her lover. He keeps his love for her in silence. Some time later Elida and Fowle are ordered to the front, where there has been an enormous carnage. Elida finds Haywood seriously wounded, after leading a gallant charge to victory. She does all in her power to save him, but he passes away. Fowle's sympathy is so marked that Elida is lead to believe that he has been under the impression that Haywood was her lover. She tells him that he was nothing more to her than a friend. Fowle seizes the opportunity and tells her of his love for her. They are wed in the presence of President Lincoln in the only marriage solemnized at the Capitol.
- Edna and Alice, the twins, get positions as stenographers in the offices of Mr. Redman and Mr. Carter. Redman is short and fussy, Carter, stout and nervous. They happen to be friends, and exchange phone confidences about their new stenographers. Both flirt with the girls. Redman invites Alice to dinner and gives this as a reason in refusing Carter's invitation to the Club. Carter, not to be outdone, dispatches a note to Edna who has gone home, asking her to meet him at Stanley's restaurant. While he waits, Redman enters the restaurant with Alice. Carter, believing her to be Edna, follows, but they have disappeared into a private dining room. Edna arrives and is perplexed at not finding Carter. She enters and meets him in the hallway, to be accused of having just entered with another man. She denies it. They get a dining room where they enjoy an excellent meal. Alice leaves Redman to phone her mother. Carter leaves Edna to get a cigar. Carter meets Alice they have a scene and separate, angry. Meanwhile, Redman and Edna, tired of waiting, start to look for their partners; they meet, and she ignores him. He leaves her in a huff. The men coming from opposite directions, find the girls together and get the surprise of their lives. Redman picks out Alice by a flower she wears. Explanations ensue, and the four finish dinner with much laughter in Redman's dining room.
- The Count whom Mr. Barnes met while abroad, writes that he is in love with his daughter, and wishes to marry her, not to mention her father's millions. He sends with the letter a photograph of himself, which Gladys, who is an artist, endeavors to paint at the Art School Studio. The students guy her about the Count. She tells her father, and he takes occasion to reprimand the boys. They determine to play a practical joke on her. They send a telegram to Mr. Barnes, signed by the Count, saying that he has arrived earlier than expected, and requesting Mr. Barnes and Gladys to call on him at the Plaza Hotel, that evening, The students disguise themselves as counts. When the Barnes call at the Hotel, they are met by a countless army of counts. They are so chagrined, that they are glad to escape. Gladys has had enough of counts and is quite willing to accept her American sweetheart, whom she really loves. When the real Count arrives, he finds himself left.
- General Derimond, with his wife and daughter, Mathilde, are captured by pirates. The pirate captain claims Mrs. Derimond as his property. She resists. She is forced to walk the plank, and drowned. Mathilde is struck dumb by the sight. The General and Mathilde are sold as slaves to the Moors. Mathilde escapes and accomplishes her father's rescue. Colonel Birnell, a French officer, marries Mathilde. He starts to the front at the head of his regiment. Disguised as a French lancer, she accompanies him. Mohammed, the Arab Chief, is captured by the French. He attempts to shoot the Colonel and is prevented by Mathilde piercing the Arab's arm with her sabre. She volunteers to go as a French spy. She reaches the enemy's fortress, disguised as a harmless Arab boy, and allowed to remain with them. SOURCE: newpspaper advertisement (Nov.12,1912) In battle, the Arabs take Colonel Birnell prisoner. He is placed in the fortress. He suffers torture rather than betray the French army. Mathilde, as previously instructed, shoots a flaming arrow high in the air. It is the signal for the attack. The French forces burst into the fortress, routing the Arabs with great slaughter, saving Mathilde and her husband.
- On one of the Jarrs' quiet Sundays, shipping clerk Fritz calls on Jarr and tells him that his sister, the sentimental fat lady, has fallen in love with Dinkston the poet, adding that the lady has determined to die because Dinkston evinces little affection for her. Jarr feels it is none of his business, but his wife induces him to do something. Jarr visits Fatima with Fritz and finds her lying on the folding bed, which completely blockades the entrance. While they are begging her to get up so they may enter, Vera Grimm, the lady reformer, calls and learns the whole sad story. Blaming Dinkston, she starts out on his trail. She catches him, snaps a pair of handcuffs on his wrists and hustles him to Fritz's home. While struggling with the bed, first Jarr, an officer, and then Hogan. who is Dinkston's rival, are pinned beneath it. Dinkston spies Fatima coming for him and "beats it." After a chase, he takes refuge in a powerhouse and hides underneath a big dynamo. Hogan, with a fiendish desire for revenge, sneaks to the switchboard and starts the machine running. The chief engineer stops it, but too late: the poor fellow has been magnetized. Nobody can touch him. Fatima arrives, and Dinkston, with malice aforethought, embraces her. The electric shock knocks her into Hogan's arms, and snatching a pair of rubber gloves, Dinkston escapes to Jarr's home. There he takes off his gloves and attracts all the bric-a-brac in the house to himself. The police finally nab him, with the aid of a rope. At last, Fritz is seen reducing the folding bed to kindling wood, while Jarr, with a sigh of intense relief, complacently lights a cigar and blames his wife Cora for all the rumpus.
- The household of Senator Walker consists of himself, his ward, Mary, and his nephew, Herbert. The other members of his household are John, an old servant, Lucy the maid, and a half dozen more servants. John is smitten with Lacy. She doesn't take him seriously, owing to the difference in their ages. Mr. Walker, rather old and feeble, draws up his will and leaves the bulk of his property to Mary and Herbert. He bequeaths $5,000 to his faithful servant John. Herbert is very fond of his uncle. The old gentleman is very much attached to Mary and very desirous that she and Herbert should be wed at the proper time. John is anxious to make Lucy his wife, and learning he is one of the beneficiaries in the will, he is very anxious to get possession of the money, hoping it will induce Lucy to become his wife. He is so possessed with this thought that it grows to be a mania and he murders Mr. Walker. Herbert is arrested for the crime, a knife belonging to him being found near his uncle's body. Mary believes him innocent and employs the noted detective, Tom Wark, to follow up the case. He makes a search of the rooms and discovers a bloodstained handkerchief, and suspects John, the old servant. Wark has an article published in the newspapers stating that the eye of the dead man will be photographed, following out a scientific theory that the eye will show the object which was last seen by the dead man. When the servants in the Walker household read this article the next day, John is very much agitated. Later, under cover of darkness, he suspiciously enters the room where he supposes the body of Mr. Walker is lying. These facts are carefully noted. He is brought before the police, questioned, and then suddenly confronted with the bloodstained handkerchief, and finally with the photograph of himself, on the pupil of the eye. Quivering in every limb, he confesses his crime. Herbert is released from prison and received with open arms by Mary, whom he afterwards marries.
- It is a lovely, bright, sunny day, and Mrs. Rogers decides to go shopping. On her way to the stores, she meets the Rev. Mr. Stout, with whom she converses a few minutes. He, going in the same direction, very politely asks her if he can accompany her. She consents and they are walking and talking together when Priscilla Primp, whose facial characteristics are an evidence of her disposition to be considered general news budget of the town, gets a glimpse of them. She loses no time in telling all their friends and neighbors about what she has seen, not forgetting to add and to enlarge upon the incident. Mr. Stout, who is carrying Mrs. Rodgers' parasol, forgets to return it and contentedly goes his way after bidding her a cheery good-morning. Mr. Stout has not proceeded very far when he meets another brother of the cloth and they agree to continue their walk to the river, where they hold sweet converse with each other. Interested in watching some boys swimming, they both sit down on the grassy bank with the parasol ever their heads. Priscilla Primp has gotten together a number of followers who are only too anxious to gratify their suspicions. When Priscilla and her companions reach the riverbank, they are confronted by the parasol, which entirely hides the two reverend gentlemen, and immediately come to the conclusion that it shades the objects of their search. Priscilla, on tip-toes, anxiously approaches the parasol, lifts it triumphantly and shouts: "Behold the guilty pair." The Rev. Mr. Stout and his friend, Mr. Churchly, are stretched out, peacefully dreaming in the land of nod. The followers of Priscilla Primp let forth an exclamation of surprise and disappointment, which arouses the two sleeping clergymen, who are quite as much astonished when they see a number of women chasing Priscilla out on the diving board placed on the bank, and can hardly believe their eyes when they see the fleeing woman jump into the river to escape her pursuers. The Rev. Mr. Stout plunges in after her, bringing her safely to shore. Disgusted with themselves, and the much dampened Priscilla, the women beat a hasty retreat, while the two godly men laugh heartily at the drenched Priscilla, who wends her way disconsolately alone across lots, to escape the jeers and jibes of her neighbors, which she feels await her, and knows she richly deserves.
- Harry Burton's sister and her husband are suddenly called away for a few days on business and telegraph him to come to their home and take care of their two little boys, "Toddle" and "Budge." He at once complies, and is soon with the children, assuming his duties as "governor." Helen Manton, stopping in the same town, thinks a great deal of Harry Burton, and naturally he of her. This is quite noticeable in the first scene, when Harry arrives at his sister's home, where Miss Manton is waiting to receive him, on his sister's behalf. He gets a lively handling from the two boys, and before he gets through they manage to get him "in wrong" with Miss Manton, when he arranges to send her a box of flowers, and they transfer the flowers from the box to the waste basket and replace them with their "mangy" doll, which Harry sends to Miss Manton, supposing that the box contains the bouquet. When Helen receives the box and beholds the contents, she is insulted, and sends him a note to that effect. The next day Harry goes to her hotel to apologize and ask her to come to his sister's house to assist in caring for one of the children, who has become ill. She hesitates, but finally consents to go. Under her kind services the sick child is quieted when she kisses and comforts him. The little fellow insists upon Helen kissing Uncle Harry, whom he thinks everybody should love as he loves him. Harry and Helen are surprised at this request, and somewhat embarrassed, but, to humor the child, they are not unwilling subjects of his whim. The doctor and little "Budge" tiptoe from the room. "Toddle" falls in a peaceful sleep, while the two lovers stand contentedly alone in each other's arms.
- While taking an airing one afternoon on the Rialto, Lord Roberts, a diminutive, notices Claire; he later discovers she lives in the same boarding house as himself. The little fellow is very much attracted by Claire and falls in love with her. She pays no attention to him, thinking he is too small to warrant her attention, and intimates that children should be seen and not heard. He feels very hurt because she mistakes him for a child and does not realize that he is a man, both in age and feelings, even if he is not full-sized. She tries to patronize him as she does other youngsters, and he learns that she is very fond of children. He disguises himself as a small boy and certainly makes a cunning one. Claire sees him crying on the steps of the house, picks him up lovingly in her arms, and carries him indoors. Claire is very fond of Harold, a young man boarding at the house and she is often in his company. They are very affectionate to each other and it is clear that she regards him tenderly. This arouses Lord Roberts' jealousy. His efforts to best Harold cause many amusing complications. His serious efforts furnish much entertainment for Harold and Claire, and to keep it up, they carry out the joke as far as they can. The little nobleman comes to the conclusion that the joke is getting too funny and he accepts the inevitable, leaving Harold and Claire to the full enjoyment of their own happiness.
- On visiting her sick mother, Gillian Iredell, companion to Mme. Perino, a singer, finds she is badly in need of money for medicine and nourishing food. She determines to sell her only valuable trinket, an antique brooch. At the jeweler's, she stands near a gentleman who is monopolizing the salesman's attention. The cuff of his fur overcoat accidentally brushes a valuable pendant from the counter and it falls on Gillian's muff. She picks it up, intending to return it. Apparently no one has seen her. The temptation is too great, and at the remembrance of her mother's need, she keeps the jewel. Turning to go, she gazes straight into the accusing eyes of Ralph Lorimer, a wealthy young man, who saw her take the pendant. He says nothing and she returns home trembling with fear. Her remorse is keen and when she meets Lorimer, "the man who knows," at a reception that evening, almost faints. They are introduced but he gives no sign of recognition, and proves to be a most kindly acquaintance. She begins to think he did not see her theft after all. In the morning Lorimer sees her selling something in an antique shop and is greatly relieved to find it was her brooch and not the pendant. He buys the brooch back and later learns that she has returned the pendant to its owner. Shortly thereafter, Lorimer meets Gillian in a heavy storm, accompanies her home in a taxi, and on the way, proposes marriage. She is about to accept, but the memory of her theft prompts her to first confess to Lorimer. He replies, "Dear, I knew it all the time. Let us forget the incident together." She gladly consents.
- Frank Mills and Daisy Hibbs are sweethearts. Frank, after a quarrel, leaves her unceremoniously. Ned Burton and Alice Newall are also sweethearts, but after their quarrel Alice leaves Ned. Frank, looking through his telescope, sees his sweetheart give Ned a flower as she departs. Frank approaches Daisy in a very passionate mood and demands an explanation, which she refuses to give. He leaves her still more angered and Ned and Alice come to terms. Frank, who is the first mate on the schooner "Loon," is delighted to hear that Captain Hibbs is going to take his daughter with him. As the captain needs one more man, Ned is asked to fill the vacancy. He accepts, much to the regret of his sweetheart, who is almost heartbroken. Frank, thinking that Ned is his rival, subjects him to all kinds of indignities. He orders Ned to climb the rigging after having spliced the rope with a rotten strand. The rigging breaks and Ned falls overboard. Daisy cuts loose the small boat and goes to his rescue. After drifting many hours they are finally picked up by a passing vessel, which takes them to Gloucester Port, where they meet Frank, who asks Daisy to forgive him. She will not listen to his overtures, but it is fair to suppose that a reconciliation is soon effected.
- Thinking to retrieve his fallen fortunes, Leslie Torrence makes love to Rita Patten, the daughter of Graham Patten, millionaire. When Rita tells her old friend Dr. Hawley of her engagement, he is very much aggrieved, as he loves her himself and knows well the bad reputation of Torrence at the club. Torrence has been carrying on an affair with Lola di Paolo, a beautiful opera singer, and has promised her marriage. When she sees the report of the engagement in the papers she is furious and determines to be revenged upon the girl who has taken Torrence from her. To this end she gets, through her manager, Herbert Corey, an invitation to a bal-masque being given by Patten in celebration of her engagement, the invitation being for a supposed friend, Count Rostrand. Disguised as a man, in evening clothes, Lola attends the ball. During the evening, she chances to meet Dr. Hawley, who, like her, is masked, and offers him a cigarette from her case. Hawley greatly admires the case, which is of unusual pattern, and at the same time, comments on a beautiful ring, which the supposed count is wearing, A little later on, while Rita is left for a few moments by her partner, Lola approaches her quietly and then suddenly plunges a dagger into her breast. During the confusion she is able to escape, and by the time that a search is made for the assassin, she is far away. Hawley looks after the wounded girl, who, after a few weeks, recovers from the wound. Some time later, Lola, now stricken with remorse, is prostrated by a nervous attack and her maid sends for a physician. Dr. Hawley answers the call and while attending the patient, recognizes the cigarette case and the ring on her finger. Accused by him, Lola admits the crime and agrees to go with him to see Rita and tell her the truth of the affair. On hearing of the double-dealing of Torrence, Rita sends for him and hands him back his ring. Two years later, Dr. Hawley reaps the reward of his patience and devotion and marries his beloved Rita, whom he has loved so long.
- Blake Waring, a financier, whose life code is to have the best of everything at any cost, is surrounded with every conceivable luxury, but he wants a wife to complete his happiness. He is desirous of obtaining a beautiful picture, "The Chattel," owned by Roger Carvin, another financier, who cannot be induced to sell it. Later, Carvin, in stringent circumstances, is forced to part with it at an auction where Waring obtains it. Here he sees Leila Bard, and is attracted to her. At the opera he is presented to her by Mrs. Delavan. Determined to have Leila, he lavishes attentions on her until she is deceived into believing he loves her, and finally consents to marry him. On the eve of the wedding, her father confesses his financial ruin in a letter, explaining his present position was held through dishonesty. He then kills himself. Waring, nonplussed at first, decides to possess Leila in spite of all this and conceals Bard's suicide, making restitution under promise of secrecy. As time passes. Waring begins to grow distant and exacting. Waring, on Leila's birthday, presents her with a lovely necklace, but the sentiment is driven away when she finds that it has been selected by a friend of Waring's. When Leila returns to her home late one afternoon after spending the time at a matinee with Mrs. Delavan, she is reproved by her husband for not being home before him. He is overheard by Harding, Waring's closest friend, who is astonished at Blake's manner. A few days later, Waring, trying to engineer a great financial deal to impress his associates, invites them to dine with him at home. Harding, who is also invited, finds he has a previous engagement which cannot be put off, and stops at Waring's house to tell him. Waring is not at home, but his wife receives Harding's message. As Harding is incidentally telling Leila to overlook her husband's brusqueness, Waring appears and accuses his wife of making love to Harding. Harding goes away crestfallen. Leila and Blake have a dramatic and pathetic scene where Waring tells her that she is "his chattel," and that he cleared her father's name. Leila tells him she will be no man's chattel. The guests arrive, and Waring repents his bitterness toward Leila, for fear she will refuse to see his guests. Leila professes interest in business matters and finds out the inside information concerning the business deal. After the departure of the guests, Waring feels pleased with Leila's generosity and admires her, but won't relent. Leila is disappointed and the next day she departs for town with her jewels where she goes to the president of the Consolidated Trust Company and negotiates a loan of $75,000 on them. With the money she buys the stock under an assumed name. The stock rises higher and higher and finally she sells it to Waring. She takes the money to Waring with the jewels and tells him: "The chattel has come to buy back her freedom." Then she leaves. Leila, knowing she is not legally free, goes to Mrs. Delavan's cottage. When Waring, after an illness, is brought home he destroys the picture "The Chattel." After a month he sends for Mrs. Delavan and questions her as to Leila's whereabouts. She is moved by the change in Waring and confides in him. When strength returns, he hires a little cottage near Leila's and there lives alone. Sammy, a small boy, brings provisions to both Leila and Blake, who is living under the name of Hope. She does not know that her neighbor is her husband. After a short lapse of time, he slips up to her cottage in the night and leaves flowers on her steps. Waring keeps Leila's picture on his table. Sammy notices the resemblance to Leila in the picture and tells her of it. Sammy tells Waring what he has said to "the lady next door," and Waring has Sammy write a note to her asking if he may visit her. As she is answering the letter that night, she accidentally knocks over the lamp. The fire spreads rapidly and Waring rushes to her rescue, and the past is forgotten. They begin life anew.
- Sonny Jim is playing in the yard when Mammy Jackson, the wash-woman, enters the gate, followed by a little pickaninny. Sonny asks the darky her name. She replies, "Mah name's Lily." Sonny's mother receives word from her sister Kate that she is to spend Easter with them, and will bring her five children. Brother John, a military officer in the Philippines, also writes he is coming. Mother is delighted, and soon all is in preparation. Sonny nearly ruins his clothes, when he gets into the jam closet. Mother gives him a scolding, and he is again washed and dressed. Auntie arrives and Sonny is an interested observer as she shows mother her children's new Easter clothes. Sonny thinks everybody has new clothes for Easter, but when he speaks of it to Lily, she cries and says, "I ain't got none." Sonny, feeling sorry for her, provides her with a full outfit from his little cousin's clothes. He then tells her to come to church to-morrow where she can sit with his folks. Uncle arrives and is warmly greeted. Next morning, there is great excitement; nearly church time and one of the children's clothes missing. Aunt Kate, finally dresses the deprived one in her traveling clothes and all leave for church. Led by the General, they walk proudly down to the front pew. Sonny hangs back outside, and pretty soon, Lily is discovered gorgeously arrayed in white. To the huge amusement of all, he drags her up the aisle and into Daddy Jim's pew. Daddy later asks Sonny why he did it, and he replies, "'Cause nobody 'membered Lily at all." He is forgiven and Aunt Kate good-heartedly gives the little-colored girl a neat little dress.
- Unknown to his wife, young businessman Fred Hart draws their savings from the bank to buy a house as a birthday surprise for his wife. He finds a real-estate agent who has just the kind of house he is looking for. He must visit the agent's home, and during the course of his business transactions, he becomes well acquainted with the agent's family. The real-estate man, a camera fiend, suggests to Fred his taking a picture of him and his family. Fred is agreeable and the agent gives him a copy of the picture. Fred puts it in his pocket and returns home to his wife. Mrs. Hart finds the picture of Fred and the agent's wife and baby in his pocket. She learns that he has drawn their savings from the bank and at once her suspicions are aroused. She follows him to the real-estate agent's house, which he enters. He comes out of the house just as she is hurrying away. He runs after her and invites her to look at the house. She refuses. He produces the deed, made out in her name, and hands it to her. She apologizes for being so cruel and unjust to him.
- Young artist Madge is in love with a military officer. Suddenly he is called away to the Philippines, where he is shot. He lies upon the battlefield half-dead, but he has enough strength left to crawl to a nearby stream. He is found there by Spanish girl Anita, who is also very much in love with him. She notifies the ambulance corps, who carry him to the hospital tent, where Anita nurses him. Madge, who has now become a Red Cross nurse, goes to the Philippines, and Fate stations her at the very hospital where her affianced is convalescing. There is hatred between the two girls, as each claims that he belongs to her. So Madge leaves a note in Anita's hands, with instructions to give it to him, saying that she has gone to another part of the island, and trusts that he will be happy with his new-found love. Anita does not deliver the message, and in a jealous rage, leads the Filipinos to Maxwell's camp, where he is attacked. Anita is killed in the midst of a battle, having thrown herself on Maxwell's neck, thereby being killed by the bullet which was meant for him. After the battle Maxwell is sitting alone in front of his camp, thinking of Madge, when Madge, who has heard from him before, appears in her Red Cross uniform. A happy reconciliation is the result.
- Instead of his wife's death through his dissipation and neglect bringing Jack Moreland to his senses, he descends further and deserts their daughter Clara, whose uncle Harold Moreland takes her in and brings her up in ignorance of her father's existence. A man of means, Harold gives Clara every advantage and she becomes a talented, accomplished your lady and gets engaged to Percival Summers. After 17 years Jack Moreland makes himself known to his daughter; shocked and horrified, she shuns him. Percival, shocked at the prospect of having such a father-in-law, breaks their engagement. Percival's brother Edward has always been in love with Clara, and when his brother gives her up, he declares his love for her, and being a good-hearted fellow, he persuades her to help her father make a better man of himself, if it's at all possible. Her father, waking up to a realization of his own wickedness, hungers for his daughter's love, and when she visits, he is all too willing to reform. With Edward's help, they place him in a good position and before long he becomes a creditable parents and a decent citizen.
- By subtle inducements and defamation of young Dick Adams, Bob Carter, a well-seasoned and wealthy profligate, succeeds in persuading Nell Chandler to marry him and break her engagement with Dick. Bob tires of her after a bit. In the meantime, Dick has taken up the practice of medicine and becomes a celebrated specialist in heart troubles. He meets the wretched Nell. He leads her to his house, not knowing who she is, makes a hasty diagnosis of her condition and recognizes her. It is too late, however, to save her life and she dies of a broken heart, Dick is more bitter against Carter than ever and the day of reckoning comes in a very peculiar manner. Carter is stricken with heart trouble and Dr. Richard Adams is recommended as a specialist of the heart. Carter calls upon him. Dick knows him at once, and gives him an examination. He tells him that he will give him a still more thorough test. He takes him into another room, seats him in a chair, at a table on which is a photograph of Nell Chandler, and Dick leaves the room for a few minutes. Carter sees Nell's picture, his conscience asserts itself and he becomes greatly agitated, is seized with an attack of heart failure and drops to the floor, dead. Dick hears the fall and re-enters the room, gazes meditatively upon the dead man and repeats to himself: "The wages of sin is death!"
- Feeling that his wife and daughter, Melba, should see more of life than that afforded by the western plains, where they live. "Silent" Jones, a self-made millionaire, takes his family to New York. Melba is in love with Frank Johnson, a young plainsman, and the young people are saddened at the separation. They are given a typical western "send-off." In New York, Jones enters the Wall Street game, where "The Big Six," a clique of financiers including Van Ardsley, lure him on with the intention of "fleecing" him. Jones determines to help his wife and daughter "break in" to society. They plan a party in their new mansion on Fifth Avenue, to which the Van Ardsleys and other members of the "Big Six" are invited. When Mrs. Van Ardsley receives the invitation, she scornfully tears it up, and tells her husband she has no desire to help the Joneses "break in." The others have different excuses, and they are so palpable Jones realizes their intention of snubbing him and his family. As a result, their party is a dismal failure, and finding his daughter crying, Jones swears to get even with "The Big Six." He at once orders his broker to buy up all available shares of a certain stock and when he has quietly gained control of it. he orders his broker to begin to buy the stock on the Exchange. The "Bix Six," thinking to ruin Jones, agree to go short to the limit, but after some exciting battles, Jones emerges from the fray with the "Big Six" absolutely in his power. They learn this to their horror and Van Ardsley humbly goes in person to Jones' home and begs for mercy. He is told, "You were too good for my wife and baby girl, now I've got you, I'm going to break you." He is then shown out the door. Mrs. Van Ardsley then attempts to intercede with Jones for her husband, but meets with no better success. Sickened with their experiences in the city, the Joneses go back to the plains and there Melba finds happiness with Frank Johnson as her affianced lover.
- Mario Campanini, a theological student, makes the serious mistake of neglecting his young and pleasure-loving wife, Rita. Her dissatisfaction grows, until she meets the Count di Turino. The Count is very attentive and almost before she knows it Rita is infatuated with him. One night she elopes, leaving a simple note for Mario, who is stunned. At the count's home Rita is happy, for the Count is very good to her, but one day her curiosity leads her to try one of several locked doors in the castle-like home, and there she finds the Count is keeping in seclusion an insane wife. Now she knows the reason for the Count's many absences from home, during which he was supposed to be engaged in "diplomatic work." Horrified at what she has learned, Rita forlornly returns to her husband, but he sternly orders her to go back to her titled lover and stay there; she has become one of the Unforgiven. At this point Mario awakes from his terrible nightmare just as his wife smilingly enters the room.
- Before leaving to spend Christmas at his Aunt Kate's, Daddy Jim gives Sonny a dollar and tells him to buy whatever he most desires for himself. Arrived at Auntie's, he is immediately initiated into the new game, "Santa Claus," by the five "imps," Aunt Kate's children. She prevents an incipient quarrel by reciting "The Night Before Christmas," then she tells them about the knights of old, and Sonny learns for the first time that a knight is one who always helps damsels in distress. Being pacified, and their minds dwelling upon Aunt Kate's recitals, they all go quietly to bed. Next day, while Christmas shopping, Sonny strolls away and gets lost in a big department store. He wanders out into the street, where he meets little Annie O'Reilly, who promptly leads the sobbing boy home, saying she will find his Auntie. Sonny is rather frightened at the squalid aspect of the tenement where the O'Reillys live, but finding Annie has no money to buy Christmas presents, he remembers what Auntie had said about knights, and gives the little girl his dollar, which he had intended to buy a little baby brother with. He is taken to the police station, where Aunt Kate finds him, and there is great rejoicing. The O'Reillys are invited to Aunt Kate's Christmas party and that night is one of anticipation for them. Christmas Day, in the midst of a general jollification, Aunt Kate receives a telegram from Daddy Jim saying there is a live present waiting at home for Sonny. Everyone is highly pleased and congratulations are in order. When Sonny gets home and sees the tiny baby, he exclaims anxiously, "Is he a Dollar Baby, Daddy Jim? He don't look like more than Five Cents' worth."
- Left with two small children, Mrs. Morgan finds making both ends meet difficult. Her daughter Polly does the housework; her son Tommy applies for a job in the real-estate office of Hervey and Porter. Porter refuses him because he has little experience, but Jack Hervey, touched by the boy's earnestness and hard story, takes him on; his mother and sister are jubilant. A week later he falls ill and the doctor confines him to bed; Polly suggests that she dress in Tommy's clothes, pass herself off as his brother, and get them to let "him" fill Tommy's place until he gets well. The scheme works. Jack Hervey and Porter are both in love with Estelle, to whom Jack is engaged. Porter tries to make love to Estelle and is indignantly rejected. Porter resolves to ruin Jack and give away a big land deal, on which he hopes to make a fortune, to a rival real estate man. Polly becomes suspicious; hiding herself in a cupboard, she overhears what they say and warns Jack, who quickly closes his deal and outwits his enemies. Polly then confesses her sex, and the deception is willingly forgiven because of what she has done. Jack and Estelle, who are about to be married, resolve to take a special interest in the Morgan family and help them in every possible way.
- John Sport returns to his boarding house in high spirits. He enters the parlor and looks upon a bottle of red ink, mistaking it for wine. He starts to drink it and spills it all over his face and shirt front. He falls upon the couch and is soon in slumberland. The maid enters. Horrified, she decides a murder has been committed and calls up the police. A young detective is assigned to the case. Meanwhile, a boarder who is shaving cuts himself, hears the confusion, and rushes into the room--razor in hand. When the detective sees him he puts him under arrest, then calls for help and an ambulance. Assistance is soon at hand, and the surgeon discovers that John Sport is not dead, but "dead drunk" and the "blood" is only red ink. All hands join in a good hearty laugh at the expense of the young detective.
- Buddy Watson, the youngest of three brothers, and just getting accustomed to long pants, meets Elsie Forster at a church social and is smitten by the young lady's charms. He writes, addressing the letter simply, "Miss Forster," asking permission to call. Elsie gets the note and joyously answers "yes," but Grace, her sister, sees the letter and is quite sure he means her. The two girls prepare to receive Buddy and when he arrives, they greet his effusively. He tries to talk to both at once and is getting a little confused when Grace quietly tells Elsie her mother wants to see her. After the reluctant Elsie has withdrawn, Grace appropriates Buddy and leads him off to the drawing-room. When Elsie discovers the trick, she is furious, and determines on revenge. Seeing Buddy's new hat on the hall rack, with the aid of veiling and feathers, she trims it in the latest style. She then tells father of the deception practiced upon her and he immediately goes to the drawing-room, just in time to see Buddy kiss Grace. He gives them both a severe calling down, and Buddy decides it is no place for him. He excitedly grabs his hat without noticing the recent additions, slams it on his head, and is off for home. On the way everybody laughs at him. He thinks they are making fun of his first long pants. Arriving at his house, father, mother and the boys burst into laughter. This is the last straw and Buddy becomes so mad he almost cries. One of the boys leads him to the mirror, where he gets a glimpse of the weird headdress, and collapses limply into his brother's arms. Disgusted with the result of his "first call," he wreaks vengeance on the festooned hat.
- Leaving England, in search of an American wife, young Cyril, son of the Earl of Creston, on reaching America meets Lilly Penn, and immediately lays siege to her heart and her fortune when he learns that she is an heiress. The Earl of Creston has advised his son that if he marries an American woman he must marry money, and in order to impress others with their social standing, he gives him a jeweled family coronet as an evidence of inherited rank. Lilly, who is a trusting, perfectly natural girl, is urged by Cyril to marry him, quoting his family standing in England, and as an inducement says he will bestow upon her a coronet which he will bring to her the following night. The next day he goes to a vault to get the jeweled crown, and while in the vault he drops a letter which he has recently received from his father, reminding him again that if he marries, he must marry a fortune. Just after Cyril has left Lilly has occasion to go to the vault, and finds the letter which Cyril has dropped. She is distressed to learn that he is a fortune hunter, scorns his proffered coronet, and rejects him. Cyril realizes that true worth is found in women, not in their fortunes and he must prove his real worth. He sends the coronet back to his father, and relinquishes all claim to his title. He goes west and becomes a rancher. A couple of years later, Mr. Penn takes a trip west with his daughter Lilly and his doctor. A party of desperadoes try to wreck the train and rob the passengers. Cyril discovers them at their work and drives them away, signals the train and saves it. In the scrimmage, he is shot and wounded. The trainmen carry him back to his cabin and he is attended to by Mr. Penn's doctor. Lilly and her father visit Cyril's cabin. He is surprised to see Lillian and they are both glad to meet again. He tells her the hardships through which he has passed, preferring to depend on his own efforts than upon a title. He points to her head and says that he has no coronet to place there now. She reaches through the window, plucks a branch of vine, twines it into a wreath and places it upon her head. Her father and the doctor withdraw and the two lovers agree that hearts of love are better than all the coronets of jewels.
- A mother and child are at home alone when she discovers a fire. She calls her husband at the club to come to their aid.
- Coming home to supper one evening, Luigi tells his wife that a new couple is moving into the same tenement house that they live in. Vincenza greatly admires the moustache of her new neighbor and speaks of this to her husband, who laughs at her scornfully, but becomes very jealous of the man, Biaggio. Later in the day, when Vincenza is coming home with the groceries, she meets Biaggio on the steps of the house, and speaks to him for a few moments. Angelica, the wife of Biaggio, is looking out of the window and sees her husband talking with this strange woman, and she, in turn, also becomes jealous. The talk is rudely interrupted by Luigi, who returns home and angrily orders his wife into the house. There is quite a lively time in both apartments as a result of the little meeting on the doorstep. Owing to his hasty temper, Luigi loses his job and is unable to find another. He and his wife are almost on the point of starvation when Mrs. Thomas, a wealthy district visitor, comes to the house. She finds Vincenza alone, and, after hearing her story, leaves her some money, which is placed on the table. A sneak-thief, passing up the stairway, sees the money through the open door, and steals it after Mrs. Thomas leaves. Vincenza screams for help and is heard by Biaggio, who is coming up the stairs. He rushes to her aid. He struggles with the thief and obtains the money, which he returns to Vincenza. As he leaves the room he is seen by Luigi, who follows him upstairs and accuses him of an intrigue with his wife. Angelica overhears the accusation and rushes down to the room of Vincenza, of whom she is insanely jealous. In each apartment a terrific struggle takes place, In the one between the two men, and in the other between the two women. In the midst of it all, Mrs. Thomas enters. She has lost a ring and has returned to see if she had dropped it there. She soon explains the true state of affairs and the two families agree to forget their disputes and become the best of neighbors.
- Susie, the plain and unsophisticated country girl, is no prize for her former suitor when he returns from college a finished and polished graduate. He takes little notice of her and makes himself popular among the girls of style. Susie writes her cousin all about it and she invites Susie to visit her in the city. Susie does so and Grace tells her that they will soon make John feel sorry. Susie changes her name to Susanne, and after securing an outfit of the latest style and a little coaching from Grace and her husband, Susanne is capable of holding her own among the swells of the elite. A reception is given, to which John is invited. When he meets Susanne as a society bud, he is dumbfounded. She is so captivating and sweet that the old love of boyhood days is renewed, and he finds himself making overtures for her attention. She flouts him and coquettes with others. A few months later, she returns home to the country and he follows her. At first she will pay no attention to him, but his appeal is so strenuous she is just a little lenient. Gradually he unbosoms himself and apologizes for his uppishness and lack of appreciation for her real worth. He is so penitent that she finally allows him to take her in his arms and they seal their engagement with a kiss.
- Jarr grossly deceives the Smalltown Fire Company by pretending to be a "Smoke-Eater" from the Big City. His wife sees him leading the parade with a "chicken" on each arm. Things look bad for Jarr, but a fake fire and rescue set him right again.
- In pursuance of his theory that the ideal manner of raising children is to keep them apart from the world, Professor Landor, a widower with two children, Helene and Achilles, purchases Arcadia Island, in an unfrequented section of the country. There, with the aid of his friend, Professor Reichhart and Norah, a nurse, he rears the children. Helene is his own child but Achilles is a foundling whom the professor has adopted. When the children are grown, the isolation of the island palls upon them, particularly when Norah, who has discovered a small treasure, fills them with a craving to see the wonderful outside world. Aided by her, they build a raft and escape from the island. Nora dies from the shock of their perilous trip to the mainland during a terrible storm, and the two children are left alone in the world. On landing, they run into a party of young society people out picnicking. Marion Warner, the leading spirit of the party, suggests they show the two unsophisticated strangers something of the world and its pleasures. They create much amusement in their new surroundings by their awkwardness and unconventionality. Society takes them up and for a while, the two are in love with the world. They soon tire, however, and when Helene sees Achilles in the arms of Marion, she receives a rude awakening. Longing to be again in quiet Arcadia, she runs away. Achilles frantically follows her, leaving Marion without a thought, and seeing her in a boat going towards Arcadia Island, plunges into the water and swims after her. He is nearly drowned, but is found later by Helene, cast up on the beach of the island. She succeeds in restoring him to consciousness, and deciding that in Arcadia only is perfect happiness and contentment to be found, the two hand-in-hand, stroll back to the little cottage where the lonely old professors are anxiously awaiting them.
- The leading favorite of King Francis's court is the Lady Viola, a lady as witty as she is beautiful. She is courted by the Comte De Lorge and leads him on in his protestations of love. She does not really love him, but likes to keep him away from other women. The Queen secures a new lady-in-waiting, the Lady Anne, a charming young woman fully as beautiful as the Lady Viola, who at once becomes insanely jealous of her. The courtiers are soon at the feet of the new favorite, who shows her preference for none, save possibly the Comte De Lorge. The Lady Viola is furious and does all in her power to keep him away from her. By way of amusement, King Francis arranges a tournament of lions, at that time considered a royal sport. The front of the balcony overlooking the arena is occupied by the King and Queen and their principal attendants, among them the Lady Viola, the Lady Anne and the Comte De Lorge. Thinking to force a public showing of the Comte's love for her, the Lady Viola throws her glove into the arena among the lions and dares any man to retrieve it. The Comte, who sees perfectly well what is in the lady's mind, goes to the rail and prepares to descend. All watch the young man's descent with intense excitement, mingled with fears for his safety, with the exception of the Lady Anne, who cannot bear the sight, but faints away. De Lorge picks up the glove and gets back safely to his place on the balcony. Instead of humbly handing the glove to the Lady Viola, as she expects, he throws it in her face, publicly rebuking her. Then, seeing that the Lady Anne has fainted, he takes her in his arms and helps to revive her. His betrothal to the fair court beauty is at once announced and their marriage at the Cathedral is performed amid great pomp and splendor in the presence of the King and Queen and the whole of his glorious court.
- On a fierce stormy night, Amos Stockford, a young captain of a fishing vessel, is gathering driftwood. Suddenly he sees signals of distress from a passing steamer. Going to his cabin, he secures a lantern, kisses his wife and child and hastens with the life-saving crew to the assistance of the wrecked and fast sinking boat. It is too late to save its occupants, with the exception of a very handsome woman, whom Stockford takes to his home and who is cheerfully welcomed by Mrs. Stockford. The woman infatuates Amos. He loses interest in his wife and child and elopes with the woman to a foreign port. The captain's wife struggles to make a living for her child. It doesn't take long for the woman in the case to tire of the young captain as soon as she comes in contact with another in better circumstances. They have scarcely started on their flight across the ocean when she meets and fascinates a new admirer for whom she immediately discards the captain. Ashamed to return home he makes up his mind to prove himself worthy of his wife's forgiveness by placing himself in a position by which he can make up, to some extent, the sufferings which he has caused her. Three years later, Christmas Eve, his wife tries to make this one day in the year a happy one for her child. She spends her last penny purchasing some gifts. On Christmas morning Amos Stockford returns to his home, well laden with gifts and means sufficient to make them comfortable for many a day. He appears before his wife and child as one from the dead. He begs her pardon and forgiveness for the wrong he has done. She overlooks the past and exemplifies the spirit of the day which commemorates the Giver of all good gifts and Him who offers love and mercy to all.
- A typical small-town lawyer. Clay McTrigger, and Hope, his wife, are very happy. Clay is ambitious, however, and by dint of much study and his personal popularity, he is elected as representative to Congress. Hope is saddened, for she instinctively feels that it will end their simple, happy mountain life. After a tearful parting, Clay goes to Washington where he makes his first speech and it creates a sensation. Snell, an unscrupulous congressman, notes the impression Clay has made and determines to make use of him, if possible. He tries in vain to bribe Clay to vote for a bill which will benefit the Coal Trust and is an out and out robbery, then he tries another tack. Vivian Courtland, a lobbyist and tool of Snell, is introduced to Clay and he gradually becomes infatuated with her. She succeeds in securing his vote for the Coal Bill, but falls in love with him and offers him wealth if he will marry her. After a struggle with his conscience, he agrees, and goes back to Hope to ask her to divorce him. In a strongly emotional scene she gives him up and sacrifices herself on the altar of his ambition. After securing a divorce Clay marries Vivien and with the aid of her wealth, rapidly mounts the ladder of fame. At the very pinnacle of his success, Snell, who has never ceased to plot Clay's downfall, induces the latter to accept a bribe for a state secret, making him a traitor to his country. Later Snell exposes him and Clay is expelled from the senate, scorned by everyone. He goes to Paris and there receives a letter from his second wife's lawyer saying she has divorced him and cut him off without a cent. A man without a country and without friends, Clay wanders back to his old home to find Hope. Her sorrowing mother grimly leads him to the little low mound where the woman who loved him enough to give up, lay resting. She had died of a broken heart, and utterly crushed. Clay flings himself on the grave.
- Strange things happen in the Latin quarter of any city where art and Bohemianism flourish. Aubrey, a young artist, employs a beautiful model to pose for him. During one of the pauses in their work, Aubrey invites her to have a glass of wine with him. Her lover is very jealous of her and follows her to Aubrey's studio. He looks through the window, which is curtained by a heavy portiere. He sees Aubrey pouring the wine and the model talking pleasantly to him. The artist places the glasses of wine upon the table in front of the window. While he and the model are talking, the lover reaches through the window and unseen puts poison in one of the glasses. Aubrey hands her the poisoned glass of wine and she drinks it. A doctor is called and the girl is taken to her home. The young artist is arrested and asserts his innocence. Lambert Chase, the detective, is called into the case and learns that the model had a lover, who often visited her at her home. Chase disguises himself as a woman, visits the model's home and discovers the lover prowling about the house. The lover follows him, hoping to get some information regarding the girl's condition. The detective makes himself known, the lover starts to run, and reaching the end of the pier, jumps into the water, followed by the detective, who, after a terrific struggle, captures him. Later he is brought up for examination before the police. Lambert Chase has arranged the room with a table placed in front of a curtained window to correspond with the conditions in the studio, where the crime was committed. The police cross-examine the accused, who denies all knowledge until at a psychological moment the curtain is thrown aside, a hand reaches through the window and pours poison into one of the glasses. On beholding this, the accused is so horrified and unnerved, he confesses he committed the crime. So the mystery of the poisoning of the Italian model is entirely cleared and Aubrey is acquitted.
- Delia Andrews and Danny Smith are close friends. Delia has a doll of which she is very fond. Delia's parents move to the city. When leaving the old home she can't bear to tear herself away from Fanny, and before leaving she gives Fanny her doll and a little old ring, which she asks her to keep always in remembrance of her. Many years later Delia marries, and Fanny does likewise. Delia enjoys all the comforts and luxuries of life, while Fanny is left a widow with a little child. She now lives in the city and has lost all trace of Delia. To support herself Fanny takes in dressmaking. She receives an order from Delia through the housekeeper. The gown completed, she delivers it and while alone in the reception hall she sees Delia's purse on the table. In a moment of temptation she steals it. The theft is discovered. Fanny is suspected and soon the police, with the housekeeper, Delia and her husband are at the home of the poor woman. Searching for the purse they open a trunk. Delia sees the old doll. She asks Fanny where she got it. Fanny tells her and shows her the little ring. Delia clasps her to her bosom, orders the search stopped, and introduces Fanny to her husband. He and his wife make Fanny and her child welcome members of their household.
- Carter Weston, a novelist, notices a pretty young girl on the train reading his latest book, "A Modem Psyche." He is greatly struck by her beauty and sweetness, but does not speak with her as he has to get off at the next station. The girl is Jane Harmon, the daughter of John Harmon, the book and curio collector. She is returning from college and is going to help her father in cataloging his somewhat extensive library. The next door neighbors of the Harmons are Mrs. Bradley and her daughter Nell, a college friend of June. Just after the girl's return from college, Mrs. Bradley sends out invitations for a fancy dress ball, to which she invites June. Mr. Harmon refuses permission to his daughter, but she makes up her mind to do just as she pleases and sets about designing a suitable costume. Looking over her new novel she sees a picture of Psyche and determines to go in that character. Among the other guests invited to the house is Carter Weston, who happens to be a cousin of Nell Bradley. He was on his way there when he saw June on the train and since his arrival has been looking after the preparations for the celebration. On the night of the ball, after most of the guests are assembled, Mrs. Bradley is suddenly taken very sick and the festivities have to be stopped. This happens before June's arrival at the house and when she arrives, she finds nothing but a deserted ballroom. It is there that she again meets Weston, and both at once recognize each other. Weston introduces himself and greatly admires June's costume, so plainly modeled after the illustration in his novel. June, on the other hand, is equally delighted to find that this entertaining young man is her best friend's cousin. He takes her home and leaves her at the gate, asking her permission to call upon her on the morrow. The next day, Weston calls at the house with a letter of introduction to the elder Harmon, and gains further acquaintance with June through the pretense of consulting books in the library. He does not bother much about the books after Mr. Harmon has left the room, but taking June to his arms be tells her that she is the real object of his search, that he has come to bring her the love so long sought by the real Psyche.
- Mrs. Harding, wife of the President of the City Electric Company, insists upon her husband buying a chateau in France, where she and her daughter can spend the European season. Harding pleads a lack of means, and his wife suggests that he cut down the wages of his employees 10 per cent, and secure the purchase price of the chateau. The men object to this reduction when this notice is posted and Ben Quinn, foreman of the power house, as a representative of the workmen, calls upon Mr. Harding at his home, and protests. Mrs. Harding arrogantly denounces him as presumptuous to question their right and privilege. Ben Quinn's little daughter Nell, playing on the streets, has her skull fractured by a lineman of the City Electric Company dropping a hammer upon her head. Ben is notified of the accident. He hastens there from the meeting of his fellow-mechanics and carries his daughter home, where the doctor discovers she is not dead, but it will be necessary to take her to a hospital and perform the operation of trephining to remove a small bone pressing upon her brain. Alice Harding, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harding, hears of the accident and offers to pay the expense of the operation out of her own pocket. Ben accepts her offer as a loan. During the delicate surgical performance, the employees of the City Electric Company are holding a consultation and bitterly denounce their employer as unjust and unreasonable. Ben, whose bitterness is more intense, owing to the accident to his daughter, decides upon extreme measures, to cut the wires and shut off the electric lights of the city. Ben, with his own hands, commits the act. As he does so, the doctor is at the most critical point of the operation upon his little girl, and when the lights go out, the operating room is left in complete darkness and he cannot complete it. The child dies, a victim of irrational obstinacy.