- Robert Wallace, the elder son of a rich and indulgent father, marries Margaret Christy, a spirited patriot, so that he can escape the call to war. Discovering the reason for Robert's haste to get married, Margaret is appalled and resolves to bring home to her husband a sense of his personal responsibility. In order to instill patriotism in Robert, Margaret contrasts him with John Harding, the man who gave her up to go to war. When Robert protests his wife's tactics, Margaret accuses him of being a contemptible coward. The next day a German insults the American flag, and Robert, his sense of justice aroused, makes him salute it. He then bids Margaret farewell and marches off to war. Margaret sees him off without divulging the secret that she is pregnant, thus sacrificing her own welfare for that of her country.
- In order to avoid the draft, Robert Wallace--the spoiled son of a rich family--marries Margaret, a gung-ho patriotic young woman. When she finds out why he married her, she sets out to teach him a lesson on the meaning of personal responsibility.—frankfob2@yahoo.com
- Margaret Christy has for two years been engaged to Robert Wallace. Contented with the usual round of dinners and receptions, he does not ask her to set a date for the wedding. John Harding has always loved Margaret, and noticing Robert's indifference, implores her to marry him instead, but Margaret loves her fiancé. Harding and George Wallace, Robert's younger brother, are much interested in the talk of impending war, and express their anxiety to enlist. Robert does not share their patriotism. Finally war is declared. When Robert reads the announcement that single men will be called first, he insists on being married at once. Margaret does not know the reason for his change of heart, and consents. Margaret comes from a line of patriots, and when she and Robert return from their honeymoon she at once plunges into the work of recruiting. Much to her husband's disgust, she insists that he accompany her on these excursions. While she addresses the crowds, he sits back in the limousine, bored with all these demonstrations. Margaret recalls to her hearers the brave deeds done by their ancestors, and calls on them to be worthy of such nobility. She wins many recruits. A musicale is given. George Wallace, who has enlisted in the navy, attends in his uniform, and is reprimanded by his brother for doing so. John Harding, in an officer's uniform, resents the remark, saying there is no difference in the patriotism of an officer and a private. He calls attention to the fact that Robert is not in uniform, and Robert admits that he married to escape service. Margaret overhears his admission. She sends for Harding to consult him as to how her husband's patriotism can be aroused. Her husband, seeing them together, accuses her of having met him by appointment. Then Margaret pours forth the vials of her wrath and indignation, telling him how despicable she considers him. All night long he ponders over her words. In the morning she sees some children playing. A tiny girl is waving an American flag. A big boy takes it away from her, and George Wallace comes out and makes him give it back. Then a drunken German, incensed at the sight of the flag, knocks George down. Robert has been watching the scene, and his sense of justice is at last awakened. He vanquishes the German and makes him salute the flag before he returns it to the little girl. Then, bidding good-bye to his wife, he goes to enlist in the service of the flag for which he has just won his first fight. Letters from camp give further testimony of Robert's sincerity. He comes home on brief leave of absence, prior to sailing for France. The whole town comes out to greet the "Wallace boys," soldier and sailor. Smiling through her tears, the young wife bids him farewell, guarding a precious secret. He will need all his courage at the front.
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