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- At the opening of the story, Nell Gwynne, a popular English actress, is seen as an orange girl selling her goods in and around the old Drury Theater. While she is bantering, Lady Olivia Vernon, the ward of Lord Jeffreys, Chief Justice of England, appeals to Nell for a hiding place. Lady Olivia is being pursued by her guardian and his soldiers and Lord Jeffreys is trying to force Lady Olivia to marry a wealthy lord. By quickness of wit, Nell secures a hiding place for Lady Olivia and later directs Lord Fairfax, Lady Olivia's lover, to the hiding place. While the soldiers are searching for the young couple, Nell distracts their attention by her powers of mimicry. Nell has been endeavoring to secure a part in one of the productions at the Drury Lane Theater, but has been unable to secure an opportunity to show her ability. In desperation she had assumed the role of the orange girl, hoping in this way to find occasion to demonstrate her histrionic ability to the manager of that theater. On the occasion of the illness of one of the principal characters in a production, Nell secures an opportunity to appear in the part. She makes an instantaneous hit, and from then on her success is assured. Lord Jeffreys tries to force Lady Olivia to marry the wealthy Lord Rochester, but Nell Gywnn repeatedly outwits the chief justice. Fairfax, Lady Olivia's lover, is finally captured by Lord Jeffreys and thrown into prison. Lord Jeffreys has trumped up charges against Fairfax, and by trickery has made King Charles believe them. Nell seizes an opportunity to disguise herself as Lord Jeffreys, and to issue orders which help release Fairfax. Nell's final appeal to the King saves her young lover, and he is set free to join his sweetheart. Lord Jeffreys, for his trickery, is dismissed by the King. Nell continues on her rollicking way, and is the idol of the country. Her final good deed is the presentation of a wonderful hospital to the nation. Although she is now the favorite of the King, Nell does not forget her old friend.
- The scene opens in Japan, and in a number of wonderfully beautiful scenic settings the young love of Masao and the lovely Hisa are shown. Sweethearts from childhood, the two decide to marry, just before Masao goes away to study in America. Masao is very ambitious and makes a very great success at the University of California, taking many prizes for his athletic prowess, and becoming the favorite of both faculty and students. He is seen winning running and swimming races. The picture takes us back to his beloved Hisa, who is very lonely, and her grief is added to by the death of her father. As he is passing away he administers to her "Katano," or the oath of the sword, which means that in case she commits sin, she is bound by honor to commit hara-kiri, killing herself with the sacred family sword. She is left with her mother and brother. Then the film shows more triumphs of Masao at the University, and a letter from him telling of his love for Hisa. At a reception on the University field day he meets Captain Doane and his wife. Next we see Capt. Doane boarding his ship and going out through the Golden Gate. The ship is wrecked by a typhoon near the Japanese shore, and Doane, almost dead, is rescued from the water by Hisa and her brother. He is taken to Hisa's house, and when he is convalescent a love springs up between them, Hisa forgetting Masao completely. Misa's brother does not approve of the new love, but is powerless to prevent it, and we see Hisa married to Doane, who decides to forget his wife at home and take a new name. He establishes himself, and in another year is in control of the local fishing industry. Next we see Masao, after his four years' course, taking leave at college. He comes home, and not knowing Hisa is married, goes to her house. He finds her with a baby, and is astonished. Just then Doane comes in, and Masao recognizes and denounces him. Doane flees. Masao follows, and after a hard fight kills him. When Masao returns to Hisa's house he finds that she has kept the oath of the sword, and killed herself for the sin of her unfaithfulness.
- Edgar Dalmore, an impulsive youth, quarrels with his father, and in the heat of anger is disowned. Edgar's cousin, Vincent Lennox, is hard pressed for money, owing to his gambling proclivities. With aid of his friend, John Sterling, he beats Edgar's father into insensibility, robs the safe and accuses Edgar of having committed the crime. The father dies, and Edgar is sentenced to prison for life. At the end of six months, Edgar escapes from prison. As an escaped convict, he is welcomed into the Hellville band of bushrangers, made their captain, and called "Captain Midnight." He leads his band on several daring adventures, including an attack on and robbery of the government gold coach. After a thrilling chase by the bandits, the escort of the coach are overpowered and the chest of gold stolen. The mounted police chase Edgar and his band, and Edgar is separated from the bushrangers. Edgar meets his sweetheart, Thelma, who prevails upon him to renounce his bushranger connections. Elsa Harling, who is in love with Edgar, but whose love is not returned, sees Edgar with his sweetheart. She decides to turn Edgar over to the police and lays a plan for his capture. Edgar visits her at her father's cabin in the forest. The police surround the cabin. Elsa relents at the last moment, and helps Edgar to escape by cutting a hole in the back of the hut, thus eluding the police. Another exciting chase follows, during which Edgar has to swim across a river. Elsa overhears Vincent Lennox and his friend Sterling quarreling about the division of the money they have stolen after murdering Edgar's father. Her presence is discovered. She is seized by Lennox and Sterling, and tied to a tree. Lennox bargains with one of the bushrangers to do away with Elsa. Edgar, in his flight from the police, discovers Elsa tied to the tree, rescues her and in a thrilling scene he and Elsa overcome the two bushrangers and escape. Elsa notifies the police of the guilt of Lennox and Sterling, and the police start on the trail of the criminals. Edgar decides to cross the border and to live an honest life. He marries Thelma, and as they are coming out of the church they are seized by Lennox and Sterling and their followers, but Elsa arrives with the police in time to save Edgar and his wife. The stolen notes are found on Lennox, and he and Sterling are arrested for the murder. Through Elsa's noble sacrifice, Edgar is free to join his bride.
- The story opens with a May festival, during which Margaret Carrington is crowned Queen of the May. The rival lovers, a lieutenant in the army and a smuggler chief, meet Margaret, and she is compelled to choose between them. She chooses Morgan, the smuggler chief, and in a battle between the soldiers and the smugglers she persuades the lieutenant to let Morgan go free. The lieutenant resigns his commission and leaves for Australia. The soldiers are close on the track of the smugglers. A traitor in the smuggler band sends a false message to Margaret and signs the note "Morgan." In this note Margaret is told to come to a certain rendezvous. She steals a horse for this purpose, and is captured. Little seven-year-old Marjorie, in a thrilling horseback ride across country, carries a note to Morgan. Morgan goes to Margaret's assistance, rescues her, and she goes with Morgan to join the smugglers. Among the picturesque scenes along the coasts, arrangements are made for the marriage of Morgan and Margaret. Before the priest can pronounce the final words the soldiers enter the smugglers' cave, and there is a pitched battle between the smugglers and the soldiers. Morgan is killed, Margaret is captured and sentenced to death. Sentence is afterward commuted to the convict colony in Australia. Six months later we see Margaret in Australia as matron of the children's hospital. Here she meets the former applicant for her hand, the lieutenant, who is now an officer in the government service. Through his influence Margaret is pardoned, and finally becomes the lieutenant's bride.
- The story of "Thais" takes place in Alexandria during the early era of Christianity. Many of the scenes depicting the licentious life in Alexandria would be repellent in their realism, but for the care used by the cast in keeping all the sumptuousness possible in the picture, and eliminating everything that would be offensive. During the dominance of the fair courtesan Thais, the city was at the height of its glory. Paphnuce, a young Roman but recently converted to Christianity, falls under the spell of Thais, who rules Alexandria's youth with an iron hand. But Thais is never constant in her affection, and when Paphnuce finds himself no longer her favorite he turns, brokenhearted, to the church for consolation. He becomes a hermit-monk, and goes into the desert to preach the gospel to wandering tribes. Five years later he has conquered himself completely, and fired with the ardor of saintliness. he returns to Alexandria to try and win Thais from her wicked ways. He succeeds in converting her, and while she loves him again, she is strong enough to control herself, and enters the convent of the White Sisters to expiate her earlier life of sin. But while he is bringing Thais to see the light. Paphnuce's own spiritual downfall results, for he finds his love of the woman stronger than his own steadfastness to Christianity. He can control himself no longer, and one night, coming into the convent, he finds Thais dying, brokenhearted, and is just in time to let her last breath on earth come while pillowed in his arms.
- The story opens in a room in the old Spaniard's Inn at Hempstead Heath, England. Sir Richard Devine has a meeting with Crofton, a man-about-town, who has also been known under the name of Rex. Crofton attempts to blackmail Sir Richard, and a quarrel ensues, during which Sir Richard is killed by Rex. Previous to this, Sir Richard's son Dick, a hail-fellow-well-met chap, had a quarrel with his father on account of Dick's debts, and the elder man cast off his son. Rex, knowing this, has prepared evidence so that Dick is accused of murdering his father. He is unjustly sent to prison. Several years previous to this, Parson North, before entering the ministry, had forged some notes, which were held by Sir Richard. Dick is sent to the convict settlement in an Dieman's Land, Australia, and some wonderful scenes are shown of the convicts working on the rock pile. The chain gang is shown at work, and one of the prisoners who has tried to escape is overtaken by the guard and brought back. Parson North is chaplain, and is the friend of all the convicts. Lieutenant Black, in charge of the prison, discovers the chaplain giving tobacco to the convicts, and threatens to report him. Dick Devine, now known as Rufus Dawes, is seen as a convict, working beside Rex, the man who killed Dick's father. Shortly after this, orders are given to have the convict settlement moved to Port Arthur, and the prisoners are taken in small boats on board the "Osprey," a large sailing ship. The convicts plan to overpower the guards and capture the ship. Chaplain North proves his courage by saving one of the officers from being murdered toy two of the convicts. That night the convicts overpower the crew of the "Osprey" and secure command of her. Their knowledge of sailing is limited, however, and the boat is dashed on the rocks. A stirring situation develops, during which the wrecked convicts are washed up on the beach. Major Vickers, the commanding officer of the convict settlement, had sent his wife and daughter, Sylvia, on the "Osprey," and their lives are saved only by the courageous work of some of the convicts, headed by Rufus Dawes. Dawes has made a little camp for Sylvia, and is building a boat in which he hopes to take her away from the island on which they are marooned. On the other side of the island are seen the three remaining convicts, among whom is Rex. These three are reduced to the last extremity and are drawing lots to see who shall be killed for food for the others. The convicts are recaptured and taken back to the settlement. In the meantime, Dawes has finished his boat and is about ready to launch same and take Sylvia back to civilization, when a searching party arrives and rescues them. Previous to this, one of the three convicts had killed Sylvia's mother, and the shock had deprived Sylvia of her memory. Lieutenant Black, with the rescuing party, accuses Dawes of the murder. In desperation, Dawes finally escapes from the prison at Port Arthur, and on his way to the shore meets Sylvia, now Mrs. Black. She fails to recognize Dawes, and he escapes. The sudden sight of Dawes partly restores Sylvia's memory, and she demands to see the man who rescued her. Dawes is again captured and brought back to Port Arthur, and upon seeing him, Sylvia's memory comes back to her. In the meantime, Lady Devine has arrived from England and demands to see her son, who is known as Rufus Dawes. Rex, weakened by his dreadful experiences, finally confesses to the murders of Sir Richard and Mrs. Vickers. Rufus Dawes is therefore released from prison and returns to England under his own name and title, Sir Richard Devine.
- The romantic attachment which the humbly born William Shakespeare had for the beautiful and gentle Charlotte Clopton, of Clopton Hall, is authenticated by the letters of many people of the period, and as it is one of the most potent factors in the development of the genius of Shakespeare, it is very appropriate that the film should open with the first meeting of the future playwright and the beautiful young girl. This acquaintance always remained a romantic one, on the part of young Shakespeare, but Charlotte felt the attraction more seriously. Meanwhile, Sir Hugh Clopton, Charlotte's father, who is an ardent Catholic, shelters in his house a man named Carry, who is a traitor to the Queen; he does this at the command of Pope Gregory XIII, not knowing the character of the man he is harboring. Shakespeare, pursuing the apparently gay and thoughtless tenor of his career, but in reality training the great qualities of mind which were afterwards to make him famous, displeases a lawyer in whose employ he has been, and while he is trying to explain this to his mother, a tragic scene takes place, in the assassination of the traitor Parry. Too late. Sir Hugh Clopton learns of Parry's treachery, through Shakespeare's lawyer employer, who informs Sir Thomas Lucy of the plot, and also accuses Sir Hugh of being in it. Sir Hugh's celebration of his daughter's birthday is rudely interrupted by the arrival of soldiers, who are come to arrest him for complicity in the treasonous design. The Queen pardons Sir Hugh, but his lovely daughter falls ill of a mysterious malady, which is wrongly diagnosed as The Plague, but which is a fatal one, nevertheless despite the great danger of infection. Shakespeare bids her a passionate farewell before she dies. Some months later Shakespeare, now beginning to be the great man of his village, champions pretty, shy Anne Hathaway at the Twelfth Night Revels. Their acquaintance ripens, and their courtship is played out in the beautiful environs of Stratford and about the Anne Hathaway cottage. In sharp contrast to the idyllic Anne Hathaway of the courtship, the wedded wife of Shakespeare is undoubtedly the shrew, whose sharp tongue drives her husband to the distraction of the "Lucy Arms." This condition of things, added to the fact that Shakespeare has incurred the displeasure of Sir Thomas Lucy by his poaching exploits, drives the young man to leave home. He decides to try his fortunes in London, so takes leave of Anne and his child and starts away. In London, Shakespeare views the great crowds of richly dressed people with astonishment, but he soon wins friends. The theater, of course, draws him, and outside the historic old Globe Theater he looks upon the scene of his future triumphs. The genius of the young dramatist is soon discovered by the great Lord Southampton, who becomes his generous patron and introduces him to the court of Queen Elizabeth, where he meets Raleigh, Drake, the Earl of Essex, and all the famous political and social figures of the time. The command performance of "Romeo and Juliet" in the Blackfriars Theater which is attended by the Queen and all the Court, marks the beginning of that triumph which was, through the following year, to be the great crescendo of English literature. The final stages of the film show Shakespeare in the glow of middle age. He is dreaming of his past successes, scenes from his great plays visioning themselves before him. The film closes with the fading in and fading out of the bust of Shakespeare, which is in the Parish Church of Stratford-on-Avon.
- The shades of departed spirits gather on the borderland of Paradise to meet a messenger returning from the earth who reports that all humanity is suffering because of the conflict between capital and labor. The "Master of Re-incarnation" tells the shades that there is a great work to be done on earth, that a body on earth awaits a soul. He tells the shades to select a proper man, and they select the spirit of the Conqueror Napoleon. With his genius of organization applied to peace instead of war. the shades think he can best solve the world's problems. The Master of Reincarnation leads him to the house of Peter Morgan, the great financier, and the soul of Napoleon enters into the body of the son when he is born an hour later, and is christened James Morgan. Years later, we see James returning from college, enter the office of his father. Edith Webb, the daughter of an old inventor, who has been defrauded by Morgan senior, calls to plead his case, but only to get the reply, "Your father should read his contracts before signing; the matter is closed now." James disapproves of his father's business methods, and tells him so. He hears of a new cut in wages by his father, and meets the union labor leader, Malone. Peter Morgan gives a dinner in honor of his son's arrival, and James voices his disapproval of the wage cut. The father threatens disinheritance if the son interferes. This decides James' course, and he goes to the union mass-meeting, telling them who he is, and saying he will lead their strike. He tells them to be law-abiding. Edith Webb and her father ask him to share their humble home. It is not long before James proves his genius of organization to the labor leaders of the world. James succeeds in forming an international labor association and calls a general strike, but his health breaks down under the strain. The general strike is called, and all union labor, perfectly organized, walks out to enforce its demands on the Universal Employers' Association, of which the senior Morgan is president. Three months later we see the gigantic strike still on; the commerce of the country paralyzed, and militia and army refuse to act against workmen. There is no violence. The President sends a committee of Senators to interview James Morgan on his sick bed, attended by Edith, whom he has grown to love. The Senators persuade capital to give into the demands of labor. James Morgan has won the great victory of labor, but when his father comes to call on him, and acknowledge the son a better general, James passes away; the spirit of the Conqueror goes again to Paradise, where his soul is welcomed back by the other shades, while millions of men on earth have their joy in the great labor victory dimmed by the loss of their beloved leader.
- Margaret, the daughter of Banker Morris, falls in love with Bob Wilson, an old schoolmate, who is now a circus performer. When Bob's show comes to town, he asks Margaret to marry him, and this she is advised to do by her cousin, Philip Lee, who knows it will result in disinheriting her, though thereby making him the heir of the wealthiest man in town. Bob and Margaret elope and, just as planned. Philip Lee finds himself the sole heir to Banker Morris's millions. Four years later the circus again visits the town Margaret now has a baby daughter called "Nell of the circus." who has a devoted friend in Prinsey, the clown. Philip Lee, knowing that Margaret's father has forgiven her, offers to pay her $3,000 to waive all her rights to the inheritance. When calling on her, He meets Marie, a performer in the circus, who immediately falls in love with him. Philip, offering the settlement to Margaret, makes an insulting remark, which her husband, Bob, resents. Later Philip waylays Bob, strikes him on the head and he loses his mind. A storm blows down the circus tent. Margaret is hit with one of the huge poles and killed. Prinsey the clown, takes charge of little Nell's birth certificate and her mother's marriage papers. Philip Lee follows the circus, and secretly marries Marie in a distant city. A lapse of eighteen years shows that Phil has deserted Marie; she is still in the circus with a child to support. Nell is now the leading bareback rider of the show, which, under a new name, visits the village again, and Philip Lee takes Ned Tracey and his sister, to whom he is engaged, to see it. Marie recognizes her husband in the audience, and Ned is infatuated with Nell. Marie sees her husband, who tells her he cannot prove he is married to her, and threatens to have her arrested for blackmail if she annoys him. The circus owner tries to make love to Nell she resists him, and Prinsey comes to her aid. The owner discharges Prinsey, and Nell says, "I will go, too." To enable Marie to secure the proof of her marriage, Prinsey and Nell give her all the money they have and take charge of Marie's child. They are forced to take refuge in a barn, which happens to belong to Philip Lee, who has Prinsey arrested for trespass. Ned happens to meet Nell, pays Prinsey's fine and installs them in his housekeeper's cottage. Prinsey goes to see Banker Morris with Nell's papers, but Philip Lee meets him secures the papers and refuses to return them. Ned discovers Nell with the baby, thinks the worst of her, and decides to give her up. Finally, however, Marie returns. Phil is forced to give up the proofs of Nell's parentage. Nell is accepted by her grandfather and marries Ned, while Marie is given a comfortable home.
- Three men are in love with Eva, the daughter of Jonathan Edwards, who has established a pioneer store in a new settlement in Saskatchewan, Canada. Ned Milligan is Eva's accepted suitor. Jules Riel, a French half-breed, is violently jealous of him, while Long-Arm, an Indian brave, stoically accepts his rejection. Ned Milligan is a Northwest Mounted Police officer. Jules decides to abduct Eva, and takes her to his hut in the woods. He waylays her, but Eva's screams are heard by both Ned and Long-Arm, who hurry in its direction. They arrive too late, but meeting each other in the woods they are mutually suspicious, and separate. Ned returns to Edwards store, and finds that Eva had gone to a nearby Indian settlement to purchase basketwork. Visiting the Indians' wigwam, Ned discovers that Eva left an hour previously. At that moment Long-Arm arrives, and Ned questions him suspiciously, which the Indian resents, denying all knowledge of the girl's whereabouts. Ned finally picks up the trail of Jules, and follows him into the woods. Meanwhile Jules has carried Eva off to the river, and in his canoe paddled ten miles downstream, where he disembarks and goes into the woods with the unconscious victim. Both Long-Arm and Ned follow the trail. Ned's horse breaks his leg, and after shooting the animal Ned resumes his search afoot. Long-Arm searches in his canoe for the point where Jules must disembark. In the meantime Jules gloats over Eva in the hut, and tells her that although he could easily force her to be his, he prefers to hear her say "I love you" first. He ties her in the tree, saying that when the wildcats come she will be glad to call to Jules. A series of exciting incidents follow before Ned and Long-Arm succeed in freeing Eva, while Jules is mortally wounded in the struggle. The Indian is a good loser, and seeing that Eva loves only Ned places her hand in his and silently paddles away to leave them to their joy.
- Claude Melnotte, an artist of lowly birth, is spurned by the proud Pauline, daughter of the wealthy Lyons merchant, Deschappelles. Beauseant, a rich gentleman who has been refused with levity by Pauline, plans to be revenged for the insult. He sees Claude Melnotte place a bouquet on the windowsill of Pauline's room. Pauline finds a note in the bouquet and when she discovers that her secret admirer is Claude Melnotte, the son of a gardener, she throws the flowers into the street. Beauseant follows Claude home, and persuades him to assume the fictitious title of "Prince of Como" for which purpose Beauseant furnishes money. Claude signs a contract, agreeing not to reveal his true identity until Beauseant gives him permission. Beauseant equips him with the valuable dress and trinkets of his supposed princely rank, introduces him to the leading society, and obtains for him an invitation to the home of the merchant Deschappelles. Pauline is enchanted with the Prince, and his rank and apparent wealth prove too much for her when Claude proposes marriage. She accepts him and the wedding takes place with great pomp and splendor. Meanwhile Claude has told his mother of his deception and has asked her to help him to comfort Pauline when she is disillusioned. He has to take Pauline to his mother's home as he has no other home for her. Pauline is heartbroken when she finds that she is the guest of a poor cottager instead of the mistress of a wonderful castle. Finding Pauline inconsolable Claude suggests that she divorce him, and having no hope in life left him, he enlists, goes to war, and Pauline returns to her father's home. He is promoted for bravery and returns two years later as Col. Melnotte. During Claude's absence Deschappelles has lost his money and Beauseant has come to the rescue, making the hand of Pauline his condition. Claude is just in time to prevent the marriage, and win Pauline for his own again. The scene closes with Pauline in the arms of Claude.
- In a short prologue, Gunpowder Wetherill, a millionaire chemist, discovers the formula for making noiseless gunpowder and at once telegraphs Washington of his success. The War and Navy Departments tell him to take the formula and proceed to Hampton Roads, where all tests will be made. The secret of the discovery is closely guarded. But an indiscreet young under-secretary lets slip a stray word to a reporter regarding the new discovery and the newspapers seize upon it and make it public. Into an international conspiracy to rob Wetherill of his formula is thrust Hope Flannigan, a little slavey employed as a dishwasher in a small Sixth Avenue restaurant conducted by Gaston, a spy employed by a foreign government. He and his woman confederate, La Belle, receive instructions to gain possession of the formula. Wetherill has a daughter, Irene, and Gaston determines to obtain the formula and marry the daughter as well. But he reckons without the sentimental Madame Claire, cashier of Maison Gaston, to whom he has made love in odd moments. Madame Claire precipitates a quarrel which takes place in the kitchen of the restaurant. On Hope, however, unable to restrain her laughter, falls the weight of Gaston's fury and she flees from his wrath. On the same day, Irene Wetherill sets out to attend a meeting of the Big Sisters' Society. On the steps of the lecture hall she meets the prim old Misses Alstyn and their nephew Van, with whom she is in love. Van tells her that he thinks the play he has written is "going over" and if so they will have a "dash to the altar." Van, on reaching the manager's office, has his play returned with an admonition to write about things as they really happen. Meanwhile the lecturer of the afternoon insists that no one is a true Big Sister unless she take a girl in distress into her own home and keep her there. Fired with enthusiasm, the Misses Alstyn, on their way home, meet the weeping Hope, whom they take home. Van, with very little money, feels he cannot marry, but Irene reassures him and begs him to try to go to Stormcliffs, as she and her father are leaving for a week's rest before going to Hampton Roads. His eye by chance lights upon an advertisement calling for first class waiters at the hotel where Irene will stop, and he decides to apply for a job to earn his board, disguising himself in his role as waiter and collecting local color as well for his play. He gets the job. Gaston, posing as Count Tomaso, and LaBelle as Mrs. Dardenell, follow them. Van's aunts decide to surprise their nephew whom they believe is stopping at the hotel as a guest, and descend upon him. They take Hope with them. The conspirators gain the friendship of Irene and her father, and Van, helpless in his waiter's garb, grows jealous. The arrival of Hope changes matters, for Gaston she recognizes as her old employer and walks toward him with hands outstretched in greeting. Gaston declares he does not know her and Miss Amelie Alstyn apologizes for her profusely. Hope unconsciously has won the admiration of Adolph, a bell boy. La Belle and Gaston plan to strike that night, Gaston gives her a tablet with which she is to drug Wetherill's wine. Hope, wandering alone, faces Gaston for the second time. He threatens to kill her if she breathes his name to a soul or tells of his meeting LaBelle there. LaBelle joins in and Hope, terrified, escapes. Van finds her and she tells him the whole story. Adolph sees her in conversation with the pseudo-waiter and tells the Misses Alstyn, who lock her in her room that night as a punishment. Van, meanwhile, comes face to face with Irene, who is angry at his neglect of her and tells him the Count is giving a dinner in his rooms for her and her father that night. Van is assigned to wait at the Count's dinner. After dinner Gaston takes Irene out on a small balcony and LaBelle drugs Wetherill's wine. Van watches, and when Wetherill becomes drugged LaBelle starts to rob, Van springing from his hiding place, accuses her, but she realizes that he can prove nothing. The glass is drained; the formula undisturbed. Irene and Gaston enter and LaBelle tells her that her father was taken suddenly ill. Gaston offers to go for help, but Van sends for the manager and detectives, declaring he has a witness who can prove who Gaston is. Then he starts to bring Hope. But Hope finding a note under her door from Adolph, begging her to climb down the ladder attached to the porch outside the room, and at Adolph's earnest proposal decides whimsically that she might as well marry him as go back to the "two kind-hearted old funerals" and elopes. Van, bursting into the room for his one and only witness, finds it empty. Wetherill is angry with Van for accusing LaBelle with whom he has become infatuated and Van returns home. Hope meanwhile arrives home with her new husband, and desiring to show him off to the girls in "Gaston's old place," stops in there. There Madam Claire learns for the first time of Gaston's whereabouts and, insane with jealousy she brandishes a letter in which he promised to return and marry her and forces Hope and Adolph to go to him with her. Gaston writes to Wetherill asking his daughter's hand in marriage. Irene indignantly refuses, but takes the letter, and meets Gaston in the foyer. There as she talks with him Madame Claire looms up followed by Hope and Adolph. Gaston's identity is proven and he and LaBelle are arrested.
- Catharine, the Queen Mother of France, urged by the noble and influential house of Guise, became jealous of the growing strength and popularity of the Huguenot, or Protestant party, the head of which was Henry, King of Navarre. The wily Italian Queen of France found that to make any success in her plots against this rising party, she would have to get the main body of them to Paris, and she therefore arranged a marriage between Marguerite De Valois and Henry, the Huguenot King. Thousands of the flower of the Huguenot faith flocked to Paris to witness the welding together of the two political and religious factions. The marriage was performed, while the Huguenots were feted and flattered until no vestige of suspicion of treachery could enter their minds. The feast of St. Bartholomew was nigh and all was ready for the blow to be struck. The King, a weak, hysterical boy of but 23 years, tried to stop the tragedy but was overruled by his mother and gave the order for the massacre of the Huguenots on the eve of the feast of St. Bartholomew. Never in the history of the world has a plot, known to practically every Catholic in Paris, including the scum of the streets, been kept so absolutely secret as was this one against the Huguenots. During the evening the streets of Paris were practically deserted, save for a few bands of priests and soldiers who nailed white crosses on the houses of all Catholics, to shield them from the fury of the blood-mad mob. Nobles mingled with beggars, hiding in tenements and archways and, in fact, anywhere which would be a vantage point for the killing of the hated Huguenots. At midnight the stillness of death spread over the city, and suddenly to the waiting thousands came the ringing of the bell of St. Germaine which was the prearranged signal for the massacre to commence. For the next twenty-four hours. Paris was a charnel house. Marie de Mornay. the daughter of a Huguenot nobleman, has been betrothed against her will to a childhood friend of the family. She loves her finance as a brother but not as a wife should love a husband, yet to save her father from financial ruin she consents to become the wife of the wealthier Huguenot noble. The two families attend the royal marriage, and there the king himself presents to her the dare-devil Catholic noble. Raoul de Tournay, a close confident of his majesty. On "The Fatal Night" he plans to save Marie's life from the general massacre, and forces her to become his wife in return for his services in saving her whole family and fiancé from death. She agrees, and in a well-told story of the thrilling events of the next few days, we see how Marie learns to love her husband, whose nobility and generosity find expression in his every act, despite the harshness of his wooing.
- The Countess of Northstone, wife of the Prime Minister of a great power, gives a lawn party at her country home. Among her guests is an ambassador whose government is suspected of plotting a war against the country to which he is accredited. The prime Minister asks his wife to obtain as much information as she can from the ambassador, who is in love with her. She plays with him and, as he is fully convinced that he has conquered her, his secretary brings him a note. Lady Sibil plays with him pretending the note is from a woman. To vindicate himself he shows her the letter: "Meet me at the Carlton Club tonight. Important information," the note is signed, von Hatzfeldt. The Countess knows this man as the leader of a party called "The Brotherhood," which was formed for anarchistic purposes. Leaving the Ambassador she at once seeks Captain Balfour, secretary to the Prime Minister and asks him to play the spy, "In the interests of your country." He goes to the club and obtains positive proof that the Ambassador has been bought with the crime money of the "Brotherhood" represented by Baron von Hatzfeldt. The Foreign Ambassadors are received by the Prime Minister that evening at his official residence. While the reception is in progress a note arrives from the continent: "Declaration of war is imminent unless strategic diplomacy is used. Send special envoy with full power to act at once." Salston, who is the representative on the continent of the Great Power, is in fact its Ambassador. That night at the reception Baron von Hatzfeldt is confronted with the proofs of his treachery and the Countess exposes him to the people and tells what he was ten years before. We see him as a leader of a detachment of soldiers invading a peaceful country and shooting down unarmed and defenseless peasants, and also see him murdering the brother of the countess as he lies asleep in his bed. At the end of the story the wife of the Baron enters, and sorrow for her makes the Prime Minister relax his decision of punishment and he permits them to go with the understanding that they leave the country at once. This they agree to do. Balfour is to be sent as an Envoy Extraordinary to the foreign power and is to use his best efforts to avert the threatened declaration of war. As he is leaving his apartments he is attacked by the Baron and the Ambassador, assisted by their hirelings. They think he has information about him as to the purport of his mission and attempt to rob him. Fortunately his instructions are verbal, so they accomplish nothing. In revenge they place him on a steamer and put to sea. intending to rid themselves of him at the first chance. He is disabled but gradually his reason and his strength return and when attacked by the crew he gives a good account of himself. He is overpowered at last and made to walk the plank into the sea. Thinking Balfour is dead they return to port, but blindfolded and with hands and feet tied, he manages to reach the shore and is revived by some fishermen. He again starts on his mission. A wonderful scene in the palace of the Emperor is shown; the Emperor is surrounded by his chief officers and civilian advisers and announces amid great enthusiasm that war against the world is declared. Fighting his way to the Emperor the Envoy Extraordinary reaches the council room as the Emperor is signing the document. Seizing it he tears it to pieces and in the scene which ensues he convinces the Emperor and his advisers that it is better not to fight. To this they readily agree when shown the reason. Balfour returns to his own country and, as both the Baron and the Ambassador demand "satisfaction," they get it, but in a way that can hardly be called pleasing to them. The Baron is beaten at the game he himself invites. In the duel with the Ambassador, it is very evident that the Ambassador will hardly serve his country again. Balfour receives the thanks of his country and all ends as wars should end, with satisfaction and peace on all sides.
- Rollicking comedy ensues when an old-fashioned traveling melodrama troupe arrives in the town of Hickville.
- A reformed slum landlord thrashes a cruel rent collector and adopts evicted orphans.
- Bill is in love with Nan, Buck is also in love with her, but has been rejected. On a hunting trip Bill has an encounter with Chief Long Feather, they fight over a dead turkey and Bill leaves victorious. Buck gets the Chief to kidnap Nan.
- Struck by American Molly Randolph's beauty, Englishman John Winston poses as Brown, a chauffeur, and conducts Molly and her aunt Mary on a tour of London, Paris, and other parts of Europe. John eventually wins Molly's affection, despite the best efforts of Frenchman Tallyrand, and Jimmy Payne of South Orange, New Jersey.
- In the opening scene, little Emma starts out with her father and mother to visit some neighbors. Before reaching the neighboring ranch, they meet the school teacher and one of her pupils, Billy, who informs Emma's parents that the Indians are on the warpath again. Taking the teacher and Billy into the wagon, they turn about and start back for home. They are met by one of the cowboys, who has ridden to overtake them and apprise them that the Indians are between them and the ranch. They discover that the Indians are gaining on them and take refuge in a deserted log hut. During the fight that ensues, Emma's father and mother and the school mistress are killed by the Indians, the cowboy is wounded and left for dead. Little Emma has hidden away from the Indians and Billy, less fortunate, is taken by them and adopted by the tribe. After the Indians leave, Emma crawls out of her hiding place, the cowboy recovers consciousness, and together they escape. Ten years later we are given a view of the Indian camp, with Billy as the adopted son of the chief of the tribe. Little Emma has grown into a dashing young lady and is keeping house for the cowboy, who has brought her up from a little child. On one of Emma's rides she overtakes a coon, which crawls out to the end of a branch overhanging a river. Emma, in crawling out on the branch to capture the coon, falls off into the river, and is rescued by Billy, who to all appearances is a full-blooded Indian. Emma is frightened by Billy and starts on the run for home, dropping her hat in the excitement. She has another adventure on the way, being treed by a large black bear. Billy has followed her, seeking an opportunity to return her hat, and arrives just in time to kill the bear and again save Emma's life. This time, Emma is not quite so fearful of her rescuer, and an acquaintance is formed. On Billy's return to the Indian camp, he is informed that he must marry White Dove, the daughter of the chief. Billy having fallen in love with Emma, refuses, and is made prisoner, sentenced to die at dawn if he does not obey the chief's command. White Dove, who loves Billy, learns of his love for the white maiden and in the unselfishness of her affection aids him to escape. Billy's identity is finally established; he renounces the Indians and their customs and once more takes his place among his white brethren. The acquaintance of Emma and Billy ripens into mutual love, and the story leaves them happy together. White Dove takes up her daily life again in the camp, heart-broken at her loss, yet consoled by the thought that the man she loved had been made happy by her sacrifice.
- A thief uses a corpse to fake his own drowning and saves his remarried wife from a gambler.
- The story of the Mad Czar deals with a historical subject, the accession to the throne of Russia in 1796 of Paul the First, son of Catherine (sub-named the "Great") and his subsequent meteoric career which ended in his assassination in 1801. The Mad Czar from the moment of his ascent to the throne displayed eccentricities which progressed into a malady of such pronounced type as to gain for him his nickname of the Mad Czar. This progression is shown in the various stages of its development through startlingly vivid incidents, such as plucking out by the roots the beard of an officer, the striking down in front of the regiment one of his most faithful officers, his childish sticking out his tongue in the midst of important social gatherings, his ridicule of the representatives of the church and many other incidents. It is to these incidents and many others of similar nature that the undoing of Paul was brought about. Count Pahlen Chief of Police of St. Petersburg was the arch conspirator in the Czar's overthrow. He gathered about him a cabal of officers representing the various corps in the service and disseminated among them the seed which later found fruit in the Czar's assassination in 1801. The clever manner in which the Count succeeded in inveigling Prince Alexander into the plot against his father is perfectly depicted. The love of the Countess Anna for the Mad Czar and her wonderful influence over the mad man furnishes a deep tragic and sympathetic throb for his misfortunes.