Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
to
to
Exclude
Only includes titles with the selected topics
to
In minutes
to
1-50 of 247
- Mollie Roberts, and her sister, Nellie, left alone in the world, are compelled to support themselves, Nellie succumbs to the wiles of Jim Henderson, a married man, and after a baby is born he calls at the humble abode of the sisters. When he heartlessly refuses to help the unfortunate mother and her child, Mollie flies into a justifiable rage, threatens to have him arrested, and orders him from the house. He hastens to his home, tells his wife to pack up, and the two flee to a distant city where he secures a position on the police force as a detective. Mollie does the best she can for her unfortunate sister and the baby, but the infant dies and the mother soon follows. Mollie, to get away from the scene of sorrow, reaches the city where Henderson is located. After making repeated efforts to find work she is forced to accept a position as singer in a coast resort. Here she meets Joe Hardy, who has fallen in with evil companions, "Red the Dope," and "Slick the Sniffer." There is an exchange of sympathy between Mollie and Joe, both seeming so much out of place. Mollie does not know, however, that "Red" and "Slick" have succeeded in making a dope fiend out of Joe or that the three have planned a robbery. The burglary is attempted but a frightened servant in the house 'phones for the police. "Big Ida," one of the gang, is on watch. She scents the officers and blows a whistle, which is the signal for Joe to warn "Red" and "Slick." He gives the order but "Red" and "Slick" are caught nevertheless. Henderson, who is with the raiding party, goes after Joe, but the latter outfoots him and reaches the rendezvous of the gang. Henderson returns to police headquarters where "Red" and "Slick" are lined up. The chief of police, the arresting officers and Henderson apply the third degree to the crooks. They refuse to implicate a third party until an officer is sent after "Big Ida." She is placed in a cell. There is a policeman on one side of the door and a stenographer on the other to make it appear that she is confessing. Then a curtain is raised and she is revealed to the startled gaze of "Red" who weakens and tell what he knows despite "Slick's" efforts to stop him. Henderson scours the underworld for Joe, stopping at numerous places to collect his graft. Entering the Midway Cafe where Mollie is singing he makes the proprietor give him his money. After his departure Joe appears and Mollie gets him a place as an entertainer. During the few weeks that follow they fall in love and Mollie influences Joe to quit taking dope. Henderson discovers Joe and places him under arrest. Mollie confronts Henderson who is dumbfounded. She demands in payment of her sister's life that he liberate her lover. Henderson is on the point of doing so when the proprietor of the place, enraged because he believes the detective has tricked him, draws a revolver and kills him. Joe is apprehended and sentenced to a term in prison. Upon the day of his release Mollie meets him and the two leave for unknown parts to be married and to lead a new life.
- Mrs. Carlton has two daughters, Alice, a modest unassuming girl, and Ermer, a high-headed, self-willed girl. On her death bed, Mrs. Carlton calls Alice to her. "You are so backward, Alice," she says, "I don't like to die and leave you alone; your sister Ermer will be treading pearls, while you are everybody's servant." John Blair, well-to-do merchant, and his wife have two sons who are direct opposites in character. Ned is quiet, grave, while Ray is gay. When Mrs. Carlton dies, the orphan sisters are forced to look for work. Alice obtains a position as servant in the home of Blair. Ermer becomes a salesgirl in Blair's store. Ermer scorns Alice for working as a servant, while Alice is full of anxiety because of the dangers Ermer is exposed to in her store position. Ray spots Ermer in the store, and the young fellow starts a flirtation. When payday comes, Alice has five dollars saved, while Ermer has only a dollar left after paying for room and board. Alice mails her five dollars to Ermer with a note saying that she does not need the money, and telling Ermer to buy clothes with it. Ray has persuaded Ermer to lunch with him at a café. There Ray places a beautiful chain of pearls about Ermer's neck, and offers to loan her money to buy clothes. Ermer hesitates at first, but is finally persuaded to accept both the pearls and the money. Ermer is contemptuous when she receives Alice's letter. She sends the money back with a note, "Keep your chink; I don't need it. I'm wearing pearls already, while you are what mother said you'd be." Alice is disturbed over Ermer's letter. A premonition comes to her in which she sees their dead mother placing a chain of pearls about Ermer's neck with the words, "The pearls of your virtue my child, guard them jealously." Then a muddy hand comes out of the water, seizes and breaks the chain, and the pearls fall into the water. A sneering, laughing face appears from the water. It is Ray's face. Alice hurries to Ermer's boarding house, tells of her premonition, and pleads with Ermer to be careful. Ermer turns her out of the room. An undeclared pure love has sprung up between Alice and Ned. Ray takes Ermer to his birthday party, given at the house, where the two sisters face each other. Ray takes Ermer for a boat ride and a stroll in the park, where he tries to accomplish her ruin. Through breaking of her pearl chain, Ermer realizes Alice's warning. She escapes from Ray before it is too late. Meanwhile Ned has declared his intention of marrying Alice and has been turned out of the house by Blair. Ned and Alice meet Ray, whose hands and face are muddy from wading in the water in an attempt to pursue Ermer. Alice, fearful of her premonition, hurries to the lake with Ned. There they find a safe and repentant Ermer, who points to some loose pearls in the bottom of the boat, saying, "You were right, Alice, look, I am treading pearls." Ned, angry, returns to the Blair home with the girls and accuses Ray. The latter finally admits his guilt and is led off in disgrace. Mrs. Blair extends a welcome to Alice.
- Lucy, a machine girl in a sweatshop, works beside Marie, a girl whose stunted morality prompts her to take advantage of Lucy's innocence and teach her the art of income without labor. The oppression of sweatshop existence makes Lucy receptive to Marie's proposal. The two girls attend a dance where they are followed by two cadets desirous of gaining the price set by Mme. Mazie, a representative of the white slave traffic. Ted Gordon, a derelict, whose addiction to drink has made him an outcast, overhears Mme. Mazie's proposition. He follows the two girls to the dance. Impressed by Lucy's innocence, he succeeds in thwarting the scheme. Mrs. Gordon, a noted philanthropist, visits the sweatshop. In reality Mrs. Gordon has adopted slum work actuated by the hope that her lost son might be found and restored to her and his father, whose iron will drove him from home on account of his drinking. At the sweatshop Mrs. Gordon is robbed of her purse by Marie, who induces Lucy to take the purse and escape. Mrs. Gordon discovers the theft and Marie throws suspicion onto Lucy. Lucy's escape is effected by disguise and by utilizing various fire escapes. She gets into a tenement room just in time to prevent Ted, who is in a semi-delirious state, from carrying out his self-destruction. With some of the stolen money, she brings a physician to Ted's room. The physician becomes conversant with part of Ted's history, and also the part relating to Lucy's timely entrance. Lucy overhears a plot and subsequently warns Ted's father in time to prevent his being held up by a couple of thugs. Ted's father has likewise relented, and spends his time in trying to discover the whereabouts of his son, hence his visit to the slum district. Ted recovers sufficiently to determine (having heard the doctor's story of how the waif had saved him from self-destruction) to abstain from drink and to go west in an effort to make good and then to return home. Before this plan is carried out other incidents occur which alter his plan of loafing. Lucy's conscience bothers her. She takes the purse back to Mrs. Gordon, tells her story, and is forgiven. Lucy's father has meanwhile been arrested while in the act of "rolling" a victim. While Lucy and Mrs. Gordon arc conversing Mr. Gordon returns and recognizes the girl who saved him from being robbed. Lucy recognizes the photograph of Ted, their lost son, as the sick man whom she has helped. She takes her parents to the sick man's room, reconciliation follows, and the next morning the home is made happy by all determining to forget the past and live only for the future. Marie has been captured and landed in jail.
- Butts Casey, crook, is summoned to the police station and questioned by Chief of Police Curren about a robbery that took place the night before in which a watchman was stabbed. Third degree methods are used with the knife that had been found on the scene. Butts rises and calmly says, "Curren, you haven't anything on me, and never will. So long." And Butts walks out unmolested. Then a new element comes into the life of Butts, Ruth West, stenographer in a factory office, and her crippled mother, move into the tenement flat adjoining Butts' room. Butts rescues Ruth from the attentions of a gang of young toughs, and they become acquainted. Harry Allen, Ruth's sweetheart, who is employed by the factory where she works, has been ordered out on the road for a month's trip. Therefore. Butts knows nothing of Harry, and Ruth is silent on the subject because she never dreams that Butts is falling In love with her. Butts, however, is hard hit. He puts away his burglar tools and gets a job on a construction gang. Chief Curren is amazed when he learns that Butts has gone to work. Meanwhile, in another city, Harry has fallen into the hands of Bert and Olga Lang, card sharpers. When Harry finally quits the game, Lang holds his I.O.U. for $2,000. At a holiday picnic Butts tells Ruth of his love. The girl is surprised. She tells him that she is engaged to Harry. Butts takes the blow like a man, promising always to be Ruth's friend, and resolving to himself to continue on the straight path. Harry returns, trailed by the Langs and the fatal I.O.U. Harry's worried manager seems coldness to Ruth. One day Butts finds her crying after she had seen Harry had spoken to Olga. Butts starts an investigation and trails Olga. In a cheap café Butts overhears Olga telling Lang that Harry will, "get the money from the office tonight and meet us here." Butts, alarmed, fearful for Harry, hurries from the café. Harry, threatened by the Langs, who say they will tell the factory boss about the I.O.U., has finally, in desperation, gone to the office to rifle the manager's desk, knowing that there is money in one of the drawers. Butts gets his revolver and tools and hurries to the office, where he finds Harry breaking open the drawer. For the sake of the girl, Butts saves Harry from actual theft and so arranges the trial that it points plainly to Butts Casey as the intruder. Then Butts takes up the I.O.U. with his own money and gives it to Harry and Ruth as a wedding present, making Harry promise that he will not transgress again. Butts, again brought before Chief Curren, acknowledges he is caught this time. As Butts is led to jail, the chief puzzles over the strange case, of which he has seen only the outward signs.
- Ned Gillett's father, head of a big trust company, kills himself when it is discovered that be has embezzled, and Ned, convinced that Francis Hardor, his sweetheart, would not marry the son of an embezzler, goes West without telling her. In the mountains he rescues, Larence, an old miner, from Billows Jones, a desperado. In revenge, Jones dislodges the old man's shack from its perch on the hillside. Ned escapes, but the miner is fatally Injured. He tells Ned of the Mainspring, a mine in Calvert City which he had abandoned, intending to return when he could work It. On Ned's arrival in Calvert City he finds Jones selling abandoned mines to Easterners. Jones has a sucker in tow who proves to be the brother of his old sweetheart, Frances, who is with him. She meets Ned but ignores him, and embarrassed at his presence, returns home. Ned files his claim, and saves young Hardor from being swindled by Jones. They then become partners in the "Mainspring," which turns out well, but they have trouble with the miners, instigated by Jones. Frances and Peggy, Hardor's sweetheart, visit the mine and are caught in a fire started by tools of Jones. They are all rescued by Ned. The miners attack the office building. Ned is wounded during the fight, but Jones is killed. After his recovery Ned awakens to find Frances at his side. Mutual explanations heal the old estrangement, and both are happy.
- Paul, raised by gypsies, is sent to college and falls in love with the co-ed Daisy.
- Gilbert, an elderly man and gambling partner of Dick, is startled by a shot in the next room. He rushes in to find Dick standing over the body of a man whom he has just shot and killed while intoxicated. Gilbert, conversant with police and their ways, realizes flight would be futile until Dick has sobered. The shot has alarmed hotel guests, who are at the door trying to ascertain the cause of the disturbance. Gilbert conceals the body in the bathroom and closes the door. Assuming a provoked mood, he admits hotel manager and house detectives and offers an excuse that Dick is drunk. After Dick has sobered, Gilbert informs him of his crime. He is horrified. They effect a daring escape and later meet in a distant city. Gilbert's only motive, although an accessory after the fact, is to protect Dick from apprehension. The eye of the law, however, never sleeps. A detective becomes suspicious of Gilbert, and Gilbert sensing the condition, again makes his escape, likewise taking Dick with him. They seek safety in boarding at the home of Myra, formerly employed at the hotel from which Gilbert made his second escape. Time develops friendship and gratitude, Dick having protected Myra in time of danger, which develops into deeper sentiment. Dick, realizing the stain on his hand, does not permit his love for the girl to belittle his crime. It is here his life undergoes a change. The girl's purity and influence seem to open to him a new world. But his yearning for an existence commensurate with the girl's idealism is blackened by his crime of the past. All this Gilbert sees and understands. It proves an inception for Gilbert to make a noble sacrifice. He realizes his, Gilbert's, life is nearing sundown, while Dick, whose life has been with a rough element, has just passed the development of maturity. Then follows a stirring chase on the trail of the gamblers by the detectives, ending in the capture of Gilbert, who shoulders the crime, and convincing Dick for the girl's sake in his innocence. Dick later visits Gilbert in jail, forgives Gilbert for the "lie." Gilbert reflects that perhaps the Lord will understand and forgive, "Who knows?"
- On the night when the girl's engagement is announced, her mother misses a costly necklace. A private detective is called in. He discovers that the girl's father has given the necklace to an adventuress. He visits the adventuress and is s held up by her companion, a crook, who suggests that they all blackmail the old man. The girl is kidnapped and taken to an empty house, where she is held prisoner. Her sweetheart gets on the trail, rescues her with the aid of the police, and they reach the detective's office just as her father is signing a check for blackmail. The detective gets his just deserts, and the matter is adjusted.
- The story opens in a small middle west settlement. Jim Lowell, station agent, and Anne Lowell are unhappily married. Jim has an affair with Ida Standing, wife of Joe Standing. After a fearful scene between Anne and Jim, Anne hits him with a crockery jar, when he attempts to choke her, and she believes she has killed him. Horror stricken, she escapes to the city. Later Joe and Ida find Jim and revive him. Anne is run down by an auto belonging to Jefferson Caldwell, a rich young man suffering from ennui. He takes her to his home, falls in love with her and later marries her, but she tells him nothing of her past, for he has told her that that does not bother him. Ten years elapse and Anne has developed into a beautiful woman. She is the mother of two children and has almost forgotten the hideous chapter of her life. On their summer estate, Joe Standing is engaged as gardener, and he and Ida occupy the gardener's cottage. Later, Anne meets them and learns that Jim is not dead, but that he is in the city. Ida jealous and longing to get even with Anne for "squealing on her to Joe," as she puts it, informs Jim of Anne's whereabouts, and Jim determines to try blackmail. That night while Anne, heartbroken, is giving a dance, Ida is called in to watch the children. Her maternal instinct is awakened; she realizes what it will mean for the children and she confesses to Joe what she has done. As Anne is sleeping that night, Caldwell, in the adjoining room, hears Jim enter her room. Joe, wandering in the garden, sees him and follows. He threatens Anne and when she pulls a gun he wrenches it from her. Joe comes in; the two men struggle, when Jim pulls the gun on Joe. Jim is killed and when Caldwell rushes in from his room, Joe explains that he followed the burglar, as he calls Jim, and shot him in self-defense.
- Mrs. Ness has championed the cause of Hubert Ranston, a social favorite who has come to her with a letter of commendation from her friends in Paris, the Fraemes. Acting as hostess at a function which she is giving, Mrs. Ness takes pains to introduce Hubert to Mrs. Carroll and her daughter, Edith, and suggests to the mother that if it is not too late Edith had better disregard her engagement with Joe Brooks, a wealthy contractor, who has but little time for society. Edith dances with Hubert and notes how pleasing he is. While the festivity is at its height and while Mrs. Ness is adding some jewels to those she already has on to make her more attractive, she is robbed by an unseen thief. When she realizes the theft, she calls for assistance, and we find Hubert doing everything to assist her and suggests the aid of the police. Hubert and Edith later see much of each other. Even after her marriage she meets the social favorite clandestinely, much to her mother's annoyance. When Mrs. Carroll finds that Edith will not listen to her argument, she tells Joe and cautions him about his wife's indiscretions. Business calls Joe from town one day and he does not return home until midnight. That day Hubert wrote Edith asking her to accompany him to an evening concert. Home from the affair, Hubert shows the bride his love and asks her to leave her husband for him. She cannot bring herself to this point and asks him to leave her as she is tired. Hubert leaves. Alter the butler has locked the house, an unknown intruder appears in the bedroom of Edith and picks up her valuable necklace from the dressing table. As Joe enters the house the unseen burglar escapes in the limousine Edith and Hubert are known to have ridden in when they returned from the concert. Joe finds the car there, demands to know to whom it belongs, and questioning the butler, learns that Hubert and Edith had been out that evening together. Joe awakens his wife to learn if Hubert had been there, and Edith confesses that she had only been to the concert and that Hubert had left the house some time since. Joe is hurt at his wife's indiscretion, but trusts her honor and tells her to wait until morning when he wishes to discuss the matter with her. Next morning Edith finds her necklace has been stolen. She raises the alarm and Joe sends for a detective, who finds fingerprints, and a note from Hubert to Edith, asking her to accompany him to the concert. After his inspection of the house the detective interrogates the butler, and from him learns that Hubert was the last person in the house before he locked up for the night. The detective is suspicious of Hubert. Returning to headquarters he inspects the identification cards, and finds that the fingerprints he secured at the Brook's home match those of a noted social gangster whose picture resembles that of Hubert Ranston. After Joe has gone to business Edith, herself suspicious, goes to Hubert's home and questions him as to why he remained there so long and why his car was outside the house when her husband returned home. Hubert tells her his auto was out of order and it took some time to repair it. Then Hubert, making love to Edith, tells her now that she is there in his home that he intends to keep her. The detective goes for Joe, and then repairs at once for Hubert's home. They are just in time, for Edith has fainted and Hubert is dragging her to a room. Hubert hears the arrival of the auto. Looking out of his window he sees the detective and Joe entering his house. Rushing to a button, he releases a spring and a sliding mantel draws back. Hubert is about to escape when the detective catches him, and during the struggle a half-witted woman comes from a poorly furnished room on the other side of the mantel. After Hubert is manacled, the detective exposes Hubert as one of the notorious criminals of the day, and tells Edith that the woman is his half-witted wife. After the stolen necklace is recovered Hubert is led away to prison and Joe looks comfortingly at his wife, who embraces him. As the picture fades, Edith offers the demented woman her support and takes her with her to a new and different home.
- A little girl and her father are among the settlers in a small western town. The father is very friendly with the neighboring Indian tribe and is presented with a quaint piece of metal representing a dragon's claw, the tribe's good luck omen. Some time later, while traveling with his daughter, he is held up by a band of bandits and is shot by a man of their number who takes from him this dragon's claw. The man is left to die on the desert. Years pass. The little girl has grown into a beautiful young lady. She lives in a large eastern city and is prominent in the best society. She still remembers the days in the west, the episode of the dragon's claw and the killing of her father. She marries. Her husband is a prominent figure in the business world. Their love is very real and their life most happy. He becomes interested in a mine in the west which is found to yield the richest gold. He decides to go out west to see this mine and his wife expresses a desire to go along with him. The mine is christened "The Dragon's Claw," because of an Indian charm the man owns. His wife does not connect the name with the killing of her father. While out on a western desert, he shows the dragon's claw to his wife. She then recognizes it as the kind her father possessed when he was killed. She has understood it to be the only one of its kind. So it is her husband who killed her father. What shall she do? She is undecided. She cannot bring herself to kill him in cold blood. Still, she must avenge her father's death. So, taking all with her, she leaves him alone on the desert to die. Some bandits have been prowling in the neighborhood. They see the woman and decide to make away with her. They start to carry out their plans. The husband sees them, realizes their purpose and hurries after his wife. He arrives while she is holding the bandits at bay, and while saving her, he is himself killed. Help has arrived and to them the woman leaves the dead body, continuing on her way alone. She will have nothing to do with the man who killed her father. About an hour later she meets an Indian trader. In his hand he has a dragon's claw which he wants to sell to her, like the one her husband and father had. Can it be that there are two such curios in existence, she asks? The Indian draws out a handful. They are common as dirt in that section of the country. The woman realizes her tragic mistake, rushes back to the dead body of her husband and falls lifeless over it.
- The little cash that Jim Harding has managed to put aside to pay off the indebtedness on his place, which is almost due, has been lost in gambling. His wife forgives him for his folly and determines, unknown to him, to try to raise the money. Accordingly, she rides off to town, but a girth on her saddle breaks and she is hurled to the ground, being rendered unconscious. Jules Valdez, a notorious road agent, has been terrorizing the surrounding country for some time, and a large reward has been offered for his capture. The sheriff and his posse catch sight of their quarry as he looks at a sign announcing the reward, and wound him in the side. He gets away, however, and comes across the senseless form of Mrs. Harding in the road. Picking her up, he carries her to her home, where Jim, recognizing him, hides him in a room, and attends to his injuries. He then throws the officers off the scent when they ride up to the house. A few days later Valdez comes across the letter referring to the payment on the ranch and determines to get the money in his lawless way, and to repay Jim for his kindness. He then dresses in the clothes of his benefactor, holds up a gambling joint in which Jim has just won a large roll, and relieves a noted gambler of his winnings. In the fusillade of shots which follows, Jim is wounded on the wrist and Valdez loses Jim's hat, which he has been wearing. The authorities find the hat, in which are Jim's initials, and when they learn that he has a large roll are sure of their Capture. Things look bad for the rancher. As Jim is being led away with the admonition that he "will hang for this," Valdez, who has returned to his hiding place in the house of his benefactor, comes forth and announces that he is the man whom they are seeking.
- Leonore Harris, a cabaret dancer, is taken ill and her physician orders a rest. She goes into a quiet mountain village and becomes the object of interest and speculation for the mountaineers. She informs Sheriff Jones she wants to rent a cottage. The sheriff proves as efficient in real estate as in the performance of his duties as an officer. She becomes a neighbor of John Bingham, a young mountaineer, who, however, is married and has a daughter. The city visitor is not long in attracting his attention and he becomes a rival of Sheriff Jones. Young Mrs. Bingham's brother is not long in perceiving his brother-in-law's duplicity and threatens to bring him to task if he does not desist. Her health regained, Leonore returns to the city and John, taking his savings, accompanies her. Arriving in the city, his "rube" appearance is noticeable and Leonore induces him to purchase a "sporty" wardrobe. He patronizes the café where Leonore dances and is king of the place, upon liberal distribution of money. He accompanies Leonore home with a couple of "about-towners" and his bankroll disappears. But it is not until morning brings soberness that he realizes his loss. His money gone, Leonore spurns his attentions. He is no longer a welcome guest at the café. Meanwhile back home Mrs. Bingham is mourning his departure and, with her brother and daughter, decides to search for him in the city. Sheriff Jones furnished the address of Leonore and the shabby trio call upon Leonore at the café, only to find John has returned to the mountains. They return and in the sunset a great mistake is realized, from which is born a greater love.
- Hardin, a young banker, entertains his rich friends with an elaborate lawn party. During the festivities they hear the strains of the street singers music from over the garden wall; they call the players in, a performance is given. Harding is infatuated with the youngest Italian dancer; he serves them with refreshments, attending to the girl himself. They leave. Some time later, while riding in a taxi, he sees the street dancers again performing upon the street; he mingles with the crowd watching them. He takes out a card and writes upon it. When the young girl comes with her tambourine, he drops the note into it and disappears into the crowd. The note asks for a meeting in his garden that evening. She goes to him; he makes love to her. and she takes it as an insult, but he asks her to marry him. They marry. Six months later he gives a big ball in her honor. She has ordered an exquisite gown to represent Night. He pleads with her to put on the street singer's dress. She does so. At the ball she sees him kiss a masked blonde. She plans revenge, changes her mind and rushes sobbing upstairs to her boudoir. She packs her things and leaves while the ball is still in progress. She sails to London and meets a band of street singers on the street. She joins them. Later a grand opera manager passes, and is struck by her beautiful voice. He gives her his card. The next day she goes to his office and signs the contract offered her. Four years later as a great diva she gives a concert in America. The young banker attends the concert and recognizes her. She leaves the stage trembling. Hardin comes to her dressing room and pleads for her to return. She refuses haughtily. She regrets the decision, however, and hastily dons a simple gown. Next scenes shows the evening in the garden. Hardin sits bowed upon a seat among the flowers. Louisiana comes to him. They are reconciled. She takes her wedding ring from a chain around her neck. He puts it on her finger and kisses her.
- Loco Juan, a peon wood chopper who is afflicted, is befriended by Carmencita, the flower girl, when he incurs the ill favor of Senor Dominguez at the Cantina El Toro. Juan, through his appreciation of his heroine, is inspired with the thought of love, and falling asleep in the wildwood, dreams that a kind fairy transforms him into a dashing hero. Juan, in his newly attained manhood, foils the attempt of Senor Dominguez to abduct Carmencita, who has in the meantime accepted him as her betrothed. And aided by the vision of the good fairy overpowers Dominguez and his accomplice Sanchez the bandit in a spectacular knife fight. He triumphantly carries Carmencita away. But when she, enthused by his description of the good fairy who floats in and out of his adventures at opportune moments, takes the magic bracelet from his arm, the spell is broken, and Juan awakes from his dream, still the half-witted wood chopper lying under the sun-flower in the wild-wood.
- Arnold Truesdell, a rich invalid, requests his secretary, Robert Sheridan, to summon his lawyer. Truesdell is the foster father of Marion Robertson, the child of his bosom friend who died some time ago. His happiness with the little girl was soon dissipated, for she was kidnapped by a gypsy whose enmity he had aroused. Truesdell dictates his will, leaving the estate to the missing child, and in the event of her not being found within a year the property would revert to the secretary and Margaret Frazer, the housekeeper. After making the will Truesdell passes away. Through the years following her kidnapping Marion continues to live with the gypsies. Tiring of their tyranny she runs away. Hearing the sound of a church organ she timidly enters the sacred edifice. She is accorded a cordial welcome, and is adopted by one of the women of the congregation. Meantime, the required year having nearly elapsed, the secretary and housekeeper are confident that they will inherit the estate. The minister of the little church has in the meantime fallen a prey to Marlon's charms. Hoe, one of the gypsies, who is also in love with Marion, searches for her. Noticing in a newspaper that Marion has been discovered by the attorney of the estate, the secretary determines to have her put out of the way and hires two gangsters to kidnap her. They accomplish the deed. Bound and placed in a trunk she is thrown overboard. Her continued absence causes great alarm and the minister seeks her. His search leads him to the waterfront. He overhears the kidnapper and the secretary discussing her disposal and 'phones for the police, who soon get on the secretary's trail. The trunk is found by Gypsy Joe, who is horrified to discover its contents. Gypsy Joe takes Marion back to her home, where she arrives in time to see the arch-conspirators being led away by officers of the law. Realizing then the great love which has been awakened in the minister's heart, her happiness seems complete, the only shadow being the fact that she must discourage the love of the gypsy boy.
- Harry Larrabee, a young playwright, lives in the same studio apartment house with Carolyn Vaughn, a painter of miniatures, with whom he falls in love. "The Wolf," a famous criminal, supposed to be dead, returns and communicates with his wife, a friend of Carolyn's. He forces his wife and her brother to aid him in a plot to rob Carolyn of her valuable jewels. Harry, by one of his famous "inspirations," discovers that a crime is being committed, rescues Carolyn and bears her away in a taxicab. He is himself suspected of the crime, but, undisturbed by the web of circumstance by which he is entangled, his wonderful inspirations give him the key to the conspiracy which led up to the crime. In an unusual and powerful finale the guilty parties fight among themselves and justice triumphs in an exciting climax.
- Katherine, a musical comedy star, is harassed by Billie Vandergift, a wealthy man. She spurns his false love, and while not engaged in her work, spends her time as a charity worker. While on a visit to the slums she discovers a poor girl, Mary, who has been wronged by Vandergift. She also meets Richard Carter, a millionaire charity worker, who is on one of his annual tours of inspection. He falls in love with her not knowing, however, that she is a musical comedy star. Mary's brother resolves to avenge his sister's deception. Several nights later Vandergift is entertaining at an after-theater party to Katherine and her friends. Richard Carter is also present, and as Katherine and Carter recognize each other a shot is fired through the window and Vandergift falls dead. Katherine faints and Carter carries her to her apartment. When she is revived she relates a pathetic story of her many trials and tribulations in endeavoring to lead a respectable life, and Carter asks her for her hand. The following day they are quietly and happily married
- Philip Langdon, a young physician in the East, becoming addicted to whiskey, loses his practice and friends, together with his sweetheart Marjorie. He goes West and becomes a schoolmaster. One of his pupils is Neeta, the daughter of a half-breed who secretly sells whiskey to the Indians. The pupils each bring gifts to the teacher, and, deciding she will bring something a man will enjoy, she gives him some of her father's whiskey, which he throws away. She refuses to forgive him until he consents to accept her gift. He drinks it and the old craving returns with renewed vigor. While under the influence of the whiskey he wanders in the mountains for several days. Neeta, realizing what she has done, follows and finds him. They confess their love, and next day, she returns borne, but is regarded as an outcast. Philip recovers and decides to marry Neeta, but his friend, Dick, tells him he could never hope to introduce her to his people, and that he should return to the East and marry Marjorie. Neeta overhears the conversation, and refuses to marry him. The next day, as he and Dick start out along the mountain trail, Neeta hides in the underbrush. Dick sees her, and becoming repentant, tries to attract Philip's attention to Neeta. However, she threatens to kill herself if he does. Feeling that it is Fate, he lets matters take their course, and Neeta watches as the man she loves disappears forever.
- Mina is an apprentice girl in Mme. Louise's fashionable dressmaking shop. She is a shabby half-starved creature living with her dissolute mother in a tenement. Her mother becomes mixed up with Harry Lawton, a slaver, and is arrested. James Roderick, brother of Rev. David Roderick, is really the secret head of the slaver gang. James Roderick is engaged to Miss Graham and Mina first sees him when he comes to Mme. Louise's shop with his fiancée. She secretly admires him. She meets Rev. David the night her mother is arrested but runs away from him. The secretary finds Mina's mother is his wife and Mina his child, and Rev. David says he will help him find Mina. Mina takes the place of a model who is ill and meets James Roderick. He, infatuated with her beauty, invites her to dinner at his apartment. She refuses, but later when she is discharged by Mme. Louise goes to him. A month elapses and she is set up in a beautiful apartment as James Roderick's mistress. She cares nothing for him, but knows no better. He leaves to go on his honeymoon and Mina wanders into Rev. David's church, which is next door. He preaches of the Magdalene. The girl is touched and goes home heartbroken. Leaving all her beautiful clothes, she dons her shabby ones and goes back to Vespers. After service is over Mina remains. Rev. David and secretary coming out see her. Rev. David recognizes her and she is taken home with her father. Three months elapse, and Mina assists Rev. David in references for his sermons. He avows his love for her and asks her to marry him. James, returning from his honeymoon, visits Rev. David and Mina and James are brought face to face. James tells Mina he will not tell, but Mina confesses to Rev. David she was James' mistress. She leaves, goes back to Mme. Louise's shop and gets back her position as an apprentice. An hour later Rev. David, knowing his love is stronger, goes in search for Mina, finds her and all ends happily.
- John Austin, a wealthy bachelor, whose health is poor, is told by his physician that the only hope of recovery is to go to the hill country and rough it alone. Reluctantly, Austin goes to the hills where he rents a small shack. Jess, a child of nature, and her brother, Tom, live in a shack not far from Austin's place. Austin makes friends with the little girl, and teaches her to read. As the months pass love comes, and Jess is very happy. Then Austin has an attack of illness. Tom has gone to the valley many miles away, and Jess observes that she must nurse Austin all night. In the morning, Tom returns, finds Jess' bed undisturbed, gets his rifle, and makes for Austin's shack. There Tom threatens Austin with death, telling him that he has compromised his sister. Austin replies "Don't shoot, Tom; I love Jess and will marry her if she is willing." And they are married. In the months that follow, Austin entirely regains his health due to Jess' tender care. Later, however, Austin becomes tired of his hill girl wife, and longs for his old life. One day when Jess enters the shack she finds a note from Austin saying that he has gone to the city and leaving her some money. Jess, heartbroken, fearing the ridicule of her people, runs away, is picked up by Dr. Riggs, a kindly hill physician, who has a small sanitarium. Jess finally persuades the doctor to let her stay at the sanitarium and makes him promise not to tell anyone where she is. Tom finds Austin's crumpled note on the floor of the deserted shack, has one of the men in the nearby village read it to him, and swears that he will kill Austin if the latter ever returns. Meanwhile Jess is studying to be a nurse under the guidance of Dr. Riggs. In the city as the months pass, Austin's gay life palls on him, and he longs for the quiet hills and the gentle love of Jess. Tom has been unable to find Jess. Austin finally leaves the city and again goes to the mountains. There he finds his shack deserted and goes to Tom's house to ask about Jess. Tom points a revolver at him. There is a struggle; the gun is discharged accidentally, and Tom falls to the floor, wounded and unconscious. The villagers, fearing trouble and having determined to run Austin out of the country for his desertion of Jess, arrive on the scene. One of the men is dispatched on horseback for the doctor, while the others bind Austin's arms, take him to a lonely spot where they plan to deal violently with him for shooting Tom. Jess, hearing that Tom has been shot, hurries to his shack with Dr. Riggs. Tom becomes conscious and states that the shooting was accidental, but that he wanted to kill Austin. Jess rescues Austin just in time from the threatening villagers, but she will not listen to his pleas for forgiveness. Austin goes to his lonely shack. The next day, Jess' heart softens and she joins Austin in the other shack, Tom recovers.
- Aleda Shannon, a child of nature, full of life and talent for classic dances, dances in her garden to the music from the birds. Roland Felder, her sweetheart, and her parents oppose the dances for they can't realize their beauty. Edith, sister of Aleda, returns home from a trip and a ball is given in her honor, but the parents refuse to let Aleda perform before the guests. Angered over it and urged by Edith, who has fallen in love with Roland, Aleda accepts the offer of Burke, the theatrical manager, to appear on the stage for the season. Her father disowns her. Edith sets her cap for Roland and Mr. Shannon spares no expense in aiding her to keep him in the family. She gives Roland the wrong address to Aleda and his letter never reaches her. Aleda writes Edith and mentions she would wait till Roland has written first. Later Aleda writes again and states she has received his letter but had no time to answer. As the time goes, Roland believes he cares for Edith. Three months later Aleda returns to New York weary of the stage and longing to see Roland. He reads of her in the paper and attends the performance. He goes to her dressing room, where they realize Edith's interference and she promises to quit the stage and marry him. Mr. Shannon gives his consent upon Aleda's promise never to return to the stage. She is welcomed back home, where Edith denies her charges and is jealous over losing Roland. Burke tells Aleda any time she wants to return, he will give her $2,000 a night. Aleda and Roland become engaged. Shannon's extravagance during her absence has crippled him financially, but no one else knows of it. On December 9, during a reception, Shannon receives word from the trust company of his $20,000 note being past due, allowing him to January 1 to pay it, otherwise his property will go into the receiver's hands. Aleda reads this and decides to save him, writing Burke her wish to return. He replies that he is pleased and assures her secrecy, she having requested it, and he asks her to meet him at nine that night. Edith reads this and takes Roland that night to the theater and shows him Aleda entering the office with Burke. He is heartbroken, but does not respond to Edith's love making. Shannon is shown the letter and Aleda allows herself to be falsely accused and is driven from home. She writes Roland of taking a two weeks' visit but Edith tells him the truth; that Aleda has signed up for fourteen nights, under the name of Princess Yoma to avoid recognition. Roland's father attends later and recognizes her. Roland rushes to the theater. She shows him why she was there and he reclaims her. The maid is substituted, his father is sent for and is convinced that it was not Aleda he saw. Christmas Eve, while Shannon is waiting for the crisis, he receives a letter and receipt for the $20,000 from Aleda, who has paid it. Filled with shame, he goes to her hotel and is shown the contract she made with Burke. On Christmas morning Aleda returns home and Roland's father gives her a large check for keeping her promise.
- Dick Brent, intelligent, cultured, handsome, descendant of "blue-bloods," was narrowly limited in one direction: he considered ancestry as a thing more important than aught else in the world. He felt that a human born of highly-bred parents could not help being fine in every way, while he, whose birth was humble, try as he might, could never be a gentleman. He was a bit taken back when Rose Gray, whose social position in life was not quite his, refused his offer of marriage, preferring to gratify her literary ambitions. She loved Dick, and promised to come back within a year to be his wife. So she went to the city, where she finally won her literary spurs, and returned to Dick, carrying with her the abandoned infant she had found and taken care of. But Dick, overcome by his precious pride, scented something "irregular" in the adoption of Rose's ward, and couldn't bring himself to the promised alliance. Broken hearted, Rose returned to the city, there to bury herself again in her work. Dick later married Helen Morgan, daughter of the banker, John Morgan. In the city, success follows success in Rose's literary endeavors. Robert, the waif she adopted, fell into bad company, however, and drifted from the straight and narrow path. It was in the home of Dick Brent and his wife he was finally caught in an attempt at burglary. It is later proved that Robert is the son of the woman whom he tried to rob.
- Robert Maxwell, an ambitious real estate broker, and Wilson Howard, a young physician, are friends. Both are in love with Alice Duncan, who chooses Robert. Wilson, dejected, decides to accept an offer to assist an old physician on a lepers' island. Robert and Alice are married. Robert, in the meantime, has accumulated great wealth and is so eager to increase it that he has no time for his wife and son. The son is taken ill and dies, and Alice is heartbroken over the loss and also the seeming indifference of her husband. Charlotte, an adventuress, and her lover-accomplice, Duval, plan to "get" Robert, who is an easy victim. He neglects his wife and his home. His wife receives a box of flowers which were intended for the adventuress, and she decides to leave him. She boards a steamer bound for the Orient, and leaves no trace of her whereabouts. During the voyage the vessel on which she is comes into the path of a typhoon and is wrecked. Alice and three men escape on a raft which brings them to the shore of the lepers' island. Wilson is amazed when he comes to look after his charges to find that the unconscious woman is Alice, the one he loves. A few days later Robert reads an account of the wreck in the paper, and believes his wife dead. He then realizes his love for her and their son. Wilson nurses Alice back to health in Dr. Myers' home, where they discover their love for each other, but fate brings Robert, who is now a physical wreck, to the same island, where he is discovered by Wilson. Wilson realizes that Robert stands in the way of the happiness which he and Alice has dreamed and talked of, but does his best to bring him back to health. Despite the care of Wilson and Dr. Myers, Robert dies. Wilson tells Alice of the death of her husband. They both realize that nothing now stands between them, and they plan to get married.
- Tobias Meeker, an accountant who has been in the employ of the state for years, is dying at his home. Meekers' daughter, Arline, is a stenographer in the governor's office. Ray Sanger, star reporter of "The Globe," on his way to see his sweetheart, Arline, notices the governor of the state, Henry Croft, and his secretary, Mark Ralston, entering the Meeker cottage. Scenting a news story, Sanger remains outside, watching. Within the cottage Governor Croft, through a threat of discharging Arline, persuades the dying Meeker to write and sign a fake confession that Malcolm Rush, Croft's opponent for governor, tried to bribe Meeker to change state records. Ralston signs the confession as witness. Arline overhears the plot. When the governor and Ralston leave, Arline tells Sanger of the scheme, while Meeker passes away. Sanger at once warns his friend, Rush, of the conspiracy. Governor Croft controls the police and the District Attorney, so that it is impossible to seek relief through the law. Sanger and Rush realize that if the fake confession is published the next morning it will be impossible to counteract it, as the following day is election day. At the governor's office, Croft orders his secretary to make an appointment with the newspaper men for the next morning, then locks the confession in the safe after having a number of copies made. That night a masked man enters the governor's office and takes a paper from the safe. He wears a pair of white gloves so that he will leave no fingerprints. The stranger safely climbs out of the window, but as he is standing taking off his gloves he is seen by the watchman. A chase follows, during which the pursued drops the gloves. The watchman loses the trail at the rear entrance to the Hotel Mitchell. Convinced that the prowler has done no harm the watchman forgets about the incident, although he keeps the gloves, which show the initials "M.R." within the wrist. Next morning Sanger and other newspapermen meet the governor. They are given copies of the confession, but cannot publish it until they have seen the original. The governor discovers the original missing. The night watchman tells his story and shows the white gloves to the governor. The governor sees the initials, realizes that they fit Ralston and that the latter lives at the Hotel Mitchell. Governor Croft accuses Ralston of being a traitor and attacks him. Sanger separates the two men, reminding the governor that Rush's initials also read "M.R." Rushing to the office of the chief of police. Croft has officers sent to search Ralston's rooms at the hotel and Rush's office. They find nothing. The chief and the governor go to the latter's office where Ralston is searched and put through a third degree, but in vain. Croft suggests that Ralston be locked up until after the election, reminding Ralston that if he says anything of the obtaining of the fake confession, he (Ralston) will face prison as an accomplice. Ralston is arrested, but manages to escape. He hurries to Sanger's room and confronts the latter, saying: "Look here, Sanger, you borrowed those white gloves of mine last week." Sanger laughs, tells him to forget the gloves, and working on Ralston's spite against the governor, persuades him to write a statement implicating the governor in the fake confession, Sanger promising to obtain immunity for Ralston in case Rush wins the election. Election day comes, and the Croft men resort to "repeater" methods at the polls Many bitter fights result, but in spite of these tactics, Rush is elected. On inauguration day, Sanger confronts the retiring governor in his office in company with Ralston. Sanger asks Croft to give him an envelope labeled "Petition from Anti-Vice Society." Sanger tears open the envelope and reveals the Meeker confession. The morning after the robbery Sanger, in the governor's office with other newspapermen, had dropped this envelope on the floor while the governor was frantically searching the safe. Sanger had picked up this envelope and handed it to the governor, saying: "You dropped this out of that bunch of papers." Croft had glanced at the inscription on the envelope, then tossed it into the safe. Sanger, who was the burglar, had figured that this would be the safest place for the confession, so that he might have it later to convict Croft. It comes out at this point that Sanger is the new chief of police and his first duty is to arrest Croft on a charge of conspiracy. Sanger also introduces Arline as his future wife.
- Ardently courted by two wealthy young men, Banker Alden's daughter, Stacia, is equally fond of both and uses her woman's wit to treat them alike. At cotillions they both receive her favors and when both insist upon serving her with refreshments, she even pretends to want a double portion. But the time comes when she is pressed for a definite answer, and when her friends laughingly suggest that Bob and Jack mount their favorite horses and race for her hand, she agrees to accept the winner. The event takes place in the presence of a gay company and Bob rides home first amid the loud cheers of the onlookers. Stacia accepts his engagement ring and the fact that Jack has met with an accident, receiving a bad fall from his horse, is not learned until the engagement is announced. Convalescent, Jack calls upon Stacia, but she refuses to change her decision and causes a serious quarrel between the two men. On a beautiful moonlight night the wedding takes place. Jack seeks a last look at Stacia by climbing a high wall and hiding in the garden during the wedding celebration. Stacia sees him and seeks to comfort him by allowing him to take her little lace handkerchief to keep as a token of everlasting friendship. The handkerchief is covered with blood from a cut which Jack has unconsciously received in his hand while climbing the wall and he leaves a trail of blood as he secretly leaves the garden. When the guests have all departed Stacia playfully runs away from her husband and hides in a closet which is entered by means of a panel opened by a secret spring. He is unable to find her and she discovers too late that the spring has broken and she is doomed to die a horrible death. Almost insane. Bob directs the suspicions of the police to Jack, who finds himself tangled in a web of circumstantial evidence which causes him to be sentenced to life imprisonment. Five years later finds Jack employed in the hospital of the penitentiary as an assistant physician. A patient dies and is placed in a canvas bag in the morgue awaiting burial. Jack steals the key of the morgue, and hiding the corpse, sews himself into the canvas bag in its stead, and is thrown into the sea where he succeeds in cutting his way out of the sack, and reaching a small fishing village, he becomes a respected member of the community and falls in love with a fisherman's beautiful daughter, thus making a bitter enemy of a rival for the girl's affections. The discovery of Jack's escape by the prison authorities leads to a determined effort on the part of the police to locate him and he is found just as he has succeeded in winning the love of the girl and the consent of her father, whose life he saves by a splendid act of daring. In the meantime Bob has lived a sad and lonely existence in the mansion in which his bride of a few hours was so mysteriously lost to him. His mind is affected by his brooding and Stacia appears to him in spirit form striving in vain to tell him of her fatal accident and Jack's unjust punishment. As the time for Jack's capture by the police arrives, her spirit becomes more active and as Bob stumbles blindly in pursuit of it through the gloomy halls of the mansion, he falls against the door of the secret closet and the skeleton of his unhappy girl-wife, still wearing the bridal raiment, is exposed to his view. Jack's escape to the mountains, his capture by the police and his return to prison are quickly followed by his complete vindication through the efforts of the unhappy Bob, and his marriage to the fisherman's beautiful daughter marks the beginning of a happy life.
- Timothy Bryan, a successful physician, is guilty of infidelity after his marriage. His wife takes him to task for his indiscretions, and they quarrel. It seems to them absurd to keep up their pretense of happiness, and they decide to separate. The doctor, after settling almost his entire fortune on his wife, takes their little girl with him, leaving his wife with their young son. Fortune frowns on the doctor after this, and he is forced to give up even his medical apparatus because of his inability to meet his bills. He is forced to do physical labor to support himself and his daughter. In the meanwhile, Mrs. Bryan's little boy grows lonesome for his father and sister and calls incessantly for them. Absorbed one day in his chase after a balloon, he crawls off the edge of the roof, and in the fall breaks his leg. He is taken by his mother to recuperate in the country. While resting in an invalid's chair on his lawn he is accosted by a charming little girl, with whom he strikes up quite a friendship. When the lad is able to walk on crutches, the two have a frolic that results in the lad again hurting his leg. At home, in bed, he asks for his playmate, and will be humored by nothing else. His mother, frantic, goes to the girl's house. On the sidewalk outside Bryan's shack, she meets her husband, and finds that the charming little girl is her daughter. Their long estrangement has made the parents forget their former grievances, and they know in that first look how deep is their love. The little fellow gets back his "playmate," under whose tender care he soon recovers.
- The Brute runs a liquor joint on the rim of the desert. He also runs everyone who enters there and abuses The Woman. One day, on his way across the desert, the Man happens in. He joins the crowd in a game of draw poker and cleans up. The Brute watches, and then sits in, hoping to frighten the Man into losing his nerve. But the Man's nerve is the product of many a year's tempering, and he sits tight. The Brute loses everything, when suddenly the Man catches sight of the Woman. He offers to stake his all on her and they play. The Man has four of a kind. The Brute has a gun. But he's not quick enough on the draw, and the Man "covers" him as he backs out with the Woman. Out into the night they go on their way across the desert, the Woman trudging silently beside her new master. They pitch camp for the night. The Brute has followed, maddened to fury at having been beaten. He attacks the Man as the latter lies sleeping and only leaves off when he feels assured his score is settled. He wanders off in search of the Woman, but cannot find her. On and on wanders the Brute, and when day breaks and the sun comes up in all its scorching white heat he knows he is lost in the desert. His deranged mind pictures a cool stream in the hot sands and he starts for it with hands outstretched. He dips his hands into the smiling waters and is about to bathe his swollen tongue when the mirage fades, and through his eager fingers there flows naught but sand. The Woman nurses the Man back to health, and learns quickly the difference between Force and Strength.
- Blind to the finer things of life, Dave Fenton holds sway as the leader of the gang. His companion, Blanche, a shop girl, chafes under Dave's inability to make a big haul. She urges him into a further life of degradation. Nellie, an invalid, confined to a wheelchair, sells newspapers to add to the fund she and her mother are saving for the day when they can go to the country. Dave does her a slight service from which springs an intimate friendship. One night Slinky Joe, one of Dave's gangsters, hears Nell and her mother counting over their little horde of money. He reports to the gang and they plan a raid. Led by Dave they find the hidden savings, but when Dave discovers that it is Nell he is robbing he turns against his companions and after a fight, drives them from the place. Nell makes him see to what end his present mode of life is leading to and he leaves the gang and finds honest work. Blanche, realizing that through Nell she has lost Dave, plans to get even. Slinky tells her of the saving and this Blanche steals. Nell is prostrated over the loss and Dave, believing that some of the gang are responsible, assures Nell that he will get her savings for her. From Slinky he forces a confession that Blanche is the guilty one. He goes to Blanche's room and finds her gone, she having left town after her theft. Dave is ashamed to admit to Nell that he has failed and when Clancy, a ward heeler, offers him a chance to make some easy money, he takes it sending the money to Nell as if it were her money that he recovered. Nell learns of his intended sacrifice for her. Knowing that should he be allowed to go through with his plans for Clancy he will be lost to her, Nell returns the money to Clancy. Dave's regeneration is complete through the discovery of Nell's great love. So great has it proved, in fact, that the moment Nell thought Dave was in danger her love triumphed over her weakness and she walked unaided. Blanche repents of her act and returns the stolen money. She is forgiven and finds her regeneration in the arms of her country lover. With murk of the city far behind Nell and Dave work midst the flowers whither Nell's dream has led them.
- Sylvia Smalley is the secretary of Charles Edmay, a distinguished blind playwright. Leroux, a producer, is eager to buy the play that Edmay has just completed, but the playwright is reluctant to sell. Leroux sends Alice Morgan to steal the script while he abducts Edmay and Sylvia. While Edmay is detained in the wine cellar, Leroux exercises his hypnotic powers over Sylvia, extracting a dictation of the entire play from her. Discovering that in a hypnotic state Sylvia has great dramatic powers, Leroux successfully casts her in the play's lead. Her effort is too great, however, and she succumbs to exhaustion. Leroux awakens her from her trance, and, realizing what has happened, Sylvia reproaches him so harshly that he consents to release Edmay from the cellar. Leroux then plans a dramatic end to his life by entombing himself alive. At that moment, Sylvia awakens and realizes that the whole incident had been a dream triggered by nervous exhaustion.
- A young married woman, happy in her husband's love, hears gossip reflecting on bis fidelity. The gossip is a foul conception of an unclean mind, but so insidious is it that it enters her heart and slays her Faith before she is aware. Deeper and deeper it drives her into the maze of Disbelief, until she is induced to spy on him and his suspected stenographer. In her surreptitious errand she is discovered in a compromising, though innocent position in another man's office, and again Scandal, that "snowball of Society," is tossed on its endless journey by the willing hand of Gossip. She is named as co-respondent in a divorce suit, and when he hears of it, the husband himself feels the hand of Doubt clasp its icy fingers about his heart. Doubt steals away his Reason, he slays the innocent man, and must look forever on the world through the cold bars of a murderer's cell. His wife must live always in the shadow of her dark Doubt and the good name of his stenographer is tarnished by the slimy tongue of Scandal. Who Pays?
- At an early age Rose O'Brien loses her mother, which leaves her without a relative in the world. She goes to live with some neighbors, during which time a typical Fagan discovers her plight, and through promises of pretty dresses, induces her to steal. She is arrested, found guilty, and placed in the charge of a probation officer. This officer finds a good position for her in a wealthy family. The son later falls in love with her. They are secretly married, and the following day Rose finds another woman in her husband's arms. Not knowing that he merely picked up the woman from a faint, Rose leaves her husband, and being a good dancer goes to the city, where she secures an engagement in a theatrical company. In the meantime, her husband, who loves her and who does not understand her flight, is taken abroad for his health, and rapidly declines. At the end of the year, however, he returns home, and a dinner is given in his honor. Rose, now a famous dancer, is engaged to dance at the dinner, where she and her husband are mutually surprised in their recognition. Reconciliation follows, and everything ends happily.
- Jack Banks and Tex Reeves are friendly rivals for the hand of Bess Harper, daughter of a rancher and horse dealer. Jack is line rider on an outlying ranch. Tex is Harper's corral boss. Harper favors Tex's attentions to his daughter, regarding Jack a drunken loafer. Jack protects a half-breed from a severe beating at the hands of Tex, during a dispute over a poker hand. The same evening in a drunken stupor, he loans his new boots to Tex to attend a dance. Tex, while saddling his horse, accidentally steps in the mud by the water trough, leaving a distinct impression of Jack's boot heels, which later gets that gentleman in bad. The following morning Jack's horse, after an impatient night of pawing at the hitch rail, enters the saloon, and by pulling off Jack's hat, dumping his whiskey bottle over, coaxes his master out and kneels for him to mount. As he is about to ride away, the stage drives up. He waits for the mail, receives a letter from his mother, saying she is in poor health and in need of a little money. Ashamed of his prodigality and too proud to borrow from his friends, he sells his prize horse to Harper, and sends the proceeds home. That night the horse breaks out of Harper's corral and beats it for Jack's lonely cabin. Tex, aroused at the noise, rushes into the empty corral. The half-breed, who has been laying there for Tex, seeing an opportunity in the deserted corral for vengeance, takes a shot at Tex. Suspicion naturally points to Jack. Jack is captured and jailed. Tex slowly recovers, but the wound in his head has clouded his memory. The half-breed, hearing of Jack's capture, induces Bess to help plan his escape. They accomplish a clever stunt, and Jack stays hidden in the back country for a month. Bess, at her father's instigation, has become engaged to Tex. Jack, while rustling grub one day, wanders too far from his hiding place, and is recaptured after a running fight by one of the deputies. The same day the mail brings a letter from the half-breed in Australia, confessing to the shooting of Tex. Later Tex recovers his memory, and entirely clears Jack of the attempted murder and horse stealing. Later, seeing Bess' preference, he nobly gives up the girl to Jack, after exacting a promise from his rival to "cut out all booze." Harper relents and turns Jack's horse over to him, resplendent in a new lady's silver-mounted saddle, remarking, "Wedding present, Jack, but he's still in my family."
- Rich young playboy Gregory Kirkland reads a newspaper story about a daring robbery, and bets his friends that he can steal a famous diamond tiara, The Sultana, from its designer and then secretly return it without being caught. Robert Sautrelle, who designed the tiara, visits Kirkland's home, and Gregory does indeed steal it. However, he gets cold feet before he returns it and convinces a woman he knows, Virginia Lowndes, to return it. Unfortunately, things don't work out exactly as Gregory had planned.
- The cruel skipper of the Hell Ship loses his crew and his sight.
- Florence Boyd, of the Secret Service, saves a boy from drowning. Word reaches the boy's parents that he has drowned; they rush to the beach, and delighted at Florence having saved the child's life insist upon her accompanying them home. It is a beautiful house but with a strange atmosphere. The supposed father lacks affection and is surrounded by shrewd looking assistants. Florence reports the incident to the Secret Service and is advised that the man (Watterson), is suspected of being a spy. Watterson is struck by Florence's beauty and advertises for a governess believing she might fall into the trap. The superintendent of the Secret Service, whose wife left him six years before, taking with her their only child, is in love with Florence, but he will not marry until he knows his wife is dead. He tells Florence to accept the position as governess. She is received with great pomp and taken into Watterson's private office, where they are disturbed by Watterson's being called out of the room. She takes advantage of the opportunity to search his desk. This was Watterson's ruse. He supposed she was a detective and informs her that she is a prisoner and that he can find use for her beauty and cleverness. Her only means of being saved is to get word to the superintendent but every door is locked and guarded. Finally, the little boy she saved takes her message through a secret passageway which he innocently discovered, to the telegraph office. Help arrives, and examination of the house brings to light the missing wife of the superintendent who avenges betrayal on the man who would betray Florence and in so doing meets her death and makes possible the superintendent's marriage to Florence.
- To remove forever anything that will remind him of his dream of happiness that was shattered by his wife's infidelity, Stanley sends his infant daughter Nan to be cared for by a woman named Hopkins. He sends money regularly for her support but never visits her. Nan is treated as a slave and never receives any of the money intended for her. Her first real happiness comes in the sincere love of young reporter Hal. Fearing to lose her to him, Mrs. Hopkins tells her she has mulatto blood in her veins. Crushed by the lie, Nan flees from the only home she has ever known. Ignorant of the world, she is carried unknowingly by the tide of events into what is termed a matrimonial agency but is actually something far worse. Nan ends up placed at auction and her own father bids for her against other millionaires. As he outbids them all, Hal, who has traced her, enters, just in time to reveal to the father that Nan is his own daughter.
- George Lloyd, land owner, orders the fishermen in a coast village to vacate the property. Lloyd quarrels with his son Fred, an art student, and the latter leaves home and embarks on a steamer, from which he falls and is rescued by a fisherman known as Captain Jack. Fred's memory is lost by the fall. In the village he woos Nan, a fisher girl, thereby incurring the enmity of Joe Porter. Nan accepts Fred's love. Fred's father wages war on the fisherman. A battle over possession of the land takes place, and in the fight Porter shoots Fred in the back. Nan nurses Fred to recovery, and they are married, Fred still unaware of his identity. Porter becomes a desperado, and joins a gang of smugglers. Fred paints a picture of Nan, and an artist takes the portrait to a city, where it wins high praise. The painting is purchased by Blanche Dexter a former fiancée of Fred, and she, with Fred's mother, visit the fishing village to see the man who painted the portrait. Blanche and Fred's mother see Fred, and the sight of his parent restores Fred's memory. Porter about this time abducts Nan in a boat but Fred rescues her. His mother pleads with him to return home. Fred learns that his father is dead and that he has inherited the estate. Blanche, meanwhile, falls under the wiles of Porter, and meets him secretly. Fred leaves his wife, Nan, their baby having died and goes home with his mother. Fred indulges himself at cafés and forgets Nan, who is pining away in the village. Porter follows Blanche to the city, but later he returns to Nan and asks her to accept his love. She spurns him and, believing Fred lost to her forever, she rows a boat far out to sea and fails to return. Fred sees a vision of Nan, and prepares to return to her. He goes to the village and learns that Nan's body was washed ashore. He finds her grave beside the place where their child was buried, the two crosses bearing silent witness to the entanglements in the web of fate.
- Stage-struck Georgianna Lane leaves her country home for the bright lights of the city. Once there, however, she fails miserably and contemplates suicide. Meanwhile, Hope Van Alen, the wife of wealthy Anthony Van Alen, is suffering from drug addiction and decides to enter Dr. Pope's sanitarium for a cure. Coincidence brings the couple into contact with Georgianna, who bears a striking resemblance to Hope. To deceive their friends in Hope's absence, the Van Alens enlist Georgianna's acting abilities in impersonating Hope. The switch is made and Georgianna performs so well that Anthony's nephew Gerald Fownes finds himself falling in love with her. When the real hope suddenly returns, cured, Gerald is bewildered. Explanations are made and Gerald joins Georgianna, who has contentedly returned to her country home.
- Athalie Manners believes in reincarnation and Twin Souls. Woodford Harding, the Beau Brummel of the town, Bad Lonie, a gunman, and Abdul Hamit all look identically alike. She runs into Bad Lonie while doing settlement work and is carried, a prisoner, to a vacant house. Later, Harding rescues her from a fire in the house. inasmuch as she has recognized Bad Louie's type as the Twin Soul, she is quite confused but later marries Harding. Later, in Cairo, she meets Abdul Hamid and is convinced he is the man. She runs away with him, but when she regrets the act and tries to return to her husband, he forcibly abducts her. Later she escapes. Of course there is the fight between Hamid and her husband and she returns to Harding quite cured.
- Jenny, the sweetheart of Joe Manley, a fisherman, finds a weeping woman on the sands and brings her home. A child is born, and Jenny, who has promised not to reveal the woman's presence, is placed in a compromising position when her sweetheart returns. The woman flees and meets a man, who takes her to a neighboring beach resort. Joe follows, believing the woman is Jenny, and on discovering his mistake forces the man to go with him to marry Jenny. The woman meets her husband, from whom she is estranged, and takes him to see their child. Reconciliation takes place after the man and Jenny's paralyzed father are burned to death in a fire caused by the paralytic as an act of vengeance.