- Two soldiers are in love with the same woman. Before they go off to war, she marries one of them, who turns out to be a coward in battle. The other soldier, believing that his rival has been killed, takes it upon himself to protect the man's reputation, only to find out that he isn't dead after all.—frankfob2@yahoo.com
- It is April of 1861. Wade Clayton, a lawyer in Ohio, is reading the President's call for volunteers. Poole, who takes care of his office, and his partner are reading too. Wade sees Laura Sheldon. He escorts her home. Her mother favors wealthy George Baring. Laura does not know which of the two she prefers. Wade is on his way to try his first big case. He is puzzled when Laura asks him not to go, but she will not explain. When he returns, ten days later, he finds that she has been married to Baring. Wade raises a company, and many of his friends join it, including Poole. George Baring asks if she wishes him to go, and she says yes. Through Wade's influence he is made an officer. But he finds that he cannot recover from the shock of his first battle. He is nervous and finally confesses to Wade that he is afraid of being afraid. Wade tells him to brace up. At the battle of Nashville, George entirely loses his nerve. He cowers in a ditch, while his men, left without a leader, falter and almost break. Wade rallies the men, and wins the charge. Poole has seen Baring's cowardice. He tells him that if he does not face the music he will shoot him. Baring tries to run away and Poole halts him with a bullet. Wade makes him promise never to tell Laura. Wade is invalided home. He goes to Laura and tells her his version of Baring's death. Laura's child, Victor, is taught to regard his father as his greatest hero. When peace comes, the men of the 66th who are left, come home. Poole is invited to Laura's, and tries to tell her the real story of Baring's death, but Wade will not permit it. He is devoted to Laura, but she will not marry him, lest Victor will not be true to his father's memory. Wade makes his home with Poole, who takes care of him. He sees Laura every day. After seven years. Laura practically proposes to Wade herself, and he is more than delighted. George Baring comes to Wade's home where he tells him that Poole made a bad job of his killing. Baring asks him about his boy. Wade tells him the child's ideal is bravery. Baring in his home knows he must go back to the grave, but this time to a real one. Wade, hearing this, hands him a revolver, but George draws away from it. Laura's servant is at Wade's, sees George, and immediately rushes home to tell Laura. She hurries across the street, but Wade keeps her out of the room until George has gone into an adjoining room. He tells George that he must tell Laura everything. Laura, without being told, understands all. While they talk a shot is heard; Wade finds George dead. He orders Poole to bury him. Wade returns to Laura to tell her that it was only a ghost of fear, a spirit of the storm, that George died upon the battlefield. And looking at him with love, she asks him to take her to their home.
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