Intrigue

Maurie Monnier, a poor young American sculptor in Paris, marries Clarice, a gold-digging model who later abandons him. When Maurie's wealthy father dies, Maurie returns to the U.S., but his mother and brother will have nothing to do with him because of his poverty. At the end of his rope, he's about to kill himself when he meets Hope, a beautiful young girl who inspires him. Just when things are looking up for Maurie and his new love Hope, who should show up but his gold-digging wife Clarice.—frankfob2@yahoo.com

Pierre Monnier and his wife live in New York with their two sons, Henry and Maurie. When they divorce, they each take one of the sons. Maurie goes with his father to Paris and studies art. Henry stays with his mother. Maurie eventually marries his Parisian model, Clarice. The boys' father dies, and Clarice leaves Maurie to run away with an army officer. Maurie comes to America to look for his brother and mother. They have no use for him because he is poor. Ready to commit suicide, Maurie meets a young girl named Hope who takes him to her home to give him food and comfort. Hope poses for Maurie and he creates a statue of her, which he names "Blind Youth." The statue brings Maurie fame and fortune. Meanwhile, Henry is seeing two women, but loses both. Having heard of Maurie's fame, Clarice comes to America, where she meets Henry. He does not realize who she is. Maurie learns that Henry has taken a fancy to Clarice and aims to save him. Maurie invites Clarice to his home, and tells his brother to listen behind a door. When Clarice embraces Maurie, Hope appears on the scene. Maurie then confesses to Hope that he cannot marry her, because Clarice is his wife. But Clarice becomes so impressed with Hope's innocence that she confesses she was the army officer's wife before she married Maurie; thus, their marriage was never legal. The officer later died after Clarice ran off with him. Now Maurie is free to marry Hope.—scsu1975