Intrigue

By winning a lawsuit against the Traction Company, Jim Rodgers, a country lawyer, attracts the attention of Ford, a city attorney defending the suit, who persuades Jim to turn to a city practice assuring him he will become famous. Jim's sweetheart, Helen Wade, promises to wait for him, but during his absence another young man, Tom Carter, wins her love not knowing she was betrothed, and when Jim returns he arrives just as the happy pair are leaving the church as man and wife. Jim's whole life is ruined so far as love and women are concerned. Devoting all his efforts to his practice, Jim quickly mounts the ladder of success, becoming a judge of the Criminal Court and is called on to try Tom Carter on a charge of assault to kill. Tom is found guilty and Helen, knowing that Jim can sentence her husband to from one to twenty years, calls on the judge asking that he have pity and make the sentence only one year. Jim asks her why he should do so when she had not hesitated to give Jim a life sentence. He sends her away telling her she will hear his decision the next day in court. Tom is sentenced to twenty years but no sooner has the sentence been pronounced than Jim repents. His decision preys on his mind and the vision of Tom in prison is always before him, until he prays for a way to undo what he has done. Two years later he becomes a candidate for governor with his whole heart set on winning, thereby securing the power to pardon Tom. Helen, thinking that Jim is striving for the governorship only, vows that he shall not be elected, even if she has to disgrace herself by circulating reports that will not only kill his chances but ruin his reputation as well. Election day when the other candidates seem certain of winning, Helen informs him that she is the one who has worked for his defeat. Astounded Jim informs her of his reasons for wanting to win. Helen tries to retract her statements as the returns come in they show that Jim has won. As governor, Jim pardons Tom and the husband and wife are reunited.—Moving Picture World synopsis