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- Poor little Binks is now an actor, and loves the leading lady, who coquettishly encourages him, while she really adores Maurice Mt. Cheasington, the handsome leading man. One night while Binks is dressed as a convict and behind prison bars, he sees the leading lady and the accursed Maurice Mt. Cheasington embracing off the stage. This maddens him and he drops his character and shakes his fist at them. The manager gives him a kick, and Binks, jumping with pain, knocks down the scenery on the leading man's head and they have a rough and tumble fight with the fire buckets and everything else that they can seize. Binks ends the combat by knocking the matinee idol into the base drum. He is senseless, and Binks, thinking he has killed him, runs from the theater followed by the actors in costume and the audience. He is dressed as a convict and the number of the pursuers grow. He dodges them and they give up the chase. A runaway convict is nearby and old Skeggins, the village miser, has covetously wished for the reward. He spies the convict stripes of Binks in the woods, and calling two husky farm hands, he superintends the capture of Binks, and as the train does not go until morning, they lock him in the ice house. The next day he is taken out, rather stiff, and carried to the depot, where the manager recognizes him. Binks is restored and thrashes his captors and gets on the train and leaves with the company.
- After a prologue which shows several aerial views of the Acropolis, the story begins. The friendship of Damon, the senator, and Pythias, the soldier, is famous in Ancient Syracuse. Because the general Dionysius is infatuated with Calanthe, Pythias' sweetheart, he sends the soldier to fight the Carthaginians at the Battle of Agrigentum. Pythias returns in triumph, and then angers Dionysius even further when he defeats Aristle, the general's favorite, in a chariot race. During the wedding ceremony for Pythias and Calanthe, Dionysius has himself proclaimed sovereign while Damon is absent from the Senate. Shocked, Damon attempts to assassinate Dionysius, but he fails and is sentenced to death. In order for Damon to say goodbye to his wife and son, Pythias leaves Calanthe and takes his friend's place in prison, offering to die in Damon's place if he does not return. Despite several tests of the strength of their friendship, they remain loyal to each other and so impress Dionysius that he allows them both Free.
- Grace and Francis are engaged and, like most engaged couples, are most sensitive regarding their own tender feelings. They go to an island to spend their holiday. Starting out early of a morning the boy, Francis, wanders down the shore alone. He has a mild flirtation with one of the summer girls who shows him some beautifully-colored shells she has picked up on the shore. Grace sees Francis talking to the strange young woman and is piqued. From a distance it appears as if Francis has his arm around the young woman and Grace stalks pettishly away from the disagreeable sight, determined never to speak to Francis again. After a few moments spent in deep thought on the hotel piazza, however, Grace decides to carry out a little plot she has evolved. Just for spite she makes the acquaintance of a handsome revenue officer in a splendid uniform. Together they stroll along the beach among the rocks with Francis, jealously, following close behind. When Grace sees that Francis has ceased to watch her little flirtation, however, she quickly lets the revenue officer go his own way, and the latter, who thinks that he is making excellent progress with her, is obviously much astonished at her quick change of front. Later Grace witnesses an assault made upon another revenue officer by a smuggler gang operating on the island. Although she thinks herself unobserved, one of the smugglers comes up behind Grace as she stands watching the cowardly assault upon the revenue officer, and binds and gags her. Fearing that she will tell on them the smugglers abduct the girl and take her, together with the unconscious revenue officer, on board their yacht. An exciting chase follows between other revenue officers and the smugglers. The revenue officers sees the smugglers hurrying away in their fast motorboat and commandeer another high-power boat to follow them. At the point of a revolver they compel the owners of the boat to give chase to the smugglers. Meanwhile the leader of the band of smugglers has imprisoned Grace in the cabin of his boat. His advances are odious and Grace struggles desperately with him as he attempts to force his attentions upon her. By brute strength the smuggler captain beats down her defense and forces Grace to her knees. During this exciting scene in the cabin Francis and the revenue officers are hurrying to Grace's aid. Mile after mile is reeled off and the boat which the revenue officers have commandeered steadily continues to gain. Just when the smuggler's craft is within pistol shot the revenue officers discover that their supply of gasoline is running low. Before they can fill the tank their boat falls rapidly astern. Grace, in her struggle with the smuggler, sees the approach of the revenue officers' motorboat and is dismayed when it suddenly begins to fall rapidly behind. Seeing a revolver in the cabin she takes advantage of the smuggler's absence to discharge the one remaining bullet in the weapon into the yacht's engine, effectually disabling it. The revenue officers meanwhile fill their gasoline tank again and overhaul the smugglers' power yacht just as the smuggler captain again is attempting to kiss Grace in the tiny cabin of the smuggling craft. A running fight between the smugglers and the revenue men follows ending in the capture of the smugglers. Grace and Francis meet again on the deck of the smugglers' yacht and banish their misunderstanding in a kiss.
- The parallel stories of a modern preacher and a medieval monk, Gabriel the Ascetic, who is killed by an ignorant mob for making a nude statue representing Truth, which is also represented by a ghostly naked girl who flits throughout the film.
- In a fine residence on the avenue, lives a wealthy man and his wife. They have a little daughter who is an invalid. The doctor on leaving, sees the Italian lingering outside the house and asks him his business, whereupon Beppo shows his violin and tells the doctor of his little friend and the happy times they spent together. The doctor tells him his little friend is sinking fast and seems to miss something. Beppo looks at his violin and brightens. He begins to play. The child hears and the mother and father are startled. The child's face brightens at once with joy. She calls for Beppo and sends her father to bring him in. Beppo plays again and again the tunes which have been the child's delight. The doctor notes a change in the child's condition and tells the distressed parents that their daughter will recover.
- The Captain leaves the south seas and sails his whaling ship into the port town of Seven Isles Bay. There he falls in love with Margaret, one of a set of twins. Susette is identical to her sister, except for a small scar on the forehead. The mother of the girl opposes the skipper's courtship because he is a Protestant. Margaret is determined to elope with the skipper but the plan is overheard by Susette who informs her mother; Margaret is locked in her room. Susette herself keeps the tryst and goes aboard the ship. The deception is found out in the morning and the skipper takes her back to her mother. During the night however, Margaret, through grief and shock, has died. The skipper, on approaching town, hears the tolling of the funeral bell and is overcome with grief. The legend states that even to this day a phantom ship, a ghost of the skipper's "Breeze", is sometimes seen far out at sea, but on approach of the ship to the shore, it fades into the mist.
- Spider Dale, a crook, while passing a factory sees Anne, one of the girls employed there, insulted by a foreman. He assists her out of her difficulty and wins her friendship. A moment later he sees approaching Officer Weldon, plain clothesman, and instinctively beats a hasty retreat. Officer Weldon is in love with the little factory girl, who has been protected from insult by Spider Dale, and he is at this time coming to meet her. Later Weldon receives orders from his chief to round up Spider Dale's gang, including Spider Dale himself, who is much wanted. Spider Dale and his fellow crooks plan and execute a raid upon a safe. Weldon and his men besiege the gang's headquarters, but the crooks escape. Spider is wounded in the arm. He stops for a moment in the doorway of a cheap apartment house and to his surprise, meets Anne. She sees that he is wounded and, without asking questions, invites him up to her room in order that she may dress his wounds. Before pursuing the chase further, Officer Weldon decides to call upon his sweetheart. She conceals Spider. Weldon enters and is not long in discovering blood stains. He questions the girl, but she refuses to answer. He leaves, but returns later with an officer. This time they catch Spider and the girl together. Weldon would have allowed Spider to escape when he hears his sweetheart's story, but the one great obstacle is, that with the reward offered for Dale, he and the girl had planned to be married. The arrival of his fellow officers cuts short his thoughts and he is obliged to turn the crook over for arrest. Anne realizes her sweetheart's position in the matter and forgives him. They are happily married, and upon Spider's release, Weldon hunts him out and invites him home to supper.
- Charles Lander's daughter marries far below her station in life. Her husband, a crook, is arrested and sent to prison. Shortly after the birth of her baby, she dies, sending the child to her parents to be raised. Anita grows up to be the apple of her grandfather's eye and the darling of society. Paul Reeves, a famous western writer, meets her and they are mutually attracted to each other. He cares nothing for the frivolous pleasures of society and predicts that life in the great West can be beyond the understanding of social butterflies. The next day, Paul leaves for the West. Landers receives a letter from the foreman of his ranch, telling him of the increased cattle rustling. He goes West, taking Anita with him. Out West, Anita and Paul meet up again. After leaving the cowboy-writer Anita observes a couple of cattle thieves at work and is captured by them. Reeves, single-handed, attacks the rustlers in their den but is overpowered. The arrival of the ranch men saves him and Anita. The leader of the rustlers, who is later recognized by Landers as Anita's long-lost criminal father, is killed in the fight. Later Paul and Anita are married.
- Hal Farrel, a clean-minded young man, is keeping bachelor apartments with Dick Carew, who "loves the ladies." Farrel is a misogynistic. Carey has a sister, Marietta, a lovable hoyden of a girl who is an unconscious flirt just because she is so full of life. One day Marietta calls at the office of Peabody and Company, where the two young men are employed. Upon being shown to her brother she asks him who the fine young man is in the outer office. Carew tells her that it is his woman-hating pal. Marietta determines to interest him. Since Carew believes his pal is a hardened old cynic he doesn't hesitate to make a wager with his sister of a fur coat that she will interest him. When Carew with set face appears he answers Farrel's query of "Who is she?" by saying, "Naughty Mable, the burlesque queen." That night, when Carew dresses up for another wild night, he asks Farrel to accompany him, so he may see "Naughty Mable." Farrell replies that no woman can fascinate him. After Carew has gone, Farrel examines some photographs of himself that he has recently had taken, five in all, and then pens a letter. At a secluded corner of a street a cab stands waiting. Suddenly Dick Carew appears and is instantly joined by a woman muffled in sable furs and a black mask. The two, after a hasty conversation and the exchange of something bulky, get into the cab. Farrel meanwhile finishes his letter and departs to the corner mail box to post it. When he returns home, to his surprise he finds a horse and cab tied to his hitching post. He is even more greatly surprised when he sees a light burning in his room above the street. Farrel lets himself into the house and goes up the stairs, only to find his room dark. Farrel enters his room, turns on the lights and finds one of his photographs missing and all the drawers of the dresser standing open. He decides that his pal has returned and is playing some joke, so he starts across the hall to Jack's bedroom. He listens at the door, then recoils in surprise upon finding a dainty rhinestone barretta upon the floor of the hall. Determined to solve the mystery, Farrel pushes open the door and rushes into the dark room and turns on the lights to find himself looking into the barrel of a revolver in the hands of a woman, attired in a tight-fitting evening gown of black velvet and a sable mask to match, while on one of the chairs hangs an elegant sable fur piece. The midnight visitor speaks not a word but forces him back into his room where she coolly demands the keys to his employer's office and makes him hand them over. He is struck by her loveliness and begs her to remove her mask, but she refuses. The time quickly passes in jolly repartee. Then she leaves. For just an instant she leans near him and in the madness of the moment he clasps her to him and kisses her lips through the little slit in the black domino. Farrel hurries to the window to see the woman climb into the waiting cab and vanish. Following that midnight visit, Farrel has no peace of mind left and actually begins to look thin and wan, especially when he receives a taunting letter from the masked woman daring him to find her and offering him the right to kiss her without ceremony should he find her. Strange to say, the Peabody Company failed to receive a visit from burglars and Farrel makes the discovery that the girl left the keys she took from him on the staircase. Here Carew decides to play his inning. Meeting his sister at a secluded spot he is forced to listen to her taunts regarding her ability. When he offers to bring Farrel to her, she defuses to listen to such a thing. It is then that Carew has a bold scheme. That night he invites Farrel to accompany him to his home in another city to spend the weekend. Farrel accepts. Farrel and Carew arrive at the latter's home unknown to Marietta, who has been away all day. That evening, Marietta is reading in the library with her back to the door when Carew slyly leads Farrel before the door and, feigning some excuse, withdraws. Farrel quickly sizes up the library and with it the girl whose back is facing him and recoils in wonder for in the girl's wonderful hair reposes the rhinestone barretta, easily recognizable because of its oddity. He starts toward her and forces her to turn round. He kisses her, and she resists only for the moment then lies quite willingly in his arms.
- Jack's mother idolizes him. When she receives a letter that he must have five hundred dollars more in order to buy law books, she is worried. Her only resource is to mortgage the farm. She goes to Lawyer Robbins, who promises to raise the money for her. After she has gone, the lawyer's daughter enters and becomes interested in Jack's mother. Lawyer Robbins become worried when he learns that his daughter loves Jack. He has a friend in the city, who investigates the young man, thus learning that the boy is leading a wild and extravagant life. Jack's "law books," this friend finds, are mainly playing cards. So Lawyer Robbins and his daughter leave to investigate for themselves. They arrive at Jack's apartments while a wild stage racket is in progress. The old man takes him to task and tells him that instead of studying law and dissipating he should be home working on his mother's farm. Jack tells the old lawyer and his daughter to mind their own affairs and leave, which they do. Then he dismisses his friends whose gibes at the rural appearance of the visitors, have infuriated him. The lawyer's contemptuous words burn in his brain and he thinks of his poor little mother whose toil-stained hands have worked so long for him, and he packs up. The next day the lawyer and daughter visit the mother to advise her not to mortgage the farm as the money will be wasted, when the girl's sharp eyes see the son plowing in the nearby field. They go to him and Jack expresses repentance and is restored to the good opinion of those who have always loved him.
- The Spider, an old jail bird, learns on being released from the penitentiary, that a slum worker, Helen Arnold, has been taking care of his wife, and also that she has rescued Amy Gray, a girl of the slums, from Gyp Carter, a noted crook. That night Spider, returning to his old trade, attempts to break into the home of Thomas Arnold, Helen's father. In the meantime, Gyp, who plans upon again getting Amy into his clutches, telephones a frame-up, intended to bring Helen down to Spider's house. There Gyp and a pal kidnap her and convey her into a room in a nearby saloon, where he attempts to wreak his revenge upon her. The Spider, surprised in the act of burglary, learns through Amy of the telephone message to Helen. Quickly sensing Helen's peril, he snatches the gun from old Arnold's band and hastens to Helen's rescue. In the bar-room, at the back of which Helen is held prisoner by Gyp and his pal, Spider is stopped by the bartender, but by a clever ruse distracts the bartender's attention and breaks a bottle of liquor over his head. Spider gains the room above, and in a desperate fight with Gyp and his pal, rescues Helen. Arnold, Amy and the officers of the law arrive soon after. Gyp and his pal are made prisoners, and old Arnold's interest and financial assistance are enlisted in the sympathy of those who live in the slums.
- William Conway, a slave to drink, is at last told by his wife that he will have to leave her for their own good and her own health and happiness. She urges him to fight against the craving for liquor and to try to overcome it. If he succeeds, she promises to take him back and start life over. He accepts the terms and goes to the distant mountains to fight it out alone. In the mountain resort lives Beth, the daughter of the hotel keeper, who has a childish love affair with Charles Vassar, a boy of the mountains. Upon the arrival of Conway, Beth appoints herself his guide. They become firm friends, but Charles grows jealous, imagining it a love affair. After several weeks, the story of his trouble is told to Beth by Conway. She sympathizes with him and in a burst of affection throws her arms about his neck. Charles, seeing this, is driven wild with anger and charges Conway with having stolen his sweetheart, at the same time attempting to shoot him. Conway grabs the gun and pulling a telegram from his pocket, which he has received that morning from the city, shows it to the boy. The telegram reads: "Come home. Your wife and newborn son need you. Lovingly, your wife." Charles realizes his mistake and from a distant rock. Conway sees the happy reunion of the young sweethearts.
- Following the death of her mother, Helen Marsh, a girl in her early teens, is placed in a select boarding school in New York City. Her father, Philip Marsh, has been disowned by his father, a Southern planter, because of his marriage years before. On the outbreak of the Civil War, Phillip returns South to enlist in the Confederate Army. He pays his father a visit and again pleads with him for the privilege of bringing his daughter to his old home, but his father refuses his request. He joins his regiment and old "Uncle" Caesar, a family slave, goes with him. Mrs. Galloway, principal of the school, not having heard from Helen's father, writes him demanding payment for her tuition and in the meantime makes Helen do housework. Phillips is killed and when Mrs. Galloway receives this news through one of his brother officers, Helen is immediately made a "slave" and is given a room in the attic of the boarding school. She suffers many hardships and privations and is the fag of every school girl. Uncle Caesar, fearful of returning to the plantation because of the anger of his old master at his leaving with Phillip, makes his way North and secures employment as janitor of an office building in New York, which adjoins Mrs. Galloway's school. From his window he looks into Helen's attic and frequently sees the unhappy child. During her absence he brings delicacies to her and one night they meet. He learns who she is. The grandfather, remorseful, finally decides to go North and look for his granddaughter. He meets old Caesar on the sidewalk in front of the two buildings. The negro tells him of finding Helen and brings the old man up to the attic. On this particular evening a birthday party is being given one of the scholars, but Helen has not been allowed to attend it. Thus "Uncle" Caesar and her grandfather find her on a little cot weeping in grief. The old Southerner takes her downstairs and they burst in upon the party, the old negro following. Mrs. Galloway is severely censured and endeavors at the last moment to make reparation. The story ends by Helen being taken home to the old plantation, where she lives happily with her grandfather.
- Roderick Long decides that his son, Herbert, shall see life before marriage. Accordingly the father gives the boy a considerable sum of money to carry out his schemes. For a time the boy leads a fast life and one night, comes home in an intoxicated state to his father's disgust. The State Legislature passes a law dealing with eugenics, which requires a physical examination of both parties, prior to marriage. While seated in his library, the father reads a newspaper article announcing that the law has gone into effect. He naturally thinks of his son and while wondering what the future may bring forth, he falls asleep. He dreams that his son returns home after having been rejected by the medical examining board and that his son, angry at his fathers desire that he see the fast life, hands him a revolver, with the demand that he kill him. The father refuses, whereupon the boy, taking the gun, shoots himself. In reality, however, the boy regrets the life that he has led and persuades his fiancée to accompany him to the medical board. Both return home. The father is overjoyed on learning that his son is in perfect physical condition.
- Ruth Hope is a cartoonist on "The Times," and while riding on the street car one day, sits next to James Daggett, a down-and-outer. She sees in him excellent material for a heart interest cartoon. Daggett admires the girl and notices as she sits looking out of the car window her purse slips to the floor. He is tempted not to tell her. They come to the street where Ruth wants to leave the car, and rising hurriedly, she leaves, forgetting the purse. Daggett picks it up and again being tempted, does not return it to the owner. With the money in the purse, he rehabilitates himself and finds that with outward respectability comes success. He obtains a position. At home, that evening, Miss Hope discovers the loss of her purse and is indignant. There is no way to identify the thief except her remembrance of his face. She makes a sketch of the man as she remembers him and places it in the hands of the police. With Daggett's success comes remorse. He finds a card in the purse with Miss Hope's address upon it and writes her a letter, explaining his situation at the time and his temptation, also the results, obtained with the money now that he is able to do so. Miss Hope receives the money and is sorry that she has been so hasty. The police nab Daggett and call upon Miss Hope to identify him. She shows them the letter Daggett has written her and the sergeant thereupon dismisses the prisoner. Daggett then has the pleasure of escorting Miss Hope to her home.
- Edward Garfield, after several years of study abroad, returns to his aged father, a retired capitalist. It has long been the old man's outspoken wish that his son and Doris Wentworth, his ward, should marry, and the old man had made his will leaving everything to bis son, with this union in view. Doctor Granice, the family physician, is in the old man's confidence and knows of his hopes. The doctor secretly loves Doris, but is held back on account of his relations with an adventuress, Mildred Clement. There is a fond greeting between the father and son, and the son looks around inquiringly for Doris. The old man tells him the girl is in the garden, where he finds her. A happy meeting between them takes place. Edward, after his long years of study, seeks recreation and soon drifts into a fast set. Doris notices the change in him and is very much worried. One night while he and a party of young men are having a gay time at the race, the family doctor and his woman companion come into the place and the woman sees Edward. She is attracted to him and asks the doctor about him. When she finds out that he is the son of a rich old man she expresses a wish to meet him and the doctor, seeing a way to get rid of the woman, does all in his power to help the thing along. The infatuation of Edward for the woman grows and he loses all respect for himself. Finally she gets him to propose and accepts him. He persuades her to accompany him to his father to announce the good news. The doctor feels that he is free of the woman and offers his love to Doris, who rejects him, telling him that he knows of her guardian's wish. At this moment Edward and his fiancée arrive. He announces his engagement. His old father, in a furious rage, tells him he can choose between his inheritance and the woman. On choosing the latter, the old man tears up the will, and orders them out of the house. Doris is overcome with grief. The doctor, seeing that that it is partly due to his work, resolves to help her win Edward back. He tells her his plan, and she agrees. He gives the old man a sleeping powder and telephones the son that his father is dying. The boy resolves to return home, but the woman insists on coming with him, taking along a rough will which she has drawn up and expects to get him to make his father sign before he dies. The doctor battles all night, apparently, to bring the father to consciousness, and in the morning tells them he is successful. The son falls on his knees and asks for his father's forgiveness, which is granted. The adventuress tries to force her way in with the will, but is blocked by the doctor, who shows her the way out. As the picture fades, Edward and Doris are seen in the garden, renewing their broken vows, while the old father and the doctor watch them from the window.
- Jane Darling is an invalid, whose husband, Charles, was formerly a famous actor, but in his old age has come down to be doorkeeper at a theater. For his wife's happiness, Charles still lets her think he is a famous star. He is helped, unconsciously, in the deception by a famous star of the present day, who has taken for a stage name the fallen star's surname and is playing at the same theater where Charles is doorkeeper, in a revival of the same play that Charles made his reputation in. One day as Charles is holding his little court about the door, composed of several children who hang about him, the star comes in and hears the old man reciting lines of the part he is playing in. He is surprised, and on talking with "Daddy," learns that the old man at one time read the same lines to his audience. That night the impression is deep on two minds. The star, eating his lonely dinner, wonders if he will come to what "Daddy" is now, while Jane, at home, reads of the success of the play and the encomiums heaped upon the star. The next day is the wedding anniversary of the old couple and Jane intends to surprise her "star" husband by going to the theater unknown to him and watching him in his big success. At the last moment she tells her plan to her neighbor, who is horror struck at the idea, knowing that "Daddy" is only a doorkeeper at the theater and fearing that the shock of the surprise will kill her. The old lady is too determined to be turned aside and they leave for the theater. At the theater things are not going well, the star is late and they are anxiously waiting his arrival. When he does arrive, in his hurry to get out of his car, he slips and wrenches his ankle so badly that he is unable to go on with the play. He persuades the manager to put "Daddy" on in his place, knowing his familiarity with the play, and, after many arguments, "Daddy" is finally given the part. His rendition of the part is more than perfect. Jane has taken a front seat and is unable to contain herself. "Daddy" sees her, and for an instant, falters in his lines, but his old training comes into play and he goes on coolly with the part. He motions her to come backstage and after the performance, there is a very happy reunion. The star secretly makes the manager let "Daddy" take the part as long as the play runs so his wife will never know of the deception and as the story ends. "Daddy" comes again into the triumphs of his youth.
- Ferris Sims, once a notorious crook, but lately leading an apparently honest life, has a daughter, Helen, whom he wishes to keep in ignorance of his past life and also of his erstwhile associates, who frequently visit him. The girl is in love with, and is loved by, a rich young man of the town. "Spider" Dale, Sims' lieutenant and former companion in crime, calls on him for the first time, and gets a good look at the girl. He immediately falls in love with her and tries to meet her, but her father objects. This angers him and he goes back to his den, where Flo Summers, who has previously held his fancy, awaits his coming. Time passes and one day "Spider" sees Flo reading a paper in which the engagement of Helen Vincent is announced. He is mad with rage, and getting the address of her fiancé, goes there to kill him. Flo is angry because "Spider" is in love with Helen, and calling up Sims' house, warns him of what the crook is going to do. Sims, in an effort to save the life of his daughter's lover, hurries to the house where he lives. He arrives at the same time as "Spider" and they confront each other with drawn guns. Vincent has heard the noise of their entrance, and, slipping in, turns on the light and confronts the two with a drawn revolver. Their surprise is mutual, and in the moment of indecision, "Spider" makes a desperate attempt to kill Vincent. Sims is too quick for him, though, and jumping in the way, stops the fatal bullet, but his life pays for the sacrifice. The crook, too, meets his fate at the hands of Vincent, who fires back. As the scene fades, the girl's father makes a last rally and is about to tell of his past, when he sinks and dies without bringing his past from the shadows. The two young people live in ignorance of the double life of the girl's father.
- George Merrill and Nell Fenwick are in love with each other. George is a club man and has unconsciously drifted until he is a little better than a drunkard. Nell, a struggling young artist, has clung to him in hope of making a man of him, but her patience reaches the limit when he comes to her apartment one night, and in an intoxicated condition, makes a fool of himself. She orders him never to enter her house again. Billy, a typical newsboy of the streets, is a favorite of Nell. One day as she is talking to him, Merrill comes out of a store and tries to force his attentions upon her. She resents his presence and Billy kicks him. The little newsboy is knocked down by Merrill. The boy is injured worse than was thought and Nell, who has taken him in charge, arranges to take him home with her until he is well. Merrill is overcome with remorse at his actions and makes a resolves not to have anything more to do with liquor. Billy rejects the presents Merrill has sent him in the shape of peace offerings and tells Nell to throw them under the bed. Nell misses Merrill a great deal and secretly takes out his picture for consolation. Merrill, discouraged because he can make no headway in his efforts to win back the affection of Nell, prepares to go on a trip abroad. Billy is now convalescent and whenever he can do so, he shoots craps with lumps of sugar to while the time away. Nell never knows of this, however, as he hides them before she arrives in the room. One day while he is alone, he rummages around the drawers of the bureau and finds a picture of Merrill. His sharp wits take in the situation and when Nell returns home, he tells her that he thinks he will die and wants her to get the "gink" who knocked him down so as to forgive him. Nell, in terror, calls for the doctor and also Merrill. Merrill arrives and Billy puts him "wise" to the deception. The doctor arrives and he, too, falls into the scheme. Billy's cleverness wins the day and the lovers are once more reunited with a better understanding of each other, while Billy has made a permanent place for himself in the hearts of each.
- Frank Crane is to be tried on a charge of murder. Among the men summoned for jury duty is Thomas Haig, a family man. Haig and his wife have just received a letter from their daughter, who is an actress and has been away from home for some time, announcing her arrival next day. He rages at the fate that draws him away from home at such a time. Frank has told the facts of his case to his lawyer, which were that while passing through the street he saw two men fighting, one of whom was shot. He tried to aid him and accidentally picked up the gun he had been shot with when a policeman appeared on the scene and arrested him for murder. The trial drags its wearisome way and finally the jury retires for a verdict. There is a difference of opinion among them and as several of them desire to be released from duty to attend their personal affairs, they return to the judge with the statement that they can't agree. The judge angrily orders them to go back to the jury room and stay until they have reached a verdict. They go back and Haig alone holds out. While they are arguing, Haig sees two of the jurymen deciding how they will vote by flipping a coin. He decides to leave his decision to Fate and flips a coin, which falls heads, making his verdict "guilty." The girl has arrived home and springs the surprise that she has promised her parents. It is that she is married. She tells her mother that her husband will call on them soon. The jury have declared the prisoner guilty and all leave tor their homes. Haig comes home, finds his daughter and is told of her husband. The girl shows them a picture of him and it turns out to be Frank Crane who has been convicted on the turn of a coin. Haig is remorseful and next morning confesses all to the judge. The judge issues warrants for the jurymen and is giving them to an officer, when the real crook comes in and confesses. As the picture fades, Frank and his wife are bidding each other a sad farewell, not knowing of the happy events which are transpiring in their favor.
- Frank Herrod is a detective with a conscience; Irene Morris, a stenographer for Oliver Morton, an unscrupulous mining promoter. She and her little sister, "Billie," live with Mrs. Benson" a motherly old lady whose only means of support is the board she receives from them. Billie has a puppy she calls "Baby." One day, furious at a proposition made to him by a client, Frank throws himself into a chair by the window. His frown changes to a smile as he looks across a narrow areaway and sees Irene working at her typewriter. She glances up and, seeing him smiling at her, is annoyed and pulls down the shade. Mrs. Benson, with a child-like faith in the advertised richness of Morton's mine, sends him her scanty savings to invest. He chuckles in satisfaction and, handing the latter to Irene, tells her to mail a receipt. Irene knows Mrs. Benson and, for her friend's sake, asks Morton if the mining property is all right. He declares that it is, but his manner increases her suspicions and he sees that she does not believe him. He becomes angry and discharges her. Frank, anxious to make her acquaintance, pretends to be interested in mining stock and goes to the office. She passes him as he enters. He secures some circulars and leaves. Morton learns that Frank is a detective and begins to get nervous. Irene tells Mrs. Benson of her suspicions and sends her to Frank for advice. Morton sees her with Frank, and his fears are increased. Frank sees him watching from behind the curtain, and in order to catch him napping, says to her in a loud voice, "I will investigate the matter tomorrow." He then slips over to Morton's office after calling up the police station and giving them a description of Morton. He catches Morton just as he is about to flee with his ill-gotten gains. Morton tries to bluff but caves in when he is confronted with the receipt. He gladly pays back the money and Frank allows him to go. He hurries away but is unexpectedly nabbed by the cop waiting for him outside. Frank goes to Mrs. Benson's to pay the money over to her and finds Irene there. He is introduced to her and is overjoyed. Billie has gone to the store on an errand and calls up the house. The 'phone bell rings, and Irene answers it. Frank's happiness is changed to consternation and despair as he hears Irene say, "All right, Billie dear, hurry home; baby wants you." He is about to leave, his dream shattered, when the little sister returns and is introduced as "Billie." Hope is born again but he is still mystified. Irene guesses the reason for his actions and in a spirit of mischief says, "Don't go till you have seen 'Baby.'" She goes out and return with a basket and to his astonishment, he gazes upon a cunning little puppy. In great relief and joy he grabs and hugs the puppy and Irene smiles at him as the scene fades.
- Ruby is the daughter of Colonel Granden of the "Twenty-first" and is the pride of the regiment. Jim Austin, the Colonel's orderly and she are great chums. Mrs. Granden thinks that it is a slight to the dignity of the household for her daughter to be on familiar terms with the soldiers and especially with the orderly. Jack Raymond, old flame of Mrs. Granden, arrives, and is installed as one of the household. His admiration for the Colonel's wife breaks out anew. The orderly, being in the house a great deal, one day comes upon the pair in an almost compromising attitude. Ruby is suddenly taken sick and the nurse sends Jim for her mother. Jim comes upon Mrs. Granden and Raymond as they are about to embrace. He tells her of the child's illness. She leaves hurriedly. Raymond realizes that the child is the only bond that keeps Mrs. Granden from leaving with him. The child recovers, but Mrs. Granden and Raymond decide to elope but the nurse finds the note telling Mrs Granden where to meet him. She shows it to Jim who finds Raymond and thrashes him and makes him leave alone. Then the woman realizes what she has been saved from. She and the Colonel make up and Jim is now thought worthy to be the guardian of an officer's little daughter.
- The story opens with the male gossips inside the club gazing from the window and making comments on the passers-by. Green, a member of the club, lives in the apartment beneath that of William Wright, a broker. Wright is in business difficulties, but his business associates have not yet learned this, as his wife's father has promised to relieve the situation with a loan. Daisy Dean, Wright's stenographer, is in his confidence. Daisy has her foot caught in the elevator of the building and Mr. Wright takes her home in his car. As he passes the club window, the gossips and Green see him with Daisy and slander is started. Green, coming home, tells his wife of Wright's joy ride with his office girl. Their servant overhears and quickly calls the news up the dumbwaiter to Mrs. Wright's maid in the flat above. Mrs. Wright enters in time to hear the discussion and her slumbering jealousy is fanned into a flame. In Daisy's neighborhood her ride in Mr. Wright's car has occasioned some comment, especially from Susan, an old maid aunt next door, whose brother, Robert, has long loved Daisy in secret. Daisy is engaged to Austin Clark. Mrs. Wright has particularly noted that the stenographer always has a bunch of daisies on her desk. In the most innocent fashion, Mr. Wright comes home with one of the flowers in his button-hole. The fact that Daisy is seen morning and evening in Mr. Wright's car gives color to the lies that are now freely circulating. Daisy and Austin quarrel and part. Mrs. Wright haunts Daisy's neighborhood in a taxicab and has her worse suspicions confirmed in the fact that her husband is seen outside. Without giving him a chance, she leaves him. The father withdraws his financial support and ruin overtakes Wright. One morning the newspaper has an item which reads: "Wife of broker leaves him on eve of his bankruptcy. Mrs. William Wright returns to her father's house. She will apply for divorce from her husband, naming his stenographer. Daisy Dean, as co-respondent." By the time the gossips get through with Daisy Dean, she is glad to marry Robert, next door, for protection. On the day of her wedding. Austin repents his hastiness and writes that he has never ceased to love her, but it is too late and Daisy hides the letter with his photograph. Wright, broken and penniless, is saved from suicide by his old mother. Time passes and the old trouble seems forgotten. In their new happiness, Daisy and Robert and their baby go to a seaside town for the summer. Robert's work calls him away and his sister, Susan, in spite of her dislike of Daisy, comes to stay with her during his absence. In the meantime, Austin, who is now engaged to a girl in the town, comes down for his vacation. He and Daisy meet and he introduces the two women. Daisy remembers his photograph and letter hidden away; gets them out and burns them, but Susan recovers the end of the letter, which was burned and which reads: "I have never ceased to love you. Austin." She sends the letter to her brother. Daisy is included in many of their engagement festivities in a perfectly innocent way, but to Susan's suspicious mind there can only be one conclusion placed upon their intimacy. The letters and insinuations to Robert breathe such suspicion against Daisy and Austin that he is driven almost mad. Finally, unable to work, he returns home without notifying his wife. The same evening, Daisy has joined Austin and a party of their friends in an auto ride out of town for dinner. A series of accidents to the car, miles from nowhere, detain them until dawn. A cottager, who proves to be Mr. Wright, assists them. Robert reaches his home about daylight in a condition bordering on insanity. He is met by Susan with the news that Daisy has been out all night with Austin. The auto party, having stopped at the sweetheart's home, drops her and her parents first and Austin then escorts Daisy to her cottage. On entering the house, Daisy is confronted by Robert and Susan. A terrible scene takes place, during which Robert's self-control is entirely lost. Austin, returning from the garage, passes the house and is shot dead by Robert, who is taken into custody. Daisy, terror-stricken, takes her baby and hastens as far from the town as her strength will carry her. At last, more dead than alive, she sees no hope for herself but death and is about to end her life and the baby's when she is saved by Mr. Wright, who takes her to his mother. The shock of the tragedy kills Robert's sister, while Daisy receives the following letter: "Do not come home, I am disgraced enough. Your Mother." News reaches the clubroom that Mr. Wright and Daisy Dean are living in the same house and the scandal goes on.
- Arthur Graham is confidential clerk to Edmund Stewart, and he and his employer's daughter are very much in love with each other. He receives a letter from his brother, James, who has just finished serving a prison term, telling him that he intends to live a straight life hereafter. There is a happy reconciliation between the brothers and Arthur manages to secure a place for his brother in the same office in which he works. Edmund Stewart is in hard straits for money and realizes that some bonds that he holds in trust would tide him over his financial trouble. He is sorely tempted. Next day at the office he gets a note from a friend telling him that James Graham, who is now in his employ, is an ex-convict. Stewart calls James into his office and while he is questioning him strikes upon a scheme to overcome his monetary difficulties. He tells James that he has some bonds in his safe and that if "someone" were to steal them he could get ready money for them in Europe, and James reluctantly consents to do the deal. That night he makes his preparations and slips to the house. Edmund Stewart has fixed things so James will have an easy time getting in. Arthur and his sweetheart, Mabel, have selected this night to elope, and she is impatiently waiting for his arrival when she hears the noise of an explosion. She runs in with a gun in hand just as the burglar is dropping out of the window and shoots him. He drops to the ground. Stewart has been watching things from the garden and sees his daughter. He runs to them and arrives just as Arthur Graham comes up, having heard the noise of the shot. There is recognition and Mabel stands back in horror, thinking the man she was about to marry is the brother of a thief. James, believing he is mortally wounded, tells them of the agreement between Stewart and himself. Arthur corners Stewart and forces him to tell the truth of the matter. James is found to be only slightly wounded and some time later Arthur and Mabel come to visit him. Stewart pleads for forgiveness, which is freely granted, and the story ends happily for all concerned.
- Richard Grave has been sentenced for forgery and given a five-year term. This will leave his wife and little baby to face the world alone. He writes his wife telling of his disgrace and begs her not to let the child ever know of her father's shame. His wife decides that the disgrace is more than she can bear and tells him that she will get a divorce. Eight years pass and Gretchen has married a wealthy man who gladly provides for her and the child and is fondly attached to his baby. She and her husband take a happy leave from the child to attend the theater, leaving the child and nurse alone. Richard Grave has been released from prison and is kicked about from "pillar to post." Hungry, dirty and discouraged, he is wandering about and passes the house where Gretchen lives just in time to see her and her husband enter the auto. He sees they are wealthy and decides to enter the house and make a haul. Grave gets into the house and is prowling around when his attention is arrested by a noise on the stairs. He looks up to find the child, who has missed its toy dog and come in search of it. gazing down at him. He starts back and the child tells him not to be afraid and comes down to meet him. Grave does not recognize the child as his own and they are enjoying each other's society when Grave notices a picture of his wife. "That's my mamma," declares the child. Grave hugs the child close just as Gretchen and her husband arrive. Grave is captured and about to be handed over to the law when the child's entreaties save him. Gretchen, in terror, recognizes her first husband, but he points to the child and makes her promise to be silent. He silently slips out of the window, leaving the child in the care of its foster father.
- Reverend Eric Norton leaves his position in a fashionable New York congregation to preach in a poor mining town, against the wishes of his wife Cecelia. Disputes rage about the safety of the mines, which have been closed under pressure, but in spite of threats from powerful miner "Bull" Morgan, Eric uses his influence with the owner to reopen the mines. Bored with her drab life, Cecelia deserts her infant son and runs off to Paris with former lover Richard Allen, who eventually leaves her. Penitent, Cecelia decides to return home only to find that her husband, believing her dead after reading about her apparent suicide in a newspaper, has married Edith Jackson, his ward. Bull Morgan attempts to blow up the mines but is buried in the explosion instead. Sneaking into her home for a last look at her son, Cecelia accidentally sets the house on fire. After a brave rescue of the baby, Cecelia begs Eric's forgiveness, then dies.
- Jonathan Rodd, a wealthy old widower, has a son, Frederick, who has become entangled with an adventuress, Olga, who is forcing him to financial ruin. The old man strives to break up the infatuation, but for the time being fails to do so. Ruth Margate resides on a small farm with her invalid mother and baby sister, and needing more money, she advertises for an old gentleman or lady as lodger. Jonathan reads the advertisement, and as he desires peace in his old age, decides to visit the farm and take up his residence there. He is so impressed with the virtue and charm of Ruth that he sends for his son in order to bring them together. After a heated interview with his inamorata, in which she tells him that if he cannot supply her with the money needed he needn't come around, he decides to take his father's advice and goes to the farm, where he meets Ruth. The adventuress follows him and strives to win him back, but the old man is successful in separating them permanently, and after a series of incidents, succeeds in uniting the boy with the girl of his choice and everything end« happily.
- A woman who has been in a train wreck and lost her memory is mistaken for a vaudeville star, complete with a husband and several children.
- Barrett, a substantial, level-headed man of business, in the faith and confidence, in the love and devotion of his wife, in the trustworthiness of his partner, his employees, and more than all, of his best friend, is importuned by a mysterious stranger, a Hindoo Yogi, to purchase a pair of spectacles through the medium of which walls vanish and those behind them are seen in their true characters. In succession the glasses are turned by Barrett upon his employees, his partner, his best friend and his wife. What is disclosed and the resultant effect upon the lives of the several characters in the story is ingeniously shown in its denouement.
- Kate Roberts and her mother live on the seacoast, where Mrs. Roberts runs a boarding house. Kate reads of the outside world and becomes dissatisfied with her quiet life. Ned Johnson, her sweetheart, is a source of interest to the summer visitors, and one day Kate and he have a spat because the women notice Ned so. Henry Andrews and his son come to the beach for a vacation and take lodgings at Mrs. Roberts' house. Kate "falls for" the good looks and clothes of the son and seizes every opportunity to accompany him about. When passing Ned she cuts him dead. This leaves Ned heartsore and angry and he resolves to watch the strangers. One day he accidentally sees a notice offering a reward for the capture of a band of smugglers. Ned is sprawled out among the rocks when he sees a boat put away from a launch anchored out in the ocean and hurriedly come to shore. His curiosity is aroused and he sees the boat met by Andrews, who gets a suspicious looking box and hides it after the crew return to the ship. He hides until Andrews leaves and then hurries to the sheriff and tells him of his suspicions. The next morning Andrews and his son announce that they have to leave and call the automobile. As Andrews comes out with the box under his overcoat the sheriff steps up and arrests him. There is a fight, in which the two are subdued and taken to the lockup. Kate realizes the true worth of Ned and gladly returns to his love and their happiness is complete when later Ned is given a substantial reward for assisting in the capture of a brace of notorious smugglers.
- After Eddie Plum discovers oil on the family ranch, he and his widowed mother move to the city where they meet Lord Burlington, a British fortune hunter. Burlington introduces the Plums to two socialites, Mrs. Van Zant and Betty, her daughter, and while Burlington woos Mrs. Plum, Eddie falls in love with Betty. A double wedding is arranged, but on the day of the ceremony, Mrs. Plum announces that the deed to her land has been stolen and without it she has no claim. Devastated by the news, Burlington requests a postponement and leaves. In spite of the apparent disaster, Eddie and Betty elope while Mrs. Plum, hurt by the Lord's sudden departure, plans to return to the country. Realizing that his affections for the widow are genuine, Burlington asks for her forgiveness and insists on the marriage. Her faith restored, Mrs. Plum reveals that the stolen documents were fakes, and that her oil millions are safe.
- Mrs. Forbes, longtime housekeeper at the country mansion of disappointed, embittered aristocrat Mr. Evringham, who is almost a luxurious recluse, is worried: the household has been turned upside-down by the advent of the wife of Evringham's dead son Lawrence, who has arrived with her daughter Eloise. The mother is a schemer who, reduced to her last penny, is pulling every wire to induce wealthy young Dr. Ballard to marry Eloise. It looks as if she is going to succeed and the need for success is imperative because Mr. Evringham is set against his female dependents, whom he might expel from his home at any moment. Then word comes from another son, Harry Evringham, who writes that he and his wife must make a business trip abroad and he asks his father to take Jewel, the child he has never seen, into his home until they return in six weeks. Old Mr. Evringham reluctantly agrees to his son's request. He hates children and is gruff, unresponsive, and self-centered. The only reason he agrees to take the child is because his daughter-in-law, the widow, tries to get him to refuse. He hates this daughter-in-law; therefore takes Jewel in to spite her. Upon her arrival, Jewel meets with a very cool reception. She finds that, according to the Christian Science teachings with which she is familiar, that she has entered a household of hatred and discord. She puts the scriptures and Mrs. Eddy's teachings to practical use and proves to all scoffers that she has found and can demonstrate the truth. Jewel takes a strong liking to her bluff, stern, old grandfather and he finds his heart softening under her influence. She cures herself of a fever which she says came o because a shadow of hatred passed over her for the house's inmates. She wins the heart of the grim housekeeper when she redeems her drunkard son from the grip of the liquor demon, she converts Eloise to the truth of Divine Science, and she proves to everyone that Science can win in spite of all. She reaps a harvest of good from a bleak, barren soil, uniting the strained and jarring household by chain after chain of love.
- While working his way through college, Paul Potter acquires a flock of wealthy friends who encourage him to give up his hometown fiancée, Sylvia Castle, for Muriel Evers, a flirtatious married woman. After Sylvia releases Paul, and Muriel's husband divorces her for infidelity, Paul and Muriel marry. Meanwhile, when Sylvia's father dies after being ruined in the stock market, she goes from one job to another in the city until she tries acting in a stock company. There she befriends Henry Leamington, an alcoholic leading man, who, as he tutors her, falls in love and stops drinking because of her. When Paul discovers Muriel's unfaithfulness, he renews his acquaintance with Sylvia, who still loves him. After Muriel dies in an automobile crash, Paul's appearance in Sylvia's dressing room before an opening night causes Henry to drink, but after Sylvia refuses Paul's request to be his mistress, Henry braces himself to give a commanding performance, after which they marry.
- Newly wealthy Isidore Lechat lives in a castle in the south of France. He believes that business is the most important thing in life, but manages to stay attached to his children, although he believes that his wife's slovenly appearance detracts from his social position, so he doesn't let her go out in public. He begins an affair with Celeste, an acquaintance of his wastrel son Xavier. He believes that this may be the beginning of a new cycle of personal and business triumphs for him, but soon matters begin to take unexpected turns.
- Rose and Charley Sterling are neighbors. They have settled their future long ago, and keep their intentions a secret. It is true they are not of the same faith, but what significance has creed for youth and love? One day Rose persuades Charley to come to her house and the youthful pair are making love when old Elias steps into the room. Charlie is shown the door without ceremony, and invited to stay at home in future. Rose is made to understand that it's not Charlie's fault, but "East is East," and "Creed is Creed." Although old Elias has prevented Charley from coming to his house, he cannot prevent the music of the church opposite, where the Reverend Sterling ministers, and Charlie is chief choirmaster, from coming into his name. The next day Elias consults the minister about their children's little affair. The Rev. Sterling as alarmed as Elias is of a misalliance, bundles Charley off to college to study for the ministry. When Rose fails to hear her sweetheart's voice on the following Sunday, she learns that Charley is at college. With the lapse of years, Charles Sterling, now a son of the church, returns home, but Elias, as wise as he is pious, has a conference with Moses Blum, the marriage broker, and Rose is asked to make her choice. After turning down the first candidate, she decides to accept the second as there is no way out of it, and amid general rejoicing on Sunday evening at a betrothal ceremony, the pen is put into her hand to sign the contract. At that moment the new young minister has stepped into the pulpit to give an inaugural address at his father's church, and the sound of Charley's voice proves too much for poor Rose. She flings the pen down and flees from the room. Rose tries to forget the painful incident and devotes herself to acts of charity. One day she is called to the bedside of a sick neighbor and a minister is hastily summoned as the invalid shows signs of collapsing. In the absence of the district minister, his son, just ordained, is sent, and Rose again meets her old lover. Fate seems to have interfered again and they decide not to thwart it this time. In duty bound, they seek permission from their respective parents, and in each case are shown the door. As they turn to leave the minister's house, Charley receives a telegraphic "call" to a distant pastorate at a good salary. Rose sees in his pleasure her bitterness. How can he accept if she is to be Mrs. Sterling, in a close New England community? So she goes sadly back home again, where she finds her stricken father, who has already mourned for her as if she had ceased to exist.
- Impoverished Molly Hanlon is befriended by crooked gambler Lee Kirk, she marries him in a phony ceremony. While frequenting Kirk's gambling den, Molly meets Miles Rand, the dissolute son of Judge Rand, whose obvious attraction for her encourages Kirk to swindle him out of his money. Penniless, Miles accepts a loan from Molly and returns East to study law. On the day that Molly learns that her marriage is not legal, the gambling den burns down and Kirk is presumed dead. After escaping with Kirk's money, Molly goes East where she encounters Miles, now a district attorney. In spite of the objections of Judge Rand, Molly accepts Miles's proposal, but after Kirk arrives in town, she calls off the engagement. When Kirk enters her apartment through a window, Molly kills him in a panic and is arrested for murder. The still faithful Miles defends her in court, and after her acquittal, she confesses her past and reunites with her old love.
- Roger and Luvesan have a quarrel over cards and arrange to fight a duel at dawn. In the duel Luvesan loses two fingers. Having been made an outcast by his brother officers he hates Roger for it and vows vengeance on him. Roger returns to Paris, where he meets Julia, an adventuress. He falls in love with her, and then Roger is called to the front. There his life is saved by one Lucien de Noirville. On their way to Paris, Roger is invited to Lucien's home and discovers that Julia is Lucien's wife. Out of duty to Lucien, Roger severs his friendship with Julia, who becomes resentful. Roger visits his uncle's country home and falls in love with Marie, the ward of his relation. Julia hears of the coming wedding of Roger and Marie and is furious. Seven years pass. Roger and Marie have a child, a girl of five. Roger is a devoted husband. Julia has made several attempts to win him back, but so far has failed. Roger is a banker. He holds a large sum in trust for a rich man, Gerbier. Luvesan is constantly writing Gerbier that Roger's bank is in trouble. Luvesan and Gerbier meet. Luvesan shows Gerbier that he has drawn all his money from the bank and urges Gerbier to do likewise. Gerbier begins to think there is some truth in these rumors and goes to Roger to get his money. Just before this incident Julia has visited Roger and asks him to advance her 100,000 francs. When he refuses, she claims she will be arrested for her debts, and so, more for Lucien's sake than for hers he gives her the loan and leaves his bank in difficulties. When Gerbier asks for his money Roger cannot pay it. Gerbier demands it by the next day. Luvesan visits Julia and unfolds a plan to take 100,000 francs from Gerbier's safe, have Julia return them to Roger and then await results. Luvesan steals into Gerbier's home intent upon robbing. The old man makes a hard fight to save his gold, and in the struggle is killed. The child, Suzanne, sees all this from the balcony, and the wife is convinced of her husband's guilt when Roger gets money the next day. Letters found on Gerbier, asking him to wait for his money, lead to Roger's arrest. Lucien defends Roger at the trial, and dies suddenly from the shock on hearing that the money Roger received was sent to him by Julia. The child is called upon to testify. Believing that she is helping her father, she persists in saying that she neither heard nor saw anything of the murder, and the mother is too ill to appear. Thus Roger is sentenced to life imprisonment. Marie visits Roger in jail and sees Luvesan lurking in the neighborhood of the prison. She is impressed with his striking resemblance to her husband and concludes that he is the real murderer. Tristot, an old political friend, gets Roger out of jail at midnight and has a horse waiting to take him to an ocean steamer, where his wife is waiting with Suzanne to say farewell. She tells him of Luvesan, and Roger realizes that Luvesan, his old enemy, is the real criminal and refuses to leave the country, determined he will stay and prove his innocence. To prevent this Luvesan puts the police on his track as an escaped convict. Roger overhears a conversation between Luvesan and Julia and sends for her to visit him at his place of hiding. Julia goes there, believing that he wishes to renew his former love affair. Roger tries to get her to confess and she breaks down and tells him all. Luvesan, who has tracked Roger, arrives ahead of the police, breaks in and covers Roger with a revolver. Julia, fearing for the man she loves, gets between, grabs at the gun. It goes off. She is shot as the police enter. She tells all, vindicates Roger and accuses Luvesan. The police, noting that Luvesan wants to run away, catch him. Julia dies, begging forgiveness. Luvesan is sent to jail, while Roger returns to his family.
- Jack Bennett has been leading a gay life; his father has just received a bill from one of the café proprietors for damage committed by his son and others of a party the night before. He summons the young man and proceeds to lecture him soundly, stating that in the college career upon which he is about to start, his allowance is to be $20 per week. Jack's fiancée is Irma Brentwood, the daughter of his father's partner in business. She, however, prefers Bruce Howard, an upperclassman in the college. It is the plan of the fathers that their children shall marry when Jack finishes college. At school Jack and Bruce are bitter rivals and belong to opposing Greek letter fraternities. Jack is stopping at Mrs. Blanding's boarding house. In Mrs. Blanding's employ is little orphan girl Daisy Woods, who conceives a violent admiration and semi-love for Jack. He scarcely notices her, although he is friendly when by chance he meets her. Jack and his frat brothers plan to attend the theater, but find that the opposing fraternity, including Bruce Howard, have taken possession of the theater and that there is nothing left for them. Howard's crowd starts a rough-house, which ends in their being driven from the theater with a fire hose. Jack and his boys, entering by the stage entrance, arrange with the girls to visit the frat house for a little evening, no evil intended. Disgruntled, Howard's crowd learns of what has happened and of how the other fellows have put it over on them, and they plan to inform the dean of the college. Jack's friends learn of this bit of treachery and smuggle the girls out of the house, while, to cast off suspicion, half of the fellows masquerade as girls. Howard, however, is determined to have revenge, so he arranges with one of the girls a scheme to humiliate his rival. He bribes the girl and smuggles her into Jack Bennett's room at the boarding house, being observed, however, by little Daisy Woods. Jack returns and finds the woman in his room. Jack is expelled and his father disinherits him. Jack is brokenhearted, but acting on the advice of little Daisy Woods, resolves to be a man and make good. Jack, with an eye to the welfare of his little friend, writes a note to his father, explaining that Daisy knows the truth and can explain all. Daisy arrives at the home of Jack's father and tells her story to both his father and his fiancée. His fiancée is apparently unaffected, but the father is repentant and offers forgiveness to his son through Daisy. Jack rejects the offer, stating that he has decided to make good unaided. Mr. Bennett, Jack's father, and Mr. Brentwood, Irma's father, are figuring on a large government contract bid. One evening when calling upon Irma, Bruce Howard sees papers upon which the two fathers have been working lying upon the table, and he at once realizes their value. He slips them inside his pocket, being observed by Daisy, who is acting as Irma's maid. She succeeds in securing the papers without his knowledge and, knowing of their great value, plans to give them to Jack. Jack realizes the value of the papers, and securing an advance from his mother, who has always been his friend, he succeeds in underbidding Howard, as well as his father and partner. He is re-established in the eyes of the fathers, by thus saving the contract. The true story of Howard's duplicity comes out. Irma's father again offers her to Jack, who coldly turns his back upon her and places his arm about the little orphan, Daisy.
- Harley P. Hennage, at the opening of the story, is a gambler about 35 years of age, who spends much of his time at the Red Dog Retreat at Gila Junction. Marie, the town belle, respects Harley as the best friend she has. Harley, on the other hand, has never declared his love, and it is not until Marie falls in love with a strange prospector that she has an intimation that Harley loves her, too. Harley resents Corblay's intrusion, and tells him to get out of town. When he learns of Marie's love for Corblay, he relents and leaves himself. As a newcomer of the Silver Dollar Retreat in distant San Pasqual, Hennage turns to business and forgetfulness, and in time comes to be known as the worst man in town. Marie's husband, meanwhile, has gone out into the desert accompanied by his faithful Indian and Carey, of Boston. Carey assaults Corblay and escapes with the burros and the gold which was discovered on the way to the claim. Corblay dies in the desert, leaving a note in his canteen and an inscription on a sandstone ledge, reading: "Stranger, look in my canteen and see that I get justice." Later, Hennage, hearing of Marie's poverty and the arrival of a child, arranges to have Marie come to San Pasqual, where he secures her a position as cashier in the eating house. For the moment Hennage's hopes have revived, but when he sees that the girl remains true to the memory of her lost husband, he holds himself aloof. Eighteen years elapse. Hennage has attached himself like a father to the now-grown child, Donna. One afternoon Marie is taken sick and is carried to her hut. Hennage is sent for and is with her when she dies. Marie gives him the location map of her husband's claim, telling him that while she has hated it because it stood for the desert and her tragedy, yet she would like him to search for the claim on the chance that perhaps there may be something there and that Donna will now need it. Donna, about this time, meets and falls in love with Bob McGraw, a young man who has just filed on certain water rights in the Sierras on the hunch that the surrounding land is to be open to entry. Borax O'Rourke is infatuated with Donna and attempts to force his attention upon her. She is shielded by Hennage and later by McGraw. Hennage, in searching for the lost claim, runs across the canteen that belonged to Corblay and sees the inscription on the ledge. He starts back for civilization. About this time Carey shows up in San Pasqual in search of one Bob McGraw. He is anxious to buy the rights which McGraw has filed on. A hold-up has been committed and the evidence points to young McGraw. Carey discovers where McGraw is located and attempts to use his information to force the young man to sell. Hennage, returning with the story of Corblay's death and the canteen, meets Carey, and with the Indian's aid, learns that Carey is the man who killed Corblay years before. Hennage forces restitution to the child, Donna. He meets death in a gun duel with O'Rourke, whom he had previously told to get out of town for his insult against Donna. The Indian, left to guard Carey, stabs him to death.
- John Brown is 45, married, and employed as a clerk in a downtown lawyer's office. Alice Simms is a stenographer in the same office and sees much to admire in Brown. One day she makes a subtle love appeal to Brown, which is witnessed by the lawyer, their employer, which gets the girl discharged. That evening Brown sees the soldiers marching away to the front, and, inspired by his patriotism, Is moved to offer himself as a volunteer. He finds, however, that he is past the age limit, and that they will not accept him. On his way home he passes the Simms' cottage, where he sees his friend Tom, Alice's brother. Tom has been accepted as a volunteer and tells of the great things he will do at the front. Brown tells of the refusal of the recruiting officer to pass him and expresses his regret. Alice witnesses the scene between Brown and her brother. Her wounded pride and vanity clamoring for revenge she plans to humble Brown; accordingly, she addresses an envelope to Brown and encloses a white feather, a symbol of cowardice which the women of the town have adopted to send to men who do not enlist. Brown receives the missive and is heartbroken. His son Johnny declares it a dirty trick on his father, while Mrs. Brown is moved to tears. Brown becomes filled with determination and, notwithstanding the pleadings of his wife to remain at home with her and their small children, he shaves his mustache,lies about his age, and is accepted by the recruiting officers. In the ensuing months, he and Tom Simms, who are in the same company, see much active service at the front; on one occasion Brown saves Tom's life at the risk of his own and the loss of his right arm. He receives a medal for valor. The newspaper, however, gets the name reversed and Alice feels chagrined that her brother saved Brown's life. When Brown arrives home, however, the truth comes out and Alice begs forgiveness from the man she has wronged. With aching heart Brown learns that Johnny has enlisted and is leaving for the front. Months later Alice, who has enlisted as a Red Cross nurse, comes upon a huddled, broken, youthful body. It is Johnny Brown, and in the pocket of his blouse she discovers the white feather she sent to Brown in her rage. The feather is red with the boy's life-blood.
- Luke Simms is an honest politician: He is as charitable as he is honest and his greatest pleasure is found in giving excursions to the poor little ones of the slums. The nomination for mayor is refused by Franz Hargraves, on the score that he believes he would be expected to sign away the people's rights in favor of the Electric Company. Simms is nominated and finally elected, after declaring himself in favor of the people. Richard Sears, the leader of the corruptionists, presents a fraudulent bill to the mayor, who refuses to sign it. Sears then decides to get the ordinance passed by working on Simms' weak spot. Calling upon the mayor, Sears learns how the former's sweetheart was killed in trying to avoid running down a child while she was riding in an auto with him. Believing that he has found the mayor's weakness, that of his love of children; Sears returns home and tells his mistress, Florida Everett, that she must get acquainted with Simms and eventually marry him. Florida, a good woman at heart, longs for a decent, wholesome existence, and Sears tells her this is her chance to get it. Plans are laid to entrap Simms. The scheme works and Florida and Simms are married, and are living happily. Meanwhile Sears' stenographer, Nell, whom he has betrayed, gives birth to a child which dies a few days later. Under the assumption that he has now got the honest mayor in his power, Sears again presents the crooked ordinance, but again Simms refuses to sign it. The corruptionist then commands Florida to induce her husband to honor the measure, but she begs to be left alone. Sears threatens to expose her and she tries to get her husband to sign the bill, but he refuses. Learning of her failure, Sears sends her a telegram to meet him that night at Ardsleigh Towers, and signs it Ned Harter, who is secretary to the mayor and brother of Nell, the betrayed girl. Florida finds herself trapped, and she is kept there all night. When the mayor again refuses to sign the bill, Sears threatens to expose his wife. The corruptionist tells the mayor to find out where his wife spent the preceding night. Angered, Simms questions Florida closely, and in her anguish and fear, she begs him not to go to Sears. This decides him and he departs with vengeance in his heart. In the meantime Nell has returned to her brother. Ned drags the truth from her. He steals into Sears' home and, finding a revolver in a table drawer, extracts the cartridges and replaces the weapon, determined that his victim shall not have even a dog's chance. He secretes himself behind a curtain and hears Sears entering, and is about to shoot when the maid comes in. Simms calls and informs Sears to keep his wife's name out of their affairs. A fight starts, and just as Sears is about to stab Simms, who has the empty revolver pointed at the crook and who pulls the trigger, Ned fires unseen by the others and Sears is killed. Simms thinks he has killed him, and giving away to his grief, tries to revive Sears, and does not see the youth steal from the curtain, grab up the empty revolver and leave. Simms is arrested and indicted for murder in the first degree. Against his command, Florida takes the stand and bares her life. She relates how Sears deceived her when she was young and innocent, and of her continued bad life until she met her husband. The jury releases Simms, who, horrified at the thought of being a murderer, resolves to part from his wife, whom he reverences more than before. He does not consider himself worthy of her. Officer Ryan, ambitious for promotion, and suspecting Ned knows more than has been brought out, follows him and learns enough to make him suspicious. Simms has returned home and is preparing to leave. Officer Ryan follows Ned to Simms' house. Ned becomes alarmed and takes to the roof. Just as Simms is leaving, Ned rushes in, wounded and bleeding from the revolver of his pursuer, and confesses that he killed Sears. Ned dies and Florida and Luke are reunited.
- Frank Austin, a soldier, one day sees Colonel Kinkaid, his superior officer, abusing a little lame newsboy, and in a passion knocks the coward down. He is court-martialed for this and given a sentence of five years. That night the newsboy aids him to escape from the guardhouse, and Austin sets out for Colorado. Thomas Doyle is a professor of languages in a college and lives happily with his wife, Mary, and Kitty, his sister. His wife's health has been failing for some time, and at last the doctor tells them the only hope for her is that she seek a drier climate. On the way Doyle, his wife and Kitty make the acquaintance of Colonel Kinkaid, who is going to Denver on business, and makes himself useful to the party. Kinkaid wires a henchman of his, Staples, a gambler and crook. By acting as Kinkaid's agent, Staples gets Doyle to invest in worthless land, leaving Doyle with a balance of only five hundred dollars. Austin has been working a claim just above the tract bought by Doyle, and one day while he is working he is accosted by one of the natives, Old Morgan, tells him that he will never find anything there, whereupon Austin shows him some samples taken out of the claim which prove to be rich in gold. With the dry season Doyle finds everything on his land is dead and Old Morgan tells him that his land would be rich if it was irrigated, but that it is worthless as it is. Doyle is discouraged over his finances, but finds consolation in the fact that his wife is very much improved. Staples had noticed Austin working, and stealing some of the ore, takes it to Kinkaid and the two have it assayed. It proves to be very rich and they plan to work the young man out of his claim. Kitty and her brother are out hunting one day and discover Austin wounded by a blast. They pick him up and take him to Doyle's house. They find that Kinkaid has arrived at Doyle's, and made himself very much at home. Kitty is sent for water, and after she has been gone a long time, her brother goes in search of her. He finds her in the grasp of Staples. They fight and Staples confesses that Kinkaid was back of the land deal. Kinkaid recognizes Austin and makes the ex-soldier give him a partnership in his mine. The mine is developed, and Doyle accepts a position as foreman. Kinkaid has given Mrs. Doyle a revolver, and one day takes her for a hunt. Staples accosts Doyle at the mine. Doyle thrashes him and Staples swears revenge. Later, when Doyle and Kitty have gone down in the mine, Staples manages to stop the lift and prevent their escape during a blast. The blast goes off and a flood of water is released in the mine. They are rescued just in time by Austin. The water proves the key to wealth for Doyle as it irrigates his arid land. Staples is drowned. Doyle tells Kinkaid of the flooding of the mine and finds him in intimate conversation with his wife. He throws him out and demands an explanation from his wife. Mrs. Doyle, unable to explain, leaves home and goes to Denver. Austin goes to work for Doyle, his mine being flooded. He and Kitty are in love with each other, but every time he goes to take her in his arms he thinks of the sentence hanging over him and stops. Both Kitty and her brother suspect that something is wrong and finally get him to explain the cause. In the city, Kinkaid seeks every opportunity to put himself in Mary's way and finally one day she draws a gun on him and forces him out of the room. Kitty, her brother, and Austin arrive at the hotel, and while the men are seeking Kinkaid, Kitty finds her sister-in-law. The women return in time to see a fight between Doyle and Kinkaid, and Mary saves her husband's life by shooting Kinkaid in the arm. Kinkaid is forced to write a letter clearing Austin and all return to the tract. Doyle and his wife are reconciled. Some time later Austin gets his pardon and there is now nothing to hinder his marriage with Kitty.
- A woman whose life is dedicated to helping the poor and needy herself becomes poverty-stricken when her trustee steals all her money.
- In the Latin quarter of Paris live "Pinkie" Cochrane and his two pals, Sam Wellbridge and Mac MacTavish, a trio of struggling artists who take turns using Marie as their model. Suddenly Marie disappears and nothing is heard from her until a year later, when a baby is delivered to their studio with a note from their model asking them to care for baby Victor, as by the time he and the note reach them, she declares she will be dead. Twenty years later the three are now well-to-do artists and baby Victor has grown to young manhood as Victor Cochrane-MacTavish. He is about to leave for a vacation, and his three guardians write him that on his 21st birthday they will open an account of $5,000 to start him out right in life. He hastens into the room to thank them for their kindness, and there he meets Cochrane's niece Olive and her mother; it is hoped by all that Victor and Olive will marry. Victor arrives at the mountain resort and becomes very popular, especially when it is learned that he is the adopted son of Cochrane and MacTavish. At the same hotel are social pirates Angelina and her companion Peckoff, who determine to enslave Victor. It's easy for Angelina, with her knowledge of the world, to win the boy's admiration. When she returns to the city he follows her, forgetting all about Olive in his new infatuation. Back at the old home the three pals are planning a big blow-out for Victor's 21st birthday, but they're forced to go on with the dinner without him as Angelina has prevailed upon him to have dinner with her that night. Victor returns home in the early-morning hours very much the worse for drink, and tells Cochrane of his infatuation for Angelina. Cochrane determines to break up the boy's infatuation and begins taking Angelina around. One day when Victor calls at her house, he is refused admittance; he forces his way in and finds Cochrane with his arms around Angelina. He strikes the old man and leaves in a fury. A good-sized check disposes of Angelina and her companion for good and when Victor returns to the house. MacTavish and Wellbridge both begin to malign Cochrane. This is too much for Victor and he hastens out to find Cochrane and apologize. On the way he sees Olive and his old love for her returns. He invites her to dinner that night, which he says his guardians are giving in honor of his engagement to her. As the story ends the three artists and Victor and Olive are having a royal celebration, and the future looks very bright.
- Joan, a country girl, elopes with Ned Templeton, a young artist. They are married and go to Paris. For a time they are happy, then poverty overtakes them and Ned falls ill. Joan cannot make any money and he is dying because he has no food and no medicine to build up his strength. An art dealer has seen Joan and fallen in love with her. He offers her money to come to his rooms. She refuses, but finally, driven by Ned's great necessity, she goes. Ned believes the money has come from her father. He recovers and to avoid the man, Joan persuades him to go to America. In this new land success comes to Ned through Cartwright, a millionaire, and his daughter, Helen, who has become attracted to the artist. Joan realizes that Ned is being led away from her. Cartwright buys a picture from Ned, called "The Primrose Path," for which Joan was the model. Ned is painting Helen's portrait. When it is finished Cartwright installs Ned in a fine studio. Realizing that Joan would be out of place, he suggests that she remain in their cheap flat for a time. This almost breaks her heart, but she bows to his decision. As time goes on Helen and Ned are thrown more together and spend all their hours in each other's company. Ned's visits to Joan are fewer and fewer. Finally he sends her a check and a curt note telling her he can't see her that week. She understands and returns the check saying she is his wife, not his mistress. Then she disappears. Refusing to accept Ned's support, she poses for a livelihood. In an art school which Ned has been made director she comes face to face with her husband. He upbraids her for being a model and she turns on him, saying it is the only thing she could do. Helen arrives on the scene to take Ned away to a dance. He slips out and the women face each other. "Why, you're the girl in The Primrose Path," says Helen. "Yes, and I am also Ned's wife," retorts Joan. Then, clutching the younger girl's shoulder, she forces her to listen to a story of the poverty of their Paris days when she sacrificed her body, her soul and her honor to keep Ned alive. "Oh, my father will recompense you," says Helen. Joan laughs, loud and shrill. "You're up for sale, Ned," she tells her husband who returns at that moment. She looks from one to the other and tells Helen she gives Ned to her. But her heart is broken. Ned begins to repent; things do not please him; he feels that he wants only his wife and the old days again. Helen tries to allure him in every way, but all is useless. Cartwright, seeing his spoiled daughter unhappy, decides to buy Joan over to give Ned his legal freedom. He sends for Joan, who comes. They tell Ned she has come to accept a large sum for him. He does not believe this, and so confident are they that this is what the woman, will do that they hide Ned behind a portiere to watch the scene between his wife and Cartwright. When Joan comes the millionaire offers $100,000. She cannot understand. Then she looks at Helen and knows that they are trying to buy Ned from her. She turns on the girl, "You knew what I had done for him," she says, "and yet you thought I would accept money for him." Sadly she turns to go away alone, but Ned had heard enough. Rushing out, he takes her into his arms, pleading for forgiveness, and Joan sees that his heart is hers again.
- In the morning, the butler finds the library door locked; upon investigating, he finds his master's body inside. The police investigation develops the fact that the husband, the wife, and a friend were together in the library the previous night, an argument arose, and hot words ensued. The husband ordered the friend out of the house despite the wife's pleas, and the friend angrily vowed that the husband would regret his actions. The butler is the chief witness and things look black for the wife. The friend is taken into custody and charged with the murder. A detective is called to work on the case, and after a very careful examination he discovers, hanging above the mantel, a shield and a heavy sword. The husband had been killed by a blow from this sword, but how? He has a theory and determines to prove it. He has several witnesses present; he replaces the sword and shield and pours water upon the fastenings of the shield; the water swells the thongs that bind the sword to the shield; they burst and fall to the floor, thus proving the fact that during the heavy rains of the night before, a leak had sprung in the wall, wetting the thongs and letting the sword fall, thus striking the husband and causing his death. In view of the fact that his death was not caused by human hands, the friend is released.
- Lemuel Morewood is a wealthy businessman to whom riches bring no pleasure because he has entirely lost the sympathy of his sons, for whom he lives. Billy is society-mad and completely enthralled by Mrs. Bruce Guilford, a leader of the smart set. Tom thinks of nothing but sports; he is an amateur athlete of national prominence. Lemuel longs to see the boys interested in the business. He especially wants Tom to marry Frances Berkeley and Billy to marry Emily Donelson. But the boys will have none of them. Bessie Brayton is a Western orphan who has come to New York and taken up society entertaining for a living. Her only property is a half-interest in the Bluebird mine, which she supposes is worthless. One evening, the Morewoods employ Bessie to entertain at an exclusive dinner they are giving, and here she meets Major Bellamy Didsworth, who offers to sell her half-interest for her. Lemuel has run away from this dinner. But, goaded by Bessie's taunts that he is old-fashioned, he gets into his evening clothes and enters into the gambling that follows. Bessie encourages him and he cleans up on Didsworth, as the others look on, staggered by his plunging. Leaving them dazed, Lemuel makes a spectacular exit with Bessie to "blow his winnings." Lemuel keeps up the pace he has set. He goes to the races and there his conduct is so riotous, and his followers, Bessie and a sporting man, so conspicuous, that Mrs. Bruce Guildford is scandalized. She criticizes Lemuel to his son. Billy defends his father, and the quarrel results in a complete break. Bessie has a telegram from Didsworth saying he can get $1,000 for her stock. Lemuel suspects that Didsworth is planning to rob her and takes the matter into his own hands. He and Bessie go out to Nevada together. Lemuel's sons think he has run away to get married to Bessie, and they follow, with Emily, Frances, and Ford, the family lawyer. Out in Nevada, Lemuel and Bessie find that her half of the Bluebird is worth at least $75,000, and they discover that the other half is owned by Carl Higbee, Bessie's old sweetheart who disappeared in Alaska. On the way to Nevada, Tom becomes engaged to Emily and Billy to Frances, which is exactly contrary to what Lemuel planned. They arrive in time to stop the wedding, as they think, and are mortified to learn that they are all wrong, and that Bessie is to be married to Higbee. Lemuel is delighted that his sons are bringing the girls into the family, although they have shifted partners. Lemuel agrees to go back and help the boys run the business.
- Humphrey Lane is a gentleman of the old school and a lifelong friend of his neighbor, Mr. Gilbert. Their favorite idea is to perpetuate their friendship by a marriage between Lane's son Rodney and Gilbert's daughter Evelyn. The son and daughter have no objection, as they already love each other without waiting for their parents' sanction. While the two fathers drink to the proposed marriage, the young people stroll in the garden. The old Black butler summons them to hear the old mens' plan and a betrothal follows. After a celebration supper, the couple wanders off while the fathers discuss politics. They disagree, quarrel violently, and ruthlessly declare that the couple shall not marry. Evelyn implores her father to relent, but in vain. Sorrow-stricken, she returns to her rooms, where she falls unconscious, overcome with grief. As the days go on she grows weaker and weaker. She implores her father to let her see Rodney, but he is obdurate. Downstairs the old man writes in his diary the record of his obstinacy and says that his pride will not let him yield. He keeps the diary in a secret panel in the chimneypiece. A week later, after a scene with his father in which he tries to change his resolve, Rodney takes matters into his own hands and goes to Gilbert to apologize in his father's stead. But he comes too late: Evelyn has succumbed to her grief and her father can only tell Rodney that she is dead. In his misery, Rodney wildly curses Gilbert who, overwhelmed with remorse, shoots himself as the clock strikes 12, after recording the outcome of his pride in his diary and leaving a warning for his descendants. 100 years later Edythe Gilbert, his descendant and heiress to the old home, where she lives with her father, is in love with young Arnold, but her father prefers someone else for her. Edythe and Arnold plan to elope, but as she meets him that night in his automobile she is seen by her father's choice, who hurriedly summons him, and they start off in another automobile in pursuit of the couple. Edythe and Arnold reach the minister's house and Arnold goes in to arrange their marriage, leaving Edythe in the car. Her father and his favorite arrive while Arnold is gone, and insist upon her returning with them. Arnold comes out, sees them, and follows them home. In the hall of the old house Edythe runs to him and an angry scene is about to happen when the clock strikes 12. The shadow of the Gilbert ancestor appears. He goes to the secret panel and reveals the diary. Hardly able to believe his eyes, Edythe's father takes the book and reads there the warning against obdurate pride. He gives way, and the lovers are restored to each other.