- Married to a spy who seeks to induce her to betray her country, the daughter of the American Ambassador to Belmark welcomes the news of her husband's death not knowing that he has merely staged a deception. She becomes the morganatic wife of Prince Leopold, of Belmark, but renounces the marriage that war may be avoided, only to learn that the new alliance means a still greater war. She persuades Leopold to renounce the compact, then saves his life by throwing herself between him and an exploding bomb, but the story does not end there.—Moving Picture World synopsis
- Marion Ashley is the daughter of the newly-appointed American Minister to Belmark. She marries Franz Jorn, an artist. They live in Paris. Jorn is also a spy in the employ of an Imperial Government in Europe, and endeavors to persuade Marion to betray the secrets of the American Government which he knows her father possesses. Marion refuses; Jorn is enraged, knowing Ashley dislikes him and he cannot secure the coveted information himself. Ashley has taken up his portfolio in Belmark. He visits Paris, but avoids Jorn. Jorn has aroused the suspicions of Morhange, a French police agent, and he searches Jorn's studio and discovers proofs that Jorn is a spy. Jorn surprises him. There is a struggle. Morhange is killed. Jorn takes a ring from his own finger, places it upon Morhange's hand and burns the studio. The charred body is identified as that of Jorn, and Marion, at her father's request, leaves with him for Belmark. Jorn reports to his own government. In Belmark Marion meets the Crown Prince Leopold. They fall in love and Marion consents to a morganatic marriage. Jorn, under an assumed name, goes to Belmark at the command of his Emperor to incite the people against war. Marion marries Leopold. Jorn's master sends an ultimatum to the King of Belmark that unless Leopold weds the Princess Sophia (the Emperor's cousin) war will be declared and Belmark devastated. The people of Belmark, under Jorn's domination, demand peace. They throng the square before the palace. Leopold refuses to renounce Marion. Marion is summoned to the Council Chamber. The Emperor's envoy warns her Belmark will be laid in ruins. Marion makes the supreme renunciation that Belmark may have peace. Then the envoy, triumphant, betrays the fact that it is a trap and Belmark is to be an ally of the Imperial Government in a war of greed. Marion is horror-stricken. She refuses to give up Leopold. The envoy plays his trump card. Jorn is announced. Marion is dazed at seeing Jorn alive, realizes that she has never been the wife of Leopold. The Imperial Government will triumph. Ashley demanding an audience with the King says that America will protect the neutrality of Belmark. Marion begs Leopold to tell the good news to the surging crowd in the square. On the balcony of the palace Leopold addresses his people. Says America will protect his Kingdom and theirs. Jorn gives the signal that has been decided on in the event of failure of the Imperial plans. Leopold is to be killed. A bomb is thrown at Leopold by one of Jorn's confederates. Marion sees it, hurls herself in front of Leopold. The huge balcony collapses as Jorn enters from the palace at the side and is killed by a section of falling marble. In the ruins of the balcony Marion's body is found. She is badly hurt. Leopold is unscathed. There is a period of unconsciousness and suffering. The people of Belmark mourn for the brave American girl, then they know that Marion's life will be saved.
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