- Poor Molly O'Toole takes a job as housekeeper at the country home of wealthy Mrs. J. Van Ranselear Todd. Arriving at "Castle Crags," Molly is mistaken by the villagers for Mrs. Todd, and decides to continue the masquerade, thus attracting the attentions of Captain Hancock, her wealthy neighbor. Meanwhile Mrs. Todd's roguish son Algernon has purchased a donkey and cart from peddler Joe Holmes and is traveling through the country when he arrives at Castle Crags to discover Molly masquerading as his mother. Deciding not to reveal his own identity or expose Molly, Algernon takes a job as her chauffeur. The two fall in love and Algernon begs Molly to marry him, but she is reluctant to part with the captain's millions. A series of events makes Molly believe that her chauffeur has become a forger on her account, however, and she realizes her love for him. She resolves to give up the captain, but at that point Mrs. Todd arrives, claims Algernon as her son and welcomes Molly as her future daughter-in-law.—Pamela Short
- Molly O'Toole, a young woman of good family with a very small income, can find no employment in her town so comes to the city. She fails to find work, and becomes destitute. She applies to the Y.W.C.A. for a position. Mrs. Todd is leaving for Honolulu and she wishes her country home to be in condition for occupancy when she returns. Molly is glad to get the job and starts for Mrs. Todd's home. Mrs. Todd's son, Algernon, is lazy but has a sense of humor. Algernon meets Joe Holmes, itinerant peddler, who enjoys life behind a pair of donkeys. Algernon buys the whole outfit. Holmes humorously suggests that Algernon take his name also, presenting him with printed cards. Algernon drives his purchase to the Todd stables. Entering the grounds, he sees Molly coming out after a satisfactory interview with Mrs. Todd. His mother explains she is their new housekeeper and a fine young woman. Mrs. Todd goes to Honolulu, and Algernon, now Joe Holmes, starts out to "See America First." Molly goes to Crags Corners, the Todd home, empowered to "hire and fire" and with a checking account in the bank. At the Corners she is taken for Mrs. Todd, and as a joke she allows the natives to believe so. Captain Hancock, possessor of twenty millions, is captivated at first glance. He calls, but Molly does not tell who she really is; it is such a lark to play the lady of this estate. Molly feels that she must dress her part and draws heavily upon her allowance. She determines to marry Captain Hancock and be freed from poverty. Algernon returns to Craigs Corners, which he has never seen. He is surprised to learn of Mrs. Todd's presence. He determines to unmask the intruder, but when he has met Molly his stern resolve fades and he finds himself seeking and receiving the post of chauffeur to "Mrs. Todd," driving his own car for the interloper and continuing to hide his real identity under the name of Holmes. Molly and Algernon become friends, but Molly determines to win Hancock for his money. Algernon as Joe Holmes, the chauffeur, is deeply in love with Molly before long, and she reciprocates the feeling. Her love makes her incapable of deceiving "Joe," and one day she confesses to him. He is secretly overjoyed at her honesty, and proposes to her, retaining himself as Holmes. Molly confesses that she loves him, but sadly admits that she is going to marry for Hancock's money. Algernon is grieved, but does not feel that it is as yet time to disclose his identity. When Hancock proposes Molly finds it difficult to accept him. She is made miserable. She confesses to Hancock. He says he loves her and wants to marry her. She asks for a couple of days to think it over. Meanwhile the real Joe Holmes stops off at Crags Corners to elude justice which is dogging his footsteps as a forger. He recognizes Algernon, and sees that Molly is not Algernon's mother and that she does not know who Algernon is. He decides that he can make Molly think he is Algernon Todd, and so give him shelter until the search for "Joe Holmes" is past. Algernon asks him to say nothing to Molly about his (Algernon's) real identity. Holmes goes to Molly, says he is the real Algernon Todd, and denounces her as an impostor. She is frightened and accedes to his request that nothing be said of his presence until his "mother" returns. Molly gladly promises him the run of the house. Hancock calls for his answer, and Molly has almost made up her mind that it is to be "yes." Their interview is interrupted by Holmes, who goes to the library and does not want to be disturbed. He has learned that the police are on his track and getting nearer. Molly returns to Hancock in the drawing room, but his pleading is again interrupted by the arrival of the constable, who have received orders from the New York police to arrest one "Joe Holmes." Molly is frantic with fear for Joe's safety and says she will go get him. She runs to him at the garage and begs him to make his escape. Algernon has to be told the whole story before he understands. Her love for him makes her tell him the truth, that she has not been able to forget him long enough to accept Hancock. She declares her allegiance in spite of anything that he may have done. Overjoyed, Algernon takes her in his arms and then to her great alarm he refuses to flee. He goes with Molly to the house. The constable tries to arrest Algernon as Holmes, but the boy asserts his identity as young Todd. The constable is not convinced. Molly is bewildered and begs "Joe" to insist that he is Mr. Todd, as Mr. Todd is even at that moment in the library. Holmes comes out then and tries to brazen it out. Algernon denounces him. Mrs. J. Van Rensselaer Todd sails in. She asks Algernon "What on earth is the matter?" and matters start to straighten themselves out. The constable takes a firm grip upon Mr. Holmes and exits with him. Hancock makes his exit unobtrusively when he sees Molly in the pseudo-chauffeur's arms, and to Mrs. Todd Algernon's only explanation is that Molly is the future Mrs. Algernon Todd. Mrs. Todd is pleased at Algernon's choice as a wife, and everything ends pleasantly for Molly.
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