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- David Quixans. a young Jewish violinist living in the town of Kishineff, Russia, is left an orphan through the massacre of the orthodox Jews upon the "Black Easter" of Russia, when under the leadership of Baron Revandel, Governor of Kishineff, who has been commissioned by the Czar to baptize one-third and massacre one-third of all the Jews in Russia, he is left orphaned in his ruined home. The sympathy of Vera, the daughter of the Baron, is aroused in connection with the Jewish outrage of which she is a witness. While upon an errand of mercy, she attracts the attention of the Czar's spies and is subsequently made a prisoner, where her father refuses to recognize her and she is sentenced to Siberia. A Jewish woman who wishes to join her husband in Siberia induces Vera to change places with her and Vera successfully makes her escape upon a trading vessel bound for America. David is exiled with the Jews to America. He joins his uncle in "The Music Master" and "Grandmother" in New York. Vera in America finds employment in a Russian Mission upon the East Side, where she attracts the attention, by her beauty and culture, of Quincy Davenport, a patron of music in search of genius upon the East Side. Vera interests Davenport in David, whom she has met, and Davenport offers to send him abroad to study, realizing the possibilities of his music. David refuses to be patronized by a man who had no greater aim in life than amusement. Instead, he interests a German music master in a wonderful symphony symbolic of the amalgamation of all the foreign races in the great "melting pot" of America. David and Vera through a bond of music find themselves in love with each other to the horror of David's uncle, who considers David false to his race in loving a Christian. Davenport cables Vera's father of her presence in America and her engagement to a common Jew peddler. The Baron hastens to America, where meeting Vera he reproaches her for forgetting her country and birth. Vera finally induces him to meet David. Throughout the year the memory of the man who ordered the massacre that left him an orphan has been an obsession with David, and when he sees and recognizes in Vera's father the specter of the past, he is overcome with horror, declaring that a river of blood separates them forever. Overcome with sorrow, the Baron offers to let David take his life, but at the crucial moment David discovers a broken string upon his violin and realizes that rage had for the moment swept aside the brotherhood of the great land of the free. He controls himself and leaves the Baron. The great symphony finished, David appears before a brilliant audience and is proclaimed a genius. The audience is swept to its feet with enthusiasm as the music vividly portrays the saving of all the races in the great crucible of the "melting pot" of America. Overpowered by his success, David leaves the theater seeking refuge in the solemn quiet of the night, where he is followed by Vera, who convinces him that here in the new land all race prejudice has been swept aside and love and liberty can walk unmolested together.
- Old Weatherby, a broken down tramp, finds a friend in a passerby. With money given him by the good Samaritan, Weatherby starts off to satisfy his hunger. He is attracted by some theater posters announcing the performance of the drama, "Youth." The pangs of hunger urge him to buy food, but the play of "Youth" calls him and he spends his money to witness the play. It is the story of his own youth, of the years he wasted. Harry and June were child sweethearts in an orphanage at Cedarville. They grow up together, Harry becoming a machinist in a village factory and June a milliner's apprentice. As they grew older they planned to marry, but the young man was summoned to a big city where he was informed that he had inherited a vast amount of money, left him by his uncle. The fortune is turned over to the young man and he lingers among the white lights. The village physician is also in love with June, but she does not encourage his attentions and openly makes known that she is betrothed to Harry. A desire to see a little of life takes a hold on Harry and be visits one of the roof gardens where Bohemians gather. "Billie," a woman of the world, and Robert Leslie, her friend, are attracted by the strange actions of the country boy. The woman plans to catch him in her net and Leslie helps to pave the way by bidding her a hasty good-night, to leave her to fascinate Harry. Her charms set Harry's brain in a whirl. One night at the roof garden, Leslie "dares" Harry to marry "Billie," for such is the trap set by the two schemers. Hypnotized by the woman and his brain dull from wine, Harry consents and the party hurries to a Justice of the Peace and the ceremony takes place. Not until the next day does Harry realize what he has done. In the meantime June's heart has wilted and she wonders for her lover. She goes to the city to seek him and there confronts Harry with the woman. June is heartbroken at the news of the wedding. June returns to the country and the young physician, still pleading his love for her, she marries him and they establish a happy home. Gradually "Billie" extracts the wealth of her husband and so great is his love for her that he is blind to her sham love for him. Suddenly his eyes are opened when he finds his wife and Leslie scheming against him in his own home. A scene follows, Harry ordering Leslie from the house with a demand never to return and the woman then betrays her real attitude toward Harry. As Harry broods, his wife gathers her belongings together and elopes with Leslie, although it is the eve of her motherhood. Through a detective agency Harry tries to trace his wife and her would-be lover. Four years have passed and Harry has used every means to find his wife and child without result. Leslie has sunken to the level of a common crook, deserted "Billie," who, heartbroken at her folly, passes to another world. The little daughter is left in a wretched condition in a dirty tenement room. The child goes out into the open in a drenching rain and looking for shelter climbs into an unoccupied automobile. Soon Harry enters the machine, discovers the child, and takes her home. That night, Leslie and some of his associates go out on a burglarizing expedition. Masked, Leslie climbs into the living room of Harry's apartment, a struggle follows and the mask is torn from his face. The little child is aroused by the noise and as she appears, Leslie makes known that it is Harry's own daughter. As the father clings to the child, Leslie steals away. The following day Harry resolves to return to Cedarville. As he and his little "Pal" near the town, Harry sees the scenes of his happy childhood. The swimming pool appeals to him and he attires himself in a bathing suit and plunges into the water. A gypsy and his family come across the automobile belonging to Harry and likewise the man's clothes. These the gypsy appropriates to his own use and leaving his wagon behind rides away with his family in style. When "Little Pal" and her father are ready to go they are forced to use the abandoned wagon and Harry attires himself in the clothes left by the gypsy. Reaching the town of Cedarville, the child has taken sick and Harry goes to the town doctor. He learns of the marriage of June and the physician and after getting medicine, starts off to lead the life of a gypsy. For months he and his daughter travel near the outskirts of the village until the child is suddenly taken very ill and dies. He takes the body back to the scene of his younger days and there makes a little grave. The play of "Youth" is ended. The crowd leaves the theater and "Old Weatherby" remains unmoved. An usher shakes him and then draws back, realizing that the old man has passed away.
- At the zoo where she is performing with wild animals Mrs. Fairfield, daughter of George Winters, recognizing Mancey, a gentleman crook, who had been the cause of her father's downfall and untimely death, and who has since disappeared. The sight of him again overcomes her with conflicting emotions and she forgets her part with the animals until she is in danger. Her husband, Fairfield, springs into the arena and saves her. Mancey writes a note to Mrs. Fairfield demanding that she meet him. The note falls into the hands of Fairfield, who, without a word, has it delivered to his wife. He determines to be at the meeting place. Mancey demands money from her under penalty of exposing the life of her father. Fairfield, overhearing the demand, is moved to step out and interfere, but he realizes that to do so would bring public disgrace upon his wife. Mrs. Fairfield feels the sting of Mancey's words and is lost in retrospection. Mancey's mind also reverts to the past. A plan suggests itself to Mrs. Fairfield. She whispers to Mancey to come to her home, late that night. At a signal she will admit him and pay the money he asks. The words please Mancey, but they do not escape the listening ears of Fairfield. Was his wife really going to accede to the demands of Mancey? Engrossed in thought, Fairfield returned to the arena. He came face to face with Nero, the lion, his especial pet, and his wife's, too. He stroked Nero's mane and then an idea came to him. Why not let the lion have a little joy out of this? He was one of the family: the woman, the lion and the man. At the appointed time Mancey lay in waiting for the signal. She expressed the wish to retire. Fairfield bid her an affectionate good-night. In her dresser lay her revolver. She brought it out and after satisfying herself that all was quiet extinguished the light. It was the signal. Mancey cautiously made his way to the window while Mrs. Fairfield noiselessly made her way towards the room where the money was kept. Mancey was safely inside; the curtains part and he sees a lion. It is a duel in the dark between man and Nero, the lion Mr. Fairfield brought to revenge his wife's torments. In the other room, where Fairfield has been waiting, his wife encounters him. They both hear the lion's roar and the fall of bodies. Mrs. Fairfield almost collapses. Fairfield takes the revolver from her hand, helps her to a chair and rushes into the room where Mancey had met his fatal Waterloo.
- A district attorney is set up for blackmail by appearing to be at a restaurant with a girl that is not his wife.
- The first scene shows a number of convicts working in a quarry. The brutality of one of the guards causes one of the convicts to strike the guard and makes a desperate attempt to escape. After several exciting adventures the convict takes refuge in the home of Professor Brown. The Professor has left his wife at home alone and he has gone to the home of a friend to meet some fellow scientists who have gathered to investigate the powers of the noted spiritualist "medium" Seera. This medium possesses a ball of pure crystal and he claims and proves that when he places his hands over the ball any person who gazes into the crystal will see a vision of some happening, past, present or future, in the life of a loved one. Professor Brown gazes into the ball and sees his wife bound to a chair, surrounded by the smoke and flames of a burning room. The ball has given a vision of part of what has happened since Brown left his wife in their peaceful home. The convict has tied Mrs. Brown to a chair to prevent her from alarming the servants while he goes upstairs in search of clothes to take the place of his convict stripes. The brave woman makes her way into the adjoining library, and after knocking the receiver off with her teeth, she is about to telephone for assistance, when the convict enters and cuts the wire. On his way out the convict upsets the lamp, and the carpet and furniture take fire as he leaves the room. Entirely helpless, the poor woman is almost maddened with terror as she sees smoke, and later, flames, coming through the door. She struggles to release herself, but she cannot loosen the rope that binds her to the chair. The Professor, in his friend's automobile, is seen dashing along the roads at a furious rate; but suddenly he comes to a stop, and the agonized husband is informed by the chauffeur that the machinery has broken. There is no other vehicle in sight. But Brown races off on foot, with but one thought, to save his wife. Meanwhile, the prison guards in pursuit of the escaped convict have borrowed a buggy and are rapidly driving down the road, when they see their man and capture him. Brown, running along, finds the buggy. In a moment he is driving at a tremendous speed toward his home. Here follow scenes that will thrill every man, woman and child, in every audience that sees this film. Scenes showing the wife making agonized attempts to release herself and escape from the approaching flames, are followed by others showing the Professor driving for life along country roads, then up the city boulevard, then alighting at his home from which smoke and flames are coming. He dashes into the house, through the rooms full of fire and smoke until he reaches the library. It is the work of only a few seconds to release his wife. But great danger now confronts the devoted pair. Seizing the table cloth and wrapping it around his wife's head, the Professor makes a quick dash through the burning rooms out into the fresh air, which quickly revives his wife. Kneeling down, the Professor and his wife give thanks to the Providence that has spared their lives.
- Andrea Jennessen, an explorer, is in love with Nadina Rolph. Pride prevents him from asking her hand, however, until he has won fame and fortune. Bannington Wells also covets the girl and just prior to the departure of Jennessen's expedition to find the North Pole he makes a pact with Mike Kerrigan, a sailor aboard the exploration ship, to prevent Jennessen's return alive. Jennessen sets sail. Weeks pass and the ship reaches the Arctic Circle. Kerrigan, to carry out his compact with Wells, stirs the sailors to mutiny, and Jennessen is thrown overboard. Instinctively he begins to swim as he strikes water and just as he is about exhausted he manages to reach an iceberg floating in the sea on which four polar bears make their home. The following morning Capt. Stephassen discovers the loss of the explorer and after a vain attempt to find him turns his ship homeward. Meanwhile the ice on which Jennessen has taken refuge floats with the current to an island, whore the explorer builds an igloo of moss and stone, and by catching fish is able to subsist. Kerrigan reports the loss of Jennessen to Wells, who breaks the news to Nadina. She refuses to believe it, however, having a premonition that her lover is alive. Wells attempts to dissuade her in this belief, but having little success he acquiesces to her request that a rescue expedition be organized on condition that if Jennessen is not found she will become his wife. To this condition she consents and the ship sails. After a tempestuous voyage the ship arrives the barren island upon which Jennessen is living. Wells and Kerrigan see the igloo in the distance and hurriedly call a council in which Wells plausibly suggests that the Captain and Nadina search the island in one direction while he and Kerrigan and the rest of the crew search it in the other direction. Nadina and the Captain fall into the trap and set forth in the wrong direction while Wells and Kerrigan hurry toward the hut. They find Andrea almost exhausted. They pounce upon him and a fight follows, the hears coming to the aid of the explorer just as Nadina and the Captain arrive. The bears are beaten off, Jennessen cared for and the two conspirators made prisoners. The return trip marks a happy reunion.
- Allan Dwight, sheriff, and Jean Belleau, a young French surveyor, live in Circle City. They bear such a striking resemblance that they can hardly be distinguished one from the other. Jean has a half-wit brother, Paul, whom Holden, a political crook, teases and bullies. Dwight catches him in the act, thrashes him, and incurs the enmity of the bully. That night Holden and Pascal, a Mexican, meet McFadden to get from him their share of money contributed by Senator Thurston tor certain nefarious undertakings. McFadden does not turn over what Holden and Pascal consider their rightful share and they vow vengeance. Their opportunity comes when Paul, the half-wit, in trying to enter McFadden's outhouse to get his runaway dog, is menaced by McFadden. Pascal fires at McFadden, killing him, and then throws the gun and Paul beside the dead man. When the crowd, which is attracted by the shot, gathers around, Holden accuses Paul of the murder, and incites the mob to lynch him. Bob Clayton, a friend of Jean's, attempts to stay them, but, being unsuccessful, he hurries to notify Jean and Dwight. Dwight arrives first and tries to circumvent the mob's fury. A struggle follows in the course of which Dwight is thrown against the barrel upon which Paul is standing and the boy is hung. Jean arrives and swears vengeance upon those responsible for his brother's death. Dwight is in love with Evelyn, the daughter of Senator Thurston, who is in control of the party known as the Thurston gang. Dwight makes his feelings known in the matter of the gang's activities, and Evelyn feels that her father is the brunt of his remarks. Dwight, however, continues his course of attempting to stamp out the work of the gang. A month or so rolls by and a mysterious bandit appears. After each successful robbery he leaves a note signed "The Devil." He becomes so daring that a vigilante committee is organized to capture him. In his mountain lair it is seen that "the devil" is none other than Jean Belleau. His lieutenants are Clayton and Holden, the latter having confessed to Jean that Pascal was his brother's murderer, causing Jean to end the Mexican's existence. Holden has grown jealous of Jean and makes known the bandit's identity to two detectives, advising them that he may be known by his horse, which is branded with the form of a pitchfork. When Jean goes to town he is pursued by the officers, but escapes capture by hiding in Dwight's automobile. Dwight learns that he is in his car, and desirous to save the good that is in him, Dwight permits the bandit to take his car to escape while he takes charge of Jean's horse. Jean returns the car the next morning and leaves with it a note saying that he has decided to give up his lawless life. Soon after Jean leaves after extracting a promise from his friend, Clayton, that he, too. will also abandon the lite of an outlaw. Holden assumes the leadership of the gang and plans a bold daylight robbery, proposing to assume the character of "The Devil." Clayton overhears the plot and determines to frustrate it for the sake of "The Devil's" name. In the attempt Clayton is shot by Holden, who, with his gang, escapes to the mountain retreat. When Dwight hears of the robbery and is told that "The Devil" is responsible, he determines to seek out Jean and either make a man of him or bring him back a prisoner. He starts out on Jean's horse. Meanwhile the vigilante committee is also bent upon entering the bandit mountain stronghold. Holden was badly wounded in the affray at the bank. Holden wounds Dwight, and noting the remarkable resemblance between the sheriff and Jean, he places evidences of the bank robbery upon the man he has wounded. So the posse finds Dwight, and of course, their natural assumption is that Dwight has been the bandit. Dwight is taken back to town and arraigned before the authorities. An account of the bandit's career is printed in the papers and attributed to Dwight. Jean, speeding eastward on a train, reads the story, and realizing the situation, wires back to the Circle City authorities to stop prosecution until he arrives. He does return and Dwight is released from custody. The police are anxious to run down Holden and offer Jean certain clemency if he will lead them to the mountain stronghold, where Holden and his men are hidden. Jean consents to avenge the death of his friend Clayton, at Holden's bands. When Jean and the posse arrive a pitched battle takes place. At last Jean and Holden meet. After a terrific fight Jean succeeds in rolling Holden over to the edge of a cliff. Holden falls over it, but Jean, with a firm grip upon his wrists, holds him suspended in midair as he himself lies at the edge of the cliff on his breast. One of the bandits takes aim and fires at Jean. As the bullet enters his body Jean, with a convulsive movement, loosens his hold on Holden's wrists and the latter is dashed on the rocks thousands of feet below. Jean struggles to his feet and tries to make his way back to the posse, but only succeeds in reaching his faithful horse and at her side he falls. Meanwhile Dwight has recovered from his wounds and found a happy resting place in the arms of Evelyn.
- Mrs. Pensonby Smythe is the frivolous young wife of an elderly millionaire whom she does not love. Mrs. Smythe's younger sister, Grace, is a member of the family. Mrs. Smythe secretly accompanies "Billie" Carrington, a social adventurer, to "The House of the Mask," a notorious gambling palace where the rich play in secret with masked faces. Belmont Blair, a gentleman gambler, sees and recognizes Mrs. Smythe when her mask accidentally falls from her face. Later in the evening Blair comes to her defense when Carrington makes a drunken attack upon her in a private lounging room in the gambling house. In the ensuing struggle Carrington is accidentally killed. Blair gets Mrs. Smythe out of the house before the body is discovered and with his aid she reaches home without detection. Captain Radcliffe, a noted criminal investigator, takes the case and in a pocket of the dead man's coat he finds a curious fan, the property of Mrs. Smythe. When Mrs. Smythe misses the fan, she is distraught and again turns to Blair for help. A costume ball is given at the Smythe country home in honor of the "coming out" of Grace, the younger sister, and Radcliffe and Blair are both present. Beside the fan, Radcliffe has evidence in his possession which convinces him Blair is the guilty man. Blair meets Grace and the two fall in love. That night he cleverly steals the fan from Radcliffe's room but is seen by Radcliffe himself. To escape Radcliffe, Blair is forced to take refuge in a room which proves to be Grace's sleeping-room and rather than compromise the girl by being discovered there he leaps from a window to the ground many feet below. The next morning Radcliffe discovers Blair in the act of burning the fan in a fireplace grate. He attempts to rescue it from the fire but Blair holds him back until the sole evidence against Mrs. Smythe has been destroyed. Radcliffe then produces his evidence against Blair and accuses him of killing Carrington. Blair is forced to admit his guilt, and although it would save him to divulge the woman's name, he remains silent. His love for the woman's sister and his own heart prompt him to sacrifice himself for a woman's reputation.
- Marion, who has kept house for her father since her mother's death, has two suitors, Rufus Strong, the village blacksmith, and Eph Little, the village beau brummel. She favors the latter and marries him. After their marriage Eph becomes a loafer, and Marion does the work, greatly to her father's disgust. One of the village boys has become a sailor and comes home with the wonderful tales of the sights he has seen, and Eph decides that that is the only thing that will make a man of him. He steals off with the family wealth. The father, hearing someone moving about in the living room, decides to investigate, and gets to the door in time to see Eph remove the money from the old sock, but doesn't stop him as he is glad to get rid of him. Months later the villagers learn that the ship on which Eph sailed was lost with every soul aboard, and immediately inform Marion. After a long period of mourning, Marion marries Rufus, but still worships her dead hero. Meanwhile Eph is tossed up on an unchartered island, and is rescued by the natives, and being the only white man on the island, is worshiped by all of the women, much to the displeasure of the natives. A ship being blown out of her course by a storm, sends ashore for water, and the captain offers to take Eph back to civilization, but he is too well pleased where he is, and refuses to go with them. As the crew starts back for the ship the natives beg them to take the bad man away, which they finally succeed in doing. Like the proverbial bad penny Eph turns up and walks right into the house, not knowing that his wife has re-married and has a child, but notwithstanding this fact she rushes into his arms like a happy child. Rufus tells Marion to choose between he and their child or Eph, and she decides to stick to the father of her child.
- Captain Delmar resumes command of Tower Post, India, after an absence of twenty years. In his commission is an order to make a secret investigation of some famous jewels, which are indemnity to the English crown and have mysteriously disappeared. The Rajah selim, an Indian prince, while reading the official communication that he is to pay his allegiance to Captain Delmar, relives the past, a past or hatred for the captain who, when a young man, was successful in winning of the heart of Tara, a Harem favorite of the prince. Captain Delmar really loved the Indian girl, and upon being called back to England, resolves to marry her. When he returns to the garden to get the girl, he finds her dead body. Her death is clothed in mystery and the young captain believes that she has been murdered by Hindoo slaves for the wonderful jewels she wears. He proceeds in England broken-hearted, but eventually marries an English girl. It is his daughter, Dorothy, now grown to young womanhood, whom he brings to India with him upon being ordered to the Post. The Rajah has carried out a secret, but hideous revenge upon the girl Tara. It was he who had her stolen from the garden and stabbed her to death. Only the departure of the young English officer at that time had saved him from a similar fate and now that he has returned, as commanding officer of the Post, his revenge again burns deeply. With Hindoo subtlety he covers up his deep designs, giving the usual audience to the captain and his daughter. He places at the disposal of the young English girl some of his own court servants. These servants are headed by Sahan, spy, through whom the Rajah is to carry out his plot. There is a secret passage from the palace to the Post, the trap door entering to the library of the Captain. Through this secret passage the spy carries messages, and at the Rajah's command he cuts the telephone wires, intending that night to steal the Captain and his daughter and bring them to the palace. By burning the bungalow he thinks to deflect suspicion, leaving the impression that they have been burned to death. The Captain, finding the telephone wires cut, has sent Lieutenant Grey, who is the fiancé of Dorothy, to a nearby post to investigate conditions. When the lieutenant returns he finds the bungalow burned and believes, as the Rajah has intended, that the Captain and his daughter have met their fate within it. In the meantime the Rajah has the Captain and the girl in his power. He tells the Captain that he will throw him into a cell and keep Dorothy for himself. The girl, as she sees her father dragged away, almost goes mad. Soma, the present favorite, but who has never won the love of the Rajah, as his heart is with the past, realizes the awful fate that is about to overtake the English girl, but can do little to help her. Fate steps in when the girl loses her mind under the strain, and the superstition of the Rajah places her beyond the earthly pale. The lieutenant has discovered the secret passage. His suspicion aroused, he makes his way to the palace and comes upon his sweetheart and the Hindoo girl. Dorothy regains her mind when she sees her lover. When the Rajah is about to enter, Soma, now the guardian angel of Dorothy tells the lieutenant that if he is to save the Captain and his daughter he must bring help. The lieutenant escapes through the secret passage and sends to a neighboring Post for a small company of cavalry. Meanwhile the Rajah has discovered that Dorothy has regained her mind. He brings forth the jewels that once bedecked Tara. He adorns her with the jewels, has the Captain brought before him and shows him his daughter dressed as a harem favorite. He gives orders to have the beasts, lions of the royal menagerie, starved. Soma has secreted herself in Dorothy's room, with the intention of stabbing the Rajah when he comes. The Captain is dragged forth to the jungle. The Rajah goes to bring Dorothy before he shall give the final order. The young Lieutenant arrives with his company and a battle ensues, as they are denied admittance to the palace. When the Captain is freed through this timely interference, he rushes to save his daughter and arrives just in time, as the arm of the brave Soma is not strong enough to deliver the death she intends. They find upon Dorothy the jewels that are sought by the English government.
- Stanley Clark seduces innocent young Marion in a hotel room, then tears out the incriminating page from the hotel register to use for blackmailing. Years later, Marion marries Governor John Loring whose brother, Richard, overhears Clark extorting money from Marion. Richard follows Marion to Clark's room where she begs for more time to raise the required money. As Richard fights with Clark, Marion picks up a gun and accidentally shoots and kills the blackmailer. Richard takes the blame for the murder, is convicted and sentenced to be executed. Out of guilt and fear, Marion remains silent during the trial, but eventually tells her husband the truth. In order to save his brother, John sacrifices the governorship and moves his family to another city.
- Symbolisms: "The Trap." Scene 1: A bear trap on the ground; a man's hand enters the picture from above, presses down the jaws, shows how they work, and as they spring back into place his hand begins to scatter the leaves over the trap. Scene 2: Close-up of a saloon doorway, showing the swing doors opening in and springing back to place. The movement is the same as the bear trap. "The Bait." Scene 3: A bear trap is shown on the ground covered with leaves. A man's hand enters from above with a leg of meat. He holds it above the trap for a moment then lays it gently on the trap. Scene 4: The saloon swing doors are again drawn back by unseen bands and as they open just wide enough to make a panel in center of picture "Margot, the bait," is shown sitting on the edge of a table, and talking and laughing to unseen people. "The Game." Scene 5: Close-up is shown of rocky background. A puma is shown coming from behind the rocks with a snarl. Scene 6: Close-up of exterior of barroom doors. Camera shows Ed Mitchell, the stranger, halt intoxicated and a man's hand on his shoulder trying to lead him into the barroom. He registers disinclination, laughs in maudlin manner. Man's hand urges him in. Camera then shows Tom, the gambler, with his arms reaching out toward Mitchell; he opens doors and gently pushes Mitchell through. The story opens in a symbolic vein: the bait, the game, the trap. The analogy is drawn between the catching of big game with the usual bait in the trap, and the luring of big game with the bait of lovely but pathetic Margot, victim of a low man whom she believes to be her husband, and who has her in his power through a hold upon her father. The bait is sent into the saloon to fleece "the stranger" with the big roll. He discovers the game, the trap and the bait and a shooting tray takes place. Tom, the gambler, is badly wounded, and his partner in the game, "Old Bill," is slightly injured. Margot, believing Tom dead, escapes with her father. The scene then switches to the big trapping vicinity of which Bruce Powell, the trapper is the big man. He is shown trapping pumas. "Old Bill" and Margot make their way across country. A trap has been laid for game and "Old Bill," stumbling with exhaustion and illness, falls into it. Margot's screams attract Powell, who hurries to the scene. He carries the old man to his cabin where he expires after confessing to Margot that Tom was not her husband. The trapper soon learns to love the girl. Four months later they are happily married when the vultures, headed by Tom, arrive in the community, having exhausted the old fields. The wages have been dissipated and the next check being belated the trappers mutter and rebel against Powell, the paymaster, holding him responsible. Powell draws his own earnings from the bank and by announcing that the money is forthcoming stems the tide of rebellion. The father of Greta, the child of a neighbor, cared for by Margot, spends his hours in the saloon gambling and drinking. Margot, with Greta, goes to the saloon to get the derelict and is discovered by Tom. He follows her to her cabin. Powell has placed his money in his home for safekeeping. Tom makes Margot give him the money while Powell is absent. Arriving home he discovers his loss and attributes the crime to some outsider. The men, hearing of it, are calmed by the arrival of the belated payroll. Meantime, Tom fleeces the trappers of their remaining wages. Powell comes to the saloon and announces that the men are to be paid. Tom recognizes the purse of Margot, which Powell carries, and makes reflections upon Margot's character. Powell threatens to kill him if he finds he lies. In the meantime the trappers have left the bunk house for the paying station. Tom steals the money which the trappers have pooled from their earnings, leaving the big knife of Powell to deflect the blame. Tom then goes to Powell's cabin and demands that Margot turn over the money to him. She promises to meet him later with the money. Mitchell, the stranger, who also comes to the community, overhears the conversation. Margot meets Tom. The scene is witnessed by Powell from the distance. Margot leads Tom to a trap, killing him. The trappers, receiving no money and finding their fund stolen, suspect Powell through finding his knife. They hurry to string him up and find him lifting the dead Tom from the trap. Mitchell suggests that they search the body of Tom. The stolen money is found. Mitchell then looks at the fainting Margot and the stricken trapper. He leads the mob away from the scene, saying that the settlement is between these two souls. Powell's arm goes around Margot in love and protection and they go toward their cabin.
- Peyton Carothers and Margaret Grayton fancy themselves in love. Through reverses in fortune both are penniless and to these two, marriage without money is hopeless. The millionaire, Robert Van Allen, is deeply in love with Margaret and has asked her several times to become his wife. She and Carothers plan to attain their ends by making a fool of Van Allen. When he proposes marriage again, Margaret makes a cold-blooded proposition to marry him for the sum of one million dollars. Thinking he can gain her love after marriage, Van Allen agrees and gives her a promissory note to be paid following the ceremony. They are married, and Carothers, Van Allen's false friend, officiates at the wedding as best man. Van Allen takes his bride to a beautiful country home he has had built for her reception and there, too, Carothers goes as a guest. He and Margaret plot to betray Van Allen. A few months pass with nothing serious happening except the bitter disappointment and heartache of Van Allen, he realizes that his bargain was indeed a cold-blooded proposition. He is called away to the city on a business appointment. He accidentally misses his train and he returns to his home to find Carothers and his wife in a love scene. From Margaret's lips he overhears the bitter truth. Van Allen decides to teach the couple a lesson and acting on the theory that enforced familiarity breeds contempt, locks the two together with handcuffs and drives them before him under the lash of a whip to his lodge in a secluded and desolate spot in the mountains. The guilty pair are locked in a cabin, which is well stocked with food and there he leaves them to the consequences of their own wrong doing, while he sets up a camp outside to watch developments. The weeks pass none too pleasantly for the would-be lovers who find their love a bitter delusion and each other's company a curse. With his wrist locked to that of the woman he has sworn to love, the caddishness of Carothers turns to savagery and he treats her brutally. One night Van Allen leaves the cabin door open and Carothers forces Margaret to steal away with him. Van Allen trails them. After an all-night walk they find themselves lost in the desert. Margaret is exhausted and unable to continue and drops to the baked earth. Van Allen is moved at the plight of the woman he loved and unlocks the handcuffs and gives her water. Carothers steals upon the millionaire, tears the revolver from his side and snatches Van Allen's rifle. He tossed the revolver to Margaret and tells her to cover Van Allen with it. Then denouncing the millionaire as a fool and vowing he will kill him, Carothers aims the rifle but is shot himself by the woman he stole away. Unable to endure it any longer Margaret pleads to regain the love of her husband and there is a happy ending.
- Dr. Andrew Smiley, a brain specialist and a hypnotist, is the guardian of Wilfred and Marcie Redmond, brother and sister, and both rich in their own right. Smiley wishes to marry Marcia, as he is badly in need of money, but when he proposes she rejects him. Smiley has a secret mistress in Sarah Kayton, the head nurse of his sanitarium, and she has borne him a son, Paul Kayton, who is Smiley's secretary, without knowledge of the fact that his employer is his father. Wilfred Redmond, a musical genius, writes a musical composition which his sister Marcia calls "The Haunted Symphony." Wilfred incurs the enmity of Paul, who loves Marcia also. That same night Norman Brice, a student of mental science and a musician, is injured in his laboratory by a chemical explosion and on his way home he is overcome by temporary blindness. He is forced to appeal to a drunken passerby for assistance and the intoxicated man leads him to the wrong house, which proves to be Dr. Smiley's sanitarium. His key fits the door and he feels his way up the stairs to the second floor, thinking he is in his own home and intending to 'phone his physician. Dr. Barstow. At this instant Wilfred is murdered in a mysterious manner, and Marcia, coming upon his body, loses her reason and her memory. Brice, the blinded man, hears her screams and bursts into the room. He stumbles over the body of Wilfred and in groping about finds a photo on the table which he clutches in his hand as he rushes from the house in an agony of horror. When Brice recovers his sight and reason several days later he finds himself in a hospital under the care of his friend, Dr. Barstow, and in the papers he reads of the murder of Wilfred Redmond and the confession of his sister, Marcia, who seems to have lost her reason and memory. Comparing the newspaper cut of Marcia with the photo in his possession Brice knows that he was in the room just after the murder was committed and he realizes that this Marcia Redmond was the girl whose screams he heard. He falls in love with the photo, and feeling that she is innocent of the crime he determines to solve the mystery and clear her name. The coroner has adjudged Marcia insane and committed her to the care of her guardian in his sanitarium. Brice has Dr. Barstow commit him to the sanitarium as a patient suffering with melancholia. There he finds a copy of "The Haunted Symphony" and with the aid of the melody he recalls Marcia's memory and proves Dr. Smiley to be the real murderer.
- John Melbourne has carved out a fortune in South Africa. At the time the story opens he can look proudly over his magnificent ranch and estate and feel that he has toiled unremittingly to success. He hastens to write to the girl he left behind, as now he feels his fortune is sufficient to give her all that she deserves as a daughter of wealth and a society butterfly. He fails to consider that she'll need to live on the veldt, which he has grown to love, and that she might consider it a hardship. Margaret believes that she loves him enough to go to Africa and marry him and be happy. Her society friends who know her temperament laugh at the idea, especially Tom Dixon, a society parasite who is in love with her. Margaret finds the terrors of the jungle and the loneliness of the veldt maddening; it causes a breach between her and her husband, especially as he must give his whole attention to his land and cattle, a scourge attacking the latter. Meanwhile, Tom finds it necessary to adjust his resources and, thinking of the woman he loves, decides to go to Africa as a good field, as it will bring him in touch with her and there are as many chances for wealth there as any other place. The psychological moment is at hand for him to have influence over Margaret, coming as he does from her sphere. John also welcomes him into his home, hoping he will soothe Margaret's loneliness. In the meantime, Bill Harrison, a neighbor of Melbourne's, has discovered diamonds found on John's land and together with a band of crooks plans to change the boundary line between them. Tom Dixon is adding to the discontent of Margaret in subtle ways, but he is desperate on account of the state of his finances. Meanwhile Harrison and his band succeed in stealing considerable of Melbourne's diamonds and they make for the jungle to hide the stuff. Melbourne is called away to town on important business and in his absence Dixon approaches Margaret with a plan to elope. She hesitates and finds that she has a greater love for her husband and sees the folly of her actions with Dixon. This angers Tom and he finally abducts her when she is unconscious. The faithful Kaffir sees what is going on and hastens to find his master. As Dixon is guiding his victim through the jungle they come across the crooks who are headed by Harrison and are burying the stolen diamonds. The posse in search of the crooked gang come in on the scene and Tom, to save himself, opens fire on them with the result that he is shot from his mount and killed. The shooting attracts John and the Kaffir and they hurry to the scene. The dishonest neighbor, who has been the man higher up, is exposed. Margaret realizes her folly and truthfully promises John, "Your home shall be my home."
- Prosperous businessman Charles Robbins returns home one evening to find himself and his child deserted by his wife. Heartbroken, he decides to lead the hermit's life and goes to Arizona with his child. At the same, Arizona ranchers Mr. and Mrs. Crosby lose their baby and grieve deeply. When Robbins reaches their home he places his baby on their doorstep, then hides until he sees them find her and take her into their home. They soon forget their late sorrow and accept the little one as a gift from heaven. Robbins goes deeper into the woods and builds himself a hut, wishing to watch over his daughter without revealing his identity. A lapse of five years shows the baby, now known as Jess Crosby, a lovable member of the family and the pet of the cowboys. One day she ventures too far into the woods and is attacked by a bear, but the ever-watchful father comes to her aid in time and kills the animal. The hermit is overwhelmed with thanks by the Crosbys and is invited to make his home with them but refuses. Ten years later Jess is wooed by Tom Gunn, a manly cowboy. One day while out walking with Tom she stumbles over a fallen tree at the brink of a ravine, falls and lodges unconscious in a tree on the ledge below and near the bottom. She is rescued by Gunn with Robbins' assistance; he had just reached the spot while hunting. Robbin kills a puma that is making its way toward Jess while Tom draws the unconscious girl up to safety with a lariat. Charles' brother William and nephew John decide to visit him and are made guests at the Crosbys'. John falls in love with Jess, displeasing Gunn, who calls him to task. Jess is angered at the intrusion and in retaliation promises her hand to John. Shortly after this, Gunn and the hermit are out on a hunt. Jess and John about the same time leave the ranch for a walk. In the woods they encounter a couple of pumas and run into the hermit's hut, chased by the pumas. The hermit and Gunn hear the girl's screams, hurry to the scene and rescue them. John has shown an evidence of cowardice which Jess notices and compares with the bravery of Gunn. John, left alone, also feels his unworthiness and goes to Gunn, offering to release Jess. Jess who has also gone to the hut, listens outside and hears John's talk. She is torn by conflicting emotions. While in this predicament a near tragedy is being enacted inside the hut. A puma, which had effected an entrance while all were absent, makes its presence known as it is about to spring on the hermit. John sees it in time to pull the hermit out of its way, and its leap lands it through the door into the open, and just by Jess, who screams in fright and terror. At this instance Crosby and William Robbins arrive while the hermit, Gunn and John come out of the hut. The brothers, the hermit and William Robbins, recognize each other, the hermit claims Jess as his daughter. Jess accepts John Robbins for her cousin and Tom Gunn for her husband.
- Hope Hathaway, motherless and fatherless, has been afflicted with a spinal disease that has prevented the use of her limbs since childhood, confining her to an invalid's chair. On his deathbed Hope's father, a prosperous New England farmer, had left his daughter and her inheritance to the guardianship of his legal adviser, Rufus Flint, and had expressed a wish that she would one day marry Rufus' son, Abner. Thus he aroused the selfish ambitions of Rufus Flint and his son, who possessed the prosperous Hathaway farm. Hope is protected from their constant persecution and efforts to force her into a distasteful marriage with Abner by her faithful old colored nurse, Susie. In the nearby village a moving picture company is working, producing a romantic drama that is to feature the famous moving picture star, Neil Stuart. While the company is lunching, Neil goes for a canter over the country roads, attired in his King's costume and riding the beautiful white charger that he uses in the picture play, in search of water to quench his thirst, he comes upon Hope as she sits in a wooded grove near the Hathaway farm, dreaming over her latest romantic novel. The hero of her novel, as he is pictured in the book, is identical with the character of the King, for which Neil is costumed and to Hope it seems as if her hero lover had stepped in the flesh from the covers of her book to confront her. Discovering Neil's presence on the farm Rufus and Abner attempt to expel him, but they meet with unexpected resistance and are driven away themselves. The next afternoon the moving picture company start for the city and Neil decides to pay a farewell call to the little dreamer in the invalid chair. Finding a ready sympathizer in her hero, Hope tells him of Rufus and Abner Flint's persecution and he gives the old colored nurse his telephone number with instructions that she should call him in case of her mistress' need. Soon after, Rufus decides to bring matters to a speedy climax. He is a Justice of the Peace himself, so he plans to marry Hope to his son by force. They lock Susie in the barn by a clever ruse and after procuring a license proceed to perform the ceremony, but Susie escapes, phones Neil that Hope is in trouble, and he, true to his word, burns the road in his car to the Hathaway place. He arrives too late to prevent the ceremony and Susie tells him that Abner has already started off with Hope on their wedding journey. Incensed at the outrage, Neil gives chase in his car and overtakes Abner and his unwilling bride. Abner's horses run away and the coward jumps to save his own life, leaving the crippled girl to her fate. Entrusting the steering wheel to his chauffeur, Neil leaps to the running board of his car and succeeds in stopping the runaway horses. Abner's leap for life results fatally to him, for his father finds him dead at the edge of the road. Neil takes Hope to his mother's home and soon by the magic of love and science a wonderful change is wrought. A famous specialist restores to Hope the use of her limbs and in the arms of Neil she finds her Land of Heart's Desire.
- Mary Harding and Frank Manley love each other and the old folks agree that they shall marry. A week later a mining expert, accompanied by Devoe, a stockholder, while prospecting, finds a rich vein of silver ore on the Harding farm. Frank witnesses this discovery and follows the two men to the farm house just in time to prevent the Hardings from selling their farm with its hidden treasures for a paltry sum of money. After a fierce fight Frank destroys the bill of sale and the Hardings are the possessors of a fortune. Devoe has been attracted by the beauty of Mary and he determines to win her and the wealth that will be hers. The next day Devoe calls and so turns the mother's head with his attention to herself and Mary that when Frank calls the scheming mother tells him that now they are rich "Mary can marry a better man." Poor Mary surrenders to her scheming mother and becomes betrothed to Devoe. The wedding day finds Mary bedecked in bridal finery, but most unhappy. Meanwhile, Frank has come for an explanation from his sweetheart. The English butler who orders him away is thrown down the stairway and Frank enters to find Devoe, who insolently bids him leave the house. Frenzied by such treatment, Frank knocks Devoe down and the two men have a terrific fight, which is interrupted by the entrance of the father with Mary's note. Frank dashes out to find her. The old man follows. Back in the old home once more. Mary in her old gingham dress needs only one thing to make her perfectly happy, that is Frank, who enters, and then, Old Father enters with the minister, who marries the couple.
- In the ancient philosophies and religions the idea of reincarnation and transmigration of the soul played a large part. This photoplay is founded on the assumption that in the immortality of the soul many cycles must be re-lived to round out its perfection, and when one defiles the divine law he must go back to first principle, and even into the animal form, to work up again to his former estate. The story involves two epochs. It begins in the old Grecian time and revolves around one Theron, a Grecian Senator who has grown old, and to whom honor has come, but not love. Nadia, the innocent young daughter of a Greek nobleman, inspires passion in his breast, and he sells his soul to the evil of hatred and revenge when she scorns his advances and gives her heart to the poetic Lucian. The father of Nadia is ambitious and connives with the Senator to crush youth and love. "Love laughs at locksmiths" and the young people elope. Then the Senator sets loose the dogs of hatred and has them brought by his slaves to a burning crater, into which he throws them. For this sin the unseen arbiter of souls condemns him to enter the body of a lion and to roam the earth even unto the end of time, unless he shall save youth and love even as he has killed them. The story then switches to events of a century later. Youth and love have been reincarnated into a lovely young daughter of an American millionaire and into the soul of a young broker on Wall Street. The young broker has, as trophy of his African travels, a magnificent lion, which he installs in his mansion. When he and the young girl meet they seem to live over a dream of some olden time. Love draws them together and they are married, but the rival of the young broker allows hatred to possess him and sets about to ruin him. In the meantime, the young wife has a profound influence over the magnificent beast. At the crisis of her husband's fortune a vision of a terrible abyss comes to her as a warning, and she persuades her husband to change his order for stock. This vision is the unseen message of the Senator, speaking through the lion. The other young broker, thinking to triumph over his helpless victim goes to the house and tells her that her husband is ruined. The husband returns and chastises him for an insult to his wife. Leaving the room, the villain enters the room where the lion is caged. A hideous revenge forms itself in his mind. He lets the lion loose, but instead of killing the young people the lion seems to have elected himself their protector, for he leaves the room at the young wife's command and returns to the other room and kills the rival, apparently stamping out evil and saving youth and love. His crime of centuries ago is thus atoned and the spirit rises for a moment triumphant, but the endless cycle of justice goes on and the modern man must work out his destiny even as has the ancient.
- Welden Shaw, a man of about twenty-eight, is the husband of Myrtle Shaw, an ambitious, frivolous social climber. They have one daughter, a little child of four, the only light of her father's life. Mrs. Shaw constantly complains of her husband's lack of ambition and drives him from the home with her nagging. He seeks solace among his men friends and drops into loose companionships and looser habits. His one pleasure, however, is to dangle his baby girl on his foot and tell her animal stories. The domestic affairs of the family grow from bad to worse until the wife, beginning a flirtation with a smooth, suave old roué, leaves her husband, takes her baby with her, and obtains a divorce. She then marries the new love and he takes her to his luxurious home. The first husband, broken in spirit, becomes a burglar. In the course of several years the wife finds her new life less happy then she expected for she has a different man to deal with and he holds her to her bargain, making her life miserable. For comfort in her grief she turns to her daughter, now advancing into womanhood. The stepfather plans to marry off Rhoda to a libertine friend of his, and preparations for the wedding are pushed ahead. The news leaks out into the slums through the papers and the first husband decides to rob the house for the wedding presents. He enters at night, makes a noise, and his daughter, hearing it, slips from her bedroom, comes down the stairs and confronts him. She recognizes the burglar as her father and explains to him of her forced wedding. Rhoda has a sweetheart of her own. Having been denied the right to see him she induces her burglar-father to aid her. This he does, his efforts ending in their marriage. He brings the young people to the girl's home and there confronts Wells and his wife. The latter is in tears straining against the bonds which hold her, and complaining bitterly under the new humiliations which Wells is laying upon her. Shaw recognizes in Wells the man who has deserted a woman he met in the slums. This woman produces proof that Wells has been illegally married. Confronted with the proof Wells breaks down, promises to mend his ways, and an unhappy situation is turned into a joyous one. The picture closes with Shaw and his wife again happily reunited and the little girl seated at his feet listening to his stories of wild animals.
- When Mr. Jonathan Swell of the city, glancing idly through the "for sale" column in his perusal of the morning paper, found that a small house in the country was to be sold, it took him just long enough to get into his hat and coat, leave orders with his housekeeper and catch the first train to look the place over. Arriving upon the scene, learning the right direction he jaunted happily along almost as light as the country air he breathed. He soon discovered his path led him along the banks of a stream. The warmth of the summer air; the re-awakened desires and pleasures of boyhood seized and permeated his veins. With an outburst of enthusiasm he looked carefully about, then hurriedly disrobing plunged into the stream to enjoy a good old-time swim. Miss Evergreen of Lonesomeburg, the seller of the house, above mentioned, had living with her, two nieces, the youngest of whom was a veritable tomboy and at the moment Mr. Swell was disporting himself in the water Jennie, the tomboy, was rolling an empty barrel along the lane. At a turn toward the river she was confronted by a pair of trousers hanging from a bush. "Just what we need for a scarecrow," said she, confiscating them at once and making a beeline for home, minus the barrel. The ensuing adventures of Mr. Swell in the barrel, a substitute for his trousers, which he later discard for a skirt belonging to Miss Evergreen, furnish an abundance of fun. In the last scene Mr. Swell is seen again in his palatial city home enjoying its comforts and vowing to never again seek divertisement in the country.
- John Wilson is the owner of a ranch in Wyoming. He goes out to his work, leaving his devoted wife and the beautiful little boy, five years old, his son Willie. Grey Eagle, a peaceful but hungry Indian, who has been kicked out of the ranch-house several times, comes again to beg for food. The child, fascinated by the Indian's beadwork, gets him food and permits the Indian to take a bottle of whiskey. As the mother enters, the Indian goes out, followed a few minutes later by the child. We next see the Indian in the woods, enjoying a drink of whiskey, and the child approaches. Little Willie gives to the Indian a silver charm that one of the cowboys had presented to him that morning. The Indian and child are met by a cowboy from the ranch, who sends the child back towards home, and the Indian in another direction. As soon as the cowboy is out of sight the child again follows the Indian, is lost in the woods, and in a very pretty scene, after saying his prayer, the child lies down and goes to sleep. Meanwhile, the Indian, in trying to remove the cork from the bottle, has cut his finger and blood from the cut runs on his garments. Grey Eagle finishes his whiskey and falls asleep in the bushes. The mother of the child, alarmed by his absence, goes in search of him, and meeting the father, tells him of the child's prolonged absence. Cowboy Dick rides up and tells of having seen the child with the Indian. The mother is crazed with fearful foreboding, and the father starts off with a number of his cowboys to find the Indian and the child. The Indian is found asleep and dead drunk. One of the cowboys notices the silver charm hanging to the Indian's coat, and recognizes it as the one he had given to the child that morning. Then the bloodstains on the Indian's sleeve satisfy the distracted father and the enraged cowboys that the Indian has, in a drunken fury, killed the child. They seize Grey Eagle, tie him to a tree, and with threats of death, try to compel the poor Indian to tell them where the child is. The Indian's only answer to their demand is a shake of the head, indicating that he does not know. Wilson orders the Indian to be tortured by fire to compel him to tell where the child is. The cowboys bring dry brushwood and pile it around the Indian. One of them lights a match and sets fire to the wood. Meanwhile, shorty, a cowboy, returning to the ranch, stumbles across little Willie, fast asleep in the hushes. He picks the child up and dashes upon horseback toward the ranch house. The flames are creeping nearer the Indian, Grey Eagle. The father begs the Indian to tell where the child is. The Indian shakes his head; he does not know. The flames are just reaching the Indian's feet when a cry is heard. Up dashes Shorty with the child in front of him. The father grasps his beloved little boy, the cowboys scatter the fire and release Grey Eagle, none the worse for his terrible close call. Our last scene shows the mother praying to God to restore her child, As if in answer to her prayer, the father appease, carrying little Willie in his arms. With a cry of joy the mother seizes and kisses her little darling.
- Ben Thompson is the Sheriff of Loredo County, Arizona. Ben and fear have never been on speaking terms. Ben is visiting his sweetheart, Belle Gordon. Sandy Jones, who runs the poker games at the Horseshoe Gambling Saloon, rushes up and informs the Sheriff that he is wanted in a hurry, our first scene has shown the interior of the Horseshoe gambling room. Bad Bill and his gang have entered and held up Sandy Jones, have taken all of his money and jewelry and have abducted "Big Lizzie," one of the dancing girls. The Sheriff bids his sweetheart good-bye and after a brief investigation at the Horseshoe, he dashes off, accompanied by a trusty lieutenant, in pursuit of the bad man. An exciting chase on horseback follows, and we show real riding of a kind that makes one hold his breath as the Sheriff and his man follow the trail of the four outlaws. The bad men catch sight of the Sheriff following them, and, leaving the girl beside the road, they double back, hoping to catch the Sheriff and finish him. Ben is as tricky as a fox. Making a detour, he gets behind the outlaws, finds the girl, and conceives a bold plan for capturing Bill. He hides the girl and his horse in the woods, then, disguised in the girl's mantilla, he seats himself at the roadside and awaits the coming of Bill. Bill returns, places him arm affectionately around what he supposes to be the girl, and the next instant he is startled to see Ben Thompson's six-shooter shoved into his face and to hear the command "Hands Up!" Ben takes the girl and Bad Bill back to town and deposits Bill in the county jail. Bad Bill's accomplices abduct Belle, the Sheriff's girl, carry her off and tie her to an old post on the bank of the river. Then they send a note to the Sheriff, in which they inform him that if he does not release Bad Bill within three hours, the rising tide of the river will drown his sweetheart. The Sheriff determines to be faithful to his duly as Sheriff and also to save his girl. A wild ride brings him up to where the outlaws are resting. Here follows a thrilling revolver fight, three men on horseback dashing down a steep hill against the plucky Sheriff. Two of the outlaws are killed, and the Sheriff pursuing the third one comes to the point on the river bank where his girl is waiting in agony a fearful death. He dashes into the water, unties the girl and lifts her head, just in time to rescue her from a watery grave.
- Who ate the possum pie? is the problem, and the evidence is so strong that any jury in the world would bring in a verdict of guilty, thereby convicting an innocent man and allowing the guilty to escape. Old Uncle Mose Jackson is seen entering his cabin with a very fine 'possum which he has captured, and he proceeds to make a 'possum pie and puts it in the oven to cook, and while it is cooking he falls asleep. A young darkey, passing the cabin detects the odor of 'possum pie, so dear to the colored race, and pushing the door open he discovers Uncle Mose asleep, and further search reveals the pie in the oven, which is now cooked, and Mister Darkey proceeds to cat it. After finishing the pie, he proceeds to start a false trail, and using the scraps that are left he greases the old man's face and hands. In due course the old fellow wakes up, and of course he goes straight to the oven, only to find that the pie is not there; he finds the soiled dishes and scraps on the table and he is sure somebody has robbed him while he slept until he discovers the greasy condition of his hands and face, which convinces him that he must have eaten the pie, but he is like "the man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still."
- Captain Roberts reports to Col. Sanders of the appearance of sudden threatening activities in the native secret society. Reaching home he discovers his daughter, Helen, has gone to a reception. He follows her, but en route receives a decoy note. While returning he is overpowered by natives and taken to their rendezvous. When Col. Sanders arrives at the place of reception he finds that Helen is not there. A disturbance outside attracts the attention of the party and when Col. Sanders returns to the reception room he finds a note informing him of the capture of Helen. The party immediately mount their horses and hasten to rescue her. Helen is obliged to assume native garb and mount an elephant. The natives see the approach of the rescue party and bind and gag their victim. The rescue party passes without discovering her identity. Helen is carried to far away Hindoo City and presented to the Rajah, who falls in love with her. He removes her from the power of the high priest and places her in the hands of his women. Having been educated in England, the Rajah has high respect for Christian women. The high priest insists on keeping her in his power. The Rajah objects and to secure Helen's freedom suggests that she go through the formality of marriage. The Rajah will then have the right to return her to her father. Helen consents and Captain Roberts is notified to come for her. The Rajah enters the room of a group of lions who attack and kill him. The high priest again makes Helen prisoner to be burned alive with the body of her husband, according to the custom of the country. Captain Roberts, upon receiving the Rajah's letter, becomes hysterical and takes a party of friends with him to free his daughter. Helen has been tied to a stake and the funeral pyre is fired. But the high priest, desiring Helen for himself, has constructed a trap door. While the fire burns she is lowered to a sacred chamber and is placed in charge of Jumba, keeper of the sacred animals, who is in love with the high priest. The high priest attempts liberties but is repulsed by Helen. Jumba endeavors to free Helen and passes her through the den of sacred animals and the secret chambers. Captain Roberts and the rescue party gain entrance to the chamber when the high priest enters the secret door with natives. They attack the rescuing party when suddenly Helen rises from the altar and the natives, thinking her a ghost, flee in terror. Helen recognizes and rushes to her father and the high priest, angered at Jumba, attacks her. In the fight Jumba kills the high priest in self-defense and then flees from the temple. Roberts, Helen and the rescue party make good their escape.
- Annie Welslie, a charming society girl, and her maiden aunt Julia are stopping at a winter resort in Florida, where they meet Jack Barton and Bill Lanison, who are pals. Both are gamblers, but honest, big-hearted and true. Jack is a handsome, dashing fellow, very manly, somewhat rough, but one of nature's noblemen. Annie falls in love with Jack, but conceals the fact from her aunt, who is a great stickler for propriety, and Bill falls desperately in love with Aunt Julia. Lewis Waldron, who is also in love with Annie, tries to poison her mind again Jack, telling her that he is a gambler. Annie refuses to believe this; she defends Jack and dismisses Waldron, telling him she never wishes to see him again. Jack appears, offers Waldron his hand, which is refused. Waldron leaves vowing vengeance. Jack declares his love for Annie, and in spite of her aunt's objections, is accepted. Bill, his pal, taking courage from Jack's success, tries his hand at love-making, but is a dismal failure; however, he does not despair, and concludes to try again. Seven years elapse. We find Jack and Annie happily married and living on a ranch in Colorado. A little daughter (Irma) has been born to them, who is the pride of Jack's heart. Aunt Julia visits them, and Bill, who has been a true pal to Jack, sharing his fortune in the west, again meets her and renews his love-making in his earnest and ridiculous fashion, and this time with more success, as Aunt Julia accepts him on condition that he renounce gambling, which he does. Waldron, under the guise of a friend and brother, has also followed them west. Jack has implicit confidence and trust in his false friend, and being called away to Texas on business, leaves his wife and baby under Waldron's protection. After an affecting scene. Jack takes his departure, but in his grief leaves his traveling bag behind. No sooner bas Jack gone than Waldron proceeds to poison Annie's mind against Jack, telling her that there is another woman, and Jack has gone to Texas to open a gambling house. He convinces her of this by false proofs. In her desperation she decides to leave him and return with her aunt and Waldron, whom she regards only as a brother. During this scene Jack returns for his bag. He overhears the conversation and learns of Waldron's treachery. As they are about to depart, Jack intercepts them. Here follows a thrilling scene in which Jack attempts to kill Waldron. Annie stops him and pleads for Waldron's life. Jack permits Waldron to go unharmed, but tells Annie they can no longer live together. At this point Irma, their little daughter, in her baby way tries to reconcile them. Jack demands that the child choose between mother and father. The child attempts to join their hands. The father relents and decides to go away and leave the child with its mother, giving Annie, his wife, the house and all it contains. While he is in another part of the house looking for the deeds, Waldron returns to take Annie away. She sees her error and tells him to leave the house. He attempts to embrace her, when she picks up the revolver Jack has left on the table. She levels it at him at him and commands him to go. He does so. Jack in the meantime has returned and witnessed this scene, unseen by them. He goes to Annie, who is sobbing, and he begs her forgiveness. As he takes her lovingly in his arms, Irma kneels before them in an attitude of prayer.
- Robert Jordan, a young lawyer, is the happy husband of a charming young wife, and the father of a beautiful little girl. Ralph Deland, a good looking scoundrel, pretends friendship for the husband, although caring only for the wife. The child, playing in the garden with her father, runs back into the parlor for her Teddy bear. She sees the villain embracing her mother, and runs out into the garden to tell her father that the bad man is hurting her mother. The infuriated husband enters the room just as the wife is releasing herself from the embraces of Deland. Jordan restrains himself until Deland has left the room, then he demands an explanation. The wife protests her innocence and Jordan is convinced that she has been blameless. But one thought now possesses his mind: he must kill the scoundrel who so wronged his good wife. He takes a revolver from his desk, but his little girl comes in, and the sight of her sweet face makes him give up all thought of revenge. Later in the evening Deland calls, and by bribing the butler, secures an interview with the woman he has insulted. He assures her that he has only come to apologize. A door is heard to open. The husband has entered the house. The wife realizes that if Deland is found there, her husband will kill him. She persuades Deland to hide in the pantry. Jordan enters and sits at the desk, at work over legal papers. Hours pass. Jordan hears a noise in the adjoining room. Thinking it is a burglar, he takes his revolver and hides behind the portière. Deland opens the pantry door slowly and goes toward the hall entrance. Jordan calls to him to stop, and as Deland starts to run, Jordan fires, killing him. Jordan telephones to police headquarters that he has shot a burglar. The police arrive and an ambulance surgeon finds in Deland's coat the note in which Jordan has threatened to kill Deland. Jordan is arrested and, taken away by the police, despite his protestations of innocence. We next see Jordan in a prison cell; a warden brings him a letter from his wife telling him that the Governor has commuted his death sentence to imprisonment. Twelve years pass. The child, now a beautiful woman of nineteen, is at the Convent of the Sacred Heart; accompanied by a nun, she walks out with her mother to the railway station. Convicts are repairing the road. The mother recognizes in one of the striped unfortunates her husband. The poor father bids the mother not to let their child know. The trio pass on. Jordan stands looking sadly after the two beings he loves so well. The convicts fight the guards and Jordan runs away. He is followed by two guards, and after thrilling fights and a unique ride, he climbs the wall of the very convent in which his daughter is a pupil. Father and child meet, and a pathetic scene is interrupted by one of the nuns. The guards are seen coming up. The father hides behind a shrine, and the daughter pleads with the nun to save her father, an innocent man. The guards question the nun. A pause. Will the good sister break her vow? She feels a despairing child's hand touch hers, and she tells a white lie, the lie that is sometimes more benevolent than truth. The guards pass on and Jordan is saved. After a few days, in the disguise of a gardener. Jordan, accompanied by his wife and child, sails for England. Our closing scene shows a happy, reunited family, as they sit down to their evening meal, and as they voice their gratitude to the Father of all, a vision of the nun is seen, her hands spread in benediction over the man whom she saved with a white lie.
- Three failures in one morning's mail was more than Mrs. Manly could endure. Taking the telegrams from the hand of her husband she flaunted them in his face and derided him on his lack of business ability, claiming that were she the man she would meet with no failures. He answered her defy with a proposition that for a moment staggered her, but which she accepted in the same spirit as it was given. The proposition from her husband was that as she felt herself so capable a businessman that she be the man in the family and he would take her place, even to the exchange of wearing apparel. Dressed as the man she at once proceeded to put into action her methods of business. Her great difficulty in her man's garb was that when having an interview with a business man, that man seemed to not be able to concentrate his mind on business but wanted to take her out to lunch instead, with the result that she was obliged to order him out of the house, which action necessarily terminated the business deal with him. And so with every man she met in the course of her business, she either met with admiration, consternation or ridicule according to the temperament of the man. In the meantime the husband in his female attire was having as difficult a time with the house domestics, canvassers, peddlers, etc., and when his wife came to him meek and humiliated, and asked him to change back again, as she didn't want to be a business man, he threw his arms about her and agreed that the return was as acceptable to him as it was necessary for her.
- Harry Laughton, a college man, had fallen in love with and married Daisy Woods, a country maiden, during his vacation, despite his father's commands and entreaties. Harry loved his simple, untutored little wife, but her lack of style and ignorance of his favorite books shamed and annoyed him. He grew more and more irritable, until broken-hearted little Daisy, believing that he no longer loved her, sorrowfully departed for her old home. But the streets were strange to her, and as she was looking up at a lamp-post to read the name, an automobile came suddenly around the corner and knocked her down. The owner of the automobile proved to be her father-in-law, who was soon captivated by her sweet simplicity, and gladly sent for his distracted son, to whom he gave a little fatherly advice, thereby preventing a repetition of what so nearly cost him his happiness.
- S. Claus, a celebrated doll maker, becomes possessed of the idea that he can make a large-sized doll that he can bring to life, and we see him putting the finishing touches to the doll in his workshop, assisted by his clumsy apprentice boy, who finds it a very difficult thing to get out of his own way without getting in someone else's way. We next see Minnie, the doll maker's daughter, "making a date" with her steady beau to go to the mask ball of the Volunteer Firemen that night, and as they are standing at the front gate a mask parade comes along advertising the ball, furnishing another opportunity for the apprentice to get into hot water, which he takes advantage of. We next see Minnie going through her voluminous stock of clothes trying to find a suitable costume for the ball, but, like all the ladies, she has "nothing to wear." Just then her beau, Hi Henry, comes on the scene, dressed in a Mephisto costume, and endeavors to help in the selection, but without success, when a happy thought strikes Minnie and they proceed to the workshop, where they rob the doll of its dress and slippers, which Minnie dons, to the delight of Hi, and they proceed to the dance, where we see the high jinks of the merrymakers. Hi and Minnie are seen returning home just as a thunderstorm breaks, and as they are drying themselves at the open fireplace they hear the old man descending the stairs, as this is the physiological moment for him to bring the doll to life, while the air is charged with electrical energy from the storm. Hi and Minnie are panic-stricken and rush to the workshop to replace the dress on the doll, but hearing the approach of someone they realize that there isn't time to make the change, so Hi conceals himself behind the work bench and Minnie stands in front of the doll, trusting to the semi-darkness to deceive the apprentice, who enters at that moment to get the doll and is frightened half to death at the appearance of the "devil," or Hi, who is making his escape to the chimney in the other room, which he succeeds in doing, and the apprentice, getting over his fright, picks up the supposed doll and carries it into the parlor, where the old man applies a galvanic battery, which has the desired effect and the doll comes to life, to the old man's great delight, and as he dances around with the doll the "devil," finding the chimney too hot a place for his "satanic majesty," drops down into the scene, to the great consternation of the old man, but at that moment Hi removes his mask and pleads forgiveness for their pranks and for Minnie's hand in marriage, which the old man grants with his blessing and the wish that "the devil take the first one that goes between yon," when the apprentice, alive to another opportunity, stumbles against the old man, pushing him through between them.
- Katherine Mortimer, a rich and eccentric young woman, spending the summer at the seashore with Mrs. Cochran, her aunt and chaperone, learns she has been jilted by her fiancé, Horace Castlebury, who has eloped with Ethel Van Eltinge, a brewer's daughter. The headstrong Katherine vows to marry the first man she meets. She swims out beyond her depth and is rescued by Bill, a fisherman, who takes her to his cabin on the shore. He revives her and as he is the first man she has met she straightaway proposes to him. Bill is gifted with the talents of a great painter and aspires to become famous as such. Katherine persuades him to become her husband and he accepts her proposition in view of the fact that her money will further his ambitions. After the marriage ceremony, Katherine informs him that she is to be his wife in name only, but as the weeks pass by he finds himself falling in love with her. Castlebury and his bride come to the seashore, and there Katharine triumphs in her own mind as she introduces him to her "spite husband." Castlebury, however, sees through the ruse and immediately starts another affair with Katherine, whom he finds a willing victim. He neglects his pretty wife. This state of affairs is finally brought to Bill's attention by the neglected wife and Bill brings matters to an abrupt climax when he interrupts a secret meeting and soundly thrashes Castlebury. Bill renounces Katherine in a stormy scene and returns to his fisherman's on the shore. It is then that she discovers that she really loves her "spite husband," and the following morning she follows him to the cabin and pleads with him to take her hack. Bill at first will not listen to her, but when she takes possession of the place in her feminine way and starts to clean it up and wash his breakfast dishes he realizes that the girl has at last found her true woman's heart.
- Marion, the beautiful daughter of the Castlewoods of Maryland, is loved by Harry Fairfax, an American, and Captain Blackford, of the British Army. Fairfax is the favored suitor. The Revolution of '76 separates the lovers. Fairfax, now a lieutenant in an American regiment stationed near Castlewood, visits his sweetheart. A company of British soldiers under Captain Blackford take possession of the Castlewood house. Fairfax secretes himself in a closet. Captain Blackford enters and mad with love for Marion, he embraces and kisses her despite her struggles to get away from him. Fairfax comes to the rescue of the girl he loves. Blackford summons his soldiers who take Fairfax as a prisoner of war caught in the enemy's lines. Blackford then offers the terror stricken girl this proposition: if she will marry him he will permit Fairfax to escape; if Marion refuses, her lover will be shot as a spy. The Englishman gives her one hour to decide the matter. The brave girl, left alone, writes a message to the American Commander asking that he rescue Fairfax, and she sends her brother, a lad of ten years, on horseback to the camp. There follows a thrilling ride by the lad, shot at and pursued by the British outposts until he delivers the message to the American troops, who start to the rescue of their brave lieutenant. Blackford comes for Marion's answer and when he shows her, through the window, Fairfax bound and facing six rifles which, on a signal from the English captain, will kill her lover, Marion consents to marry the villain to save Fairfax. A minister, who has been summoned, makes Marion the wife of the dastardly Englishman. Fairfax is released and permitted to go in the uniform of a British soldier, but Blackford has instructed his villainous sergeant to have Fairfax shot as he is about to leave the British lines and the brave fellow falls seriously wounded. The American troops surround Castlewood, the British are driven off. Captain Blackford is killed and Marion is once more free to marry the man of her choice. Fairfax is discovered by American troops and taken to the Castlewood mansion, where Marion's skillful nursing restores him to health. Our last scene shows the marriage of the lovers. In the midst of their happiness a courier summons Fairfax to join his regiment, and the bride of a moment, shows her true American, spirit by fastening her husband's sword on his belt and bidding him go and fight for his country.
- Upon her deathbed Mrs. Sherwood entrusts her son Richard to the care of his older brother Darrell. Years pass and Darrell becomes the village preacher and Richard a lawyer. Darrell is a favorite of the community; Richard is a would-be daredevil and a modern swashbuckler. Clandestinely Richard has been meeting Molly Foster. One night while at his club gambling and drinking heavily, he receives a note from Molly asking him to see her at once. At the gate of her home Molly tells him her dread secret. Warning her to keep silence and making promises he leaves. The following Sunday, when the services at Darrell's church is over, Richard greets Faith Richardson. Faith shows an interest in Darrell, which Richard notes with disfavor. The brothers accompany Faith and her father Colonel Richardson, to their home. At the Foster home, Molly lies in bed with the newborn babe. Her father demands to know the name of the child's father, but Molly refuses to answer. He gives her the option of telling her secret or leaving home. She accepts the latter course and goes to live in a cottage on the edge of town provided by Darrell through Faith. Later at a meeting of the "Ladies' Aid Society" the cat element decides that Molly and her baby must leave town. Just as the Society, which has gone to Molly's abode with two constables, is denouncing her, Darrell, who has been apprised of their decision, arrives and in a fury of indignation he berates the committee soundly and they leave the room. Molly is taken very ill and realizing that her end is near, takes her child and makes her way to Darrell and Richard's home. She begs Richard to give her child a name, but he throws her off as Darrell enters; Molly confesses her secret to him. Darrell insists that Richard marry Molly at once and the ceremony begins, but Molly dies before it is finished. Richard steals from the room. Making his way to the Richardson home he leads Faith back to the window giving a view of Darrell's study. He is seen carrying Molly in his arms to the sofa. Richard points to the scene and swears to the truth of the situation the action implies. With Molly gone Darrell adopts the baby. Later Richard and Faith are married. Time passes. Richard grows tired of Faith and gambles heavily. He takes all of his brother's money, and heavily masked holds up Col. Richardson. He commits a number of robberies in the vicinity, and a vigilance committee is formed, headed by Col. Richardson. Hounded, Richard makes his way to the cottage wherein Molly lived. As he rushes into the darkened room he becomes conscious of the fact that he is not alone. He draws his pistol hut before he can use it the figure jumps upon him and unmasks him. Richard faces his brother, whose sorrows had driven him from his study that night. Richard pleads with Darrell to save him, and remembering his oath to his mother the latter assumes the guilt when the committee arrives. An impromptu court is held and Darrell is ordered to leave town the following morning. By morning Richard has not returned and fearing for his safety, Faith starts in search of him. Intuition leads her to Molly's cottage. In the center of the room she finds Richard dead. A scrap of paper beside him tells the story. In the meantime Darrell has started his weary way. Realizing the great wrong done him Faith hurries to her father with Richard's dying confession. Mounting his horse Col. Richardson starts after Darrell. At a fork in the road he overtakes him and there gently breaks the news of Richard's death and shows him the message. The Colonel grasps Darrell's hand and starts to lead him home.
- Jack, Ada, Tietze, Nina, the old Hag, and Andrea, estranged from the Stanley party, and having escaped the Slave Traders, into whose hands they were thrown by the treachery of Andrea, proceed through the jungles. Ada forgives the White King, but Jack shows his contempt for him by making him burden bearer. Andrea sulks and indicates that he will await his chance to get even by stealing the party's supplies and carrying away Ada. They pass on while Stanley prepares to take up the march in search of them. As they wander through the jungle a great leopard, hanging from the limb of a tree, drops down upon Ada. Her screams attract Jack and Tietze, and after a fight they spear it. Further ahead in the jungle is the village of the Bungangetas, who are called Voo Doo worshipers. They set up for their king a horrible idol and offer it young native girls as sacrifices. The party is ambushed by scouts of the Voo Doo worshipers and taken before the shrine. Andrea alone escapes by hiding in the bushes. The Witch Doctor, of the Voo Doos, decrees that Ada shall be the sacrifice to their god. She is placed upon the sacrificial stone and preparations for the rites begun. In the meantime Stanley, Batty and their party hurry through the jungles. They meet the Voo Doo Worshippers, but being outnumbered, they lose the fight which follows, and retreat to await more favorable time for action. In the skirmish Batty, who has been riding his elephant, falls into a pit set by the Voo Doos to trap animals. Discovering his predicament, the witch doctor, in high glee at the sport of the venture, drops a lion into the pit. Being unarmed, Batty is compelled to meet the lion with his bare hands. After a furious battle Batty conquers the lion, to the astonishment of the natives, who carry Batty back to camp as an extra fine sacrifice to their idol. While the witch doctor has been gone Andrea, seeing his opportunity to avenge the fancied wrongs of Jack, blackens his body with berry juice and, posing as one of the natives, slips into the hollow idol, usurping the place of the witch doctor, who, upon his return, is deposed. Andrea, as the witch doctor, orders the death of Jack and Batty. The preliminary ceremony lasts long into the night, and at last natives and captives fall asleep. Andrea then silently releases Ada and takes her with him into the jungles. At dawn Nina, who has been taken to a hut, slips, unobserved, to the stakes where Jack and Batty are chained and cuts their bonds. They immediately start a search for Ada and Andrea but discover they have gone. Enraged at Andrea's perfidy, Jack and Batty prepare to go into the jungles after the White King, but before they have advanced any material distance the deposed Witch Doctor discovers their departure, and rousing the natives, sets out and recaptures them. Jack and Batty are again chained to stakes and the sacrificial fires lighted when Stanley and his followers, mounted on Elephants, and leading Ada's pony, attack the camp. The horse dashes into the camp, kicks the embers away from about Jack's and Batty's feet, grabs a native by the breechclout, shakes him, while an elephant twists his trunk about the Witch Doctor, dashes his head against a tree and tosses the body over his back. The natives are scattered, Stanley, Jack, Nina and the hag are restored to the party, while Andrea drags Ada through the jungle and gloats over her misery.
- Steve Martin, a sheep-herder, has been living happily in the love of his daughter, Beulah, when a shadow of his past looms up before him. Years before he had become involved in a counterfeiting scheme with Tom Walsh, who remained to expiate the crime, Steve escaping. Walsh, who alone shares Steve's secret, is now a nefarious character engaged in rounding up sheep which he steals and drives over the government lines. When he finds that he is in Steve's neighborhood his mind reverts to their common past. Cunning and revenge combined prompts him to go to Steve's house and by menacing him with the past makes him a tool in his criminal undertaking. Steve, to shield his daughter, weakly consents. In the meantime, Jim Thorne, a government ranger, in love with Beulah, senses something wrong and instructs his assistant to be on the lookout, promising to meet him at a certain time. Steve and Tom are rounding up sheep when the assistant appears. Tom kills the assistant, and Steve also fires but believes it was his shot that went true. The dying man manages to slash Tom on the arm in the death struggle. The assailants escape. Jim, according to arrangements, arrives at the spot and finds his dying comrade, who tells him that he has slashed his murderer on the arm and to look for him. He then dies and Jim, putting the body on his horse, takes him to Steve's house. A frightful storm comes up and Tom decides to take refuge in Steve's house. Looking through the window he sees Jim examining the arm of Steve and then knows that he is a marked man. The next day, overheard by Beulah, he threatens Steve and also the life of Jim. He has conceived a cunning revenge for the ranger. From the cave of a puma he takes several cubs to Jim's cabin knowing that the mother will follow. In the meantime Beulah goes to warn Jim of the criminal's design. Jim laughs at her fears but is on his guard when he happens to meet Tom. He is quicker with the gun than Tom, however. He fires and fearing that he has killed him Jim carries the unconscious form to his cabin and places it upon a couch under which the puma cubs are lying. He goes to a stream to get water to revive him, but while absent the revenge Tom so cunningly planned proves a boomerang, for the puma enters and finding Tom helpless draws his life. Beulah has heard the shots exchanged and she and her father, coming to the cabin, finds the two terrors of the fold have passed and the slash on the arm proves that the murderer of the ranger has been found.
- A pathetic Western drama. Sam and Jim arc two miners living in a shack near their claim in Nevada. Jim is dying of consumption. Sam, his big-hearted partner, tells him, "I will bring a doctor to help you, Jim, if it takes every ounce of gold we have." Sam takes their bag of gold nuggets and flees for the only doctor within fifty miles. Several hours pass. Racked by pain, Jim is about to kill himself when he notices the name of his partner, Sam Lewis, is carved on the handle of the dagger. To prevent suspicion falling upon his chum, Jim writes a note as follows: "Dear Sam, I'm done for. I can't stand the pain, so I'm going to end it with your knife Keep my share of the gold. Goodbye, old pal, Jim." Jim places the note on the table and the poor fellow stabs himself. A strong wind blows the door open and sends the letter flying across the room into a corner. The discovery of the dead body of Jim, with Sam's dagger covered with blood near him, and Sam gone leads the sheriff and miners to quickly agree on the verdict, "Murdered by his pal, Sam Lewis." The sheriff overtakes Sam, searches him and finds the bag of nuggets. Sam protests his innocence but the sheriff answers, "We will hang you for this murder." A terrific fight between the men follows. Sam gets the sheriff's revolver and escapes. The sheriff again overtakes Sam and in the struggle that follows, Sam falls over the edge of a precipice. The plucky sheriff lets himself down with a rope to the bottom of the ravine, finds Sam stunned by his fall, captures him and takes him back to camp. The miners immediately lead Sam off to lynch him. But fate works in strange ways. A half drunken miner, looking for a stopper for his whiskey flask, picks up the lost letter that Jim wrote exonerating Sam. The man dashes after the lynching party and overtakes them with the letter just as the lynchers are about to send Sam into Eternity. The sheriff reads Jim's last letter to the crowd and Sam is released and cheered. Our last scene shows the grave of Jim. A rough board states that he was murdered by his pal, Sam Lewis. The sheriff escorting Sam and followed by all the men in the mining camp, orders the board to be removed and a handsome new board does justice to "A True Pal." The miners leave Sam with his dead comrade. The simple, great-hearted fellow bursts into tears and falls on the grave of his chum.
- Schoolteacher Carey Graves is advised to take her semi-invalid mother to another climate for the benefit of her health. Accordingly she goes West, where she plans to homestead a government claim, build a shack on it, and develop it into her own ranch while she gives her mother the benefit of the climate and a chance for health. About the same time Shirley Wells, a wealthy young clubman from Boston, weary of conventional life, also goes West, accidentally selecting the same spot chosen by Carey. The place selected is in the region around Rock Crest, Nevada. Hamilton Osborne, a wealthy ranch owner and a domineering sort of man, rules over the region. He looks upon women as playthings, and immediately upon the arrival of Carey attempts to work his way into her good graces. His manner is so insulting that Wells steps in to protect the girl. The result is a spirit of enmity between the two men. Carey settles upon a parcel of land owned by the government, but used by Osborne for cattle-grazing. Osborne resents what he pleases to term an intrusion and orders Carey off. Carey drives him away with a rifle. In the meantime Wells has done everything in his power to make Carey and her mother comfortable and a bond of interest springs up between them. Osborne notes the turn of events with growing jealousy and decides to take drastic action to turn things in his favor. One day while strolling among the foothills Carey discovers a puma lair. She fondles the cubs playfully. Osborne, who had been following her, seizes this opportunity. Carey's screams attract the attention of Wells, who is out puma hunting. He hurries to the scene, but before he can intercept the puma, which he had been hunting, leaps towards the lair, lands upon and seriously injures Osborne. Wells raises his gun, fires and kills the puma before it can attack Carey. Carey and Wells take Osborne to a nearby hut and gradually nurse him back to health. He is so grateful to Carey for her assistance and so charmed by her treatment that he offers to marry her, but she tells him that she loves Wells. Osborne overcomes his natural jealousy, calls Wells, and repeats Carey's declaration. Wells proposes to Carey, is accepted, and as a wedding gift Osborne offers to set them up for life. Wells, however, refuses the kindness and then reveals his identity, adding that he is wealthy and needs no help. The story then fades out into a picture of happiness.
- Daniel Blake, with his mother, lived from early childhood with his wealthy uncle, his mother's brother, and naturally supposed that he was to be the heir in spite of the fact that the old man had a ward who was the daughter of a dead friend. Daniel had been strengthened in the supposition by his mother and when the old man lay dying and made his will, Mrs. Blake was dumbfounded and near crazed to find that the money was to left to charity. Denouncing the old man for his deception and arguing in favor of her son she was ordered from the room. The old man repented the next day and in a spirit of maliciousness wrote a new will but hid it in a most unusual place. After his death when the will was read by the lawyer, it turned out to be a forged one, as it was dated three days after the old man's death. The lawyer at once jumped to the conclusion that the mother had substituted a will for the original, leaving the money to her son. He accuses her and she pleads for her son's sake to let it stand as it is. The lawyer gives her one hour to return the stolen will and he will say nothing about the deception and crime, but if she refuses he will call in the police. After deliberation, she refuses to give up the original will and defies the lawyer. Her son, overhearing the accusation and defiance, makes his presence known and in a fit of indignation against her, he denounces his mother, even though what she did was for his sake. Severely admonished by the lawyer, the boy soon realizes that her sacrifice of honor was her undoing and in a burst of love he forgives her and offers to build a home for her away from the scene of sorrow. The hidden will is discovered and all ends happily.
- Valentine Maynard, being ambitious to climb the social ladder, decided that his first steps must be to secure a brilliant marriage for his daughter, Dora. Sir Percival Bonehead therefore easily secured a cordial invitation to lay siege to the hand and heart of the great heiress, for Maynard had assured himself that while his Lordship's finances were low, his social position was exceedingly high. However they bad both reckoned without their host, for Dora was secretly engaged to Wallace Ross, who no sooner learned of her father's matrimonial plans for her than he decided to administer the love cure to his Lordship by having his mischievous chum, Roy Cheves, impersonate Dora. Sir Percival proposed and Roy promptly accepted with a vigorous embrace, and upon being complimented upon his strength, begged his Lordship to put on the gloves with him. The unsuspecting Earl complied and as a result received so sound a beating that Maynard's profuse apologies were of no avail. In the meantime, Dora and Wallace had been quietly married on the lawn, and when Maynard seemed inclined to storm, Roy again stepped forward with his boxing gloves, and as a result the young couple received a submissive father's blessing.
- David McCare, the love liar, is a musical genius, the idol of society, hated by men and worshiped by women. He casts off his mistress, Margie Gay, for a new love, Diana Strongwell, an heiress. Margie pleads with him to take her back, but McCare gets rid of her through the services of Ludwig, his valet, and a broken-down musician. Ludwig is also in love with Margie. McCare marries Diana, much to the chagrin of Edna Carewe, a friend of Diana's, who is also attracted by the musician. They live happily for a short tune until McCare becomes discontented and makes advances to Edna. Meanwhile Margie finds the narrow path a stony one. A woman of the streets suggests the easiest way. Margie shrinks but finally consents. The first man she accosts is Ludwig, who leads her to her home and offers marriage. She is reluctant at first, but eventually agrees, and they are married. At a dinner dance given by Diana, she catches McCare making love to Edna. Diana denounces Edna and demands that she leave her home. McCare answers that if Edna goes he, too, will leave. And so husband and wife are parted. In time Diana divorces the "love liar" and he marries Edna. Diana advises Edna later that McCare is an overgrown child, and that in order to keep his love he must be pampered. A year passes. Edna, with the aid of Diana's advice, has made the "love liar" happy. One night in a café he sees Arlene Allaire, a hall-room dancer. At home Edna has given birth to a baby and though it will live, it is evident that its birth will bring death to the mother. Diana, who is at the side of Edna, rushes out to find McCare, and locates him in the café, where he has assumed the leadership of the orchestra and is directing Arlene's dance music. At the news of his wife's illness McCare is stricken with dumb surprise and hurries home. Edna dies in his arms. For days McCare lived in an abstracted mood, watched over by Ludwig and Diana. One day as he plays his violin a vision of Arlene passes before his eyes. He throws off hid brooding mood and goes back to the café and to Arlene. Her bills have been paid by McCare's checks until one day a number of them come back stamped "No Funds," and from that moment on Van Allen, who had been previously paying for everything for the dancer, finds himself again welcome at her apartments. It is here that McCare finds him one evening. The men fight; the police are called and McCare is arrested, but Arlene refuses to make any charge and McCare is simply put out into the street. Ludwig takes McCare home, and there Margie and he care for the wrecked man. But McCare cannot blot the image of Arlene from his mind and he returns to the café where Arlene is dancing, securing employment as a musician. Here Diana finds him. She begs him to tell her his troubles. He breaks down and confesses his love for Arlene. In time drink claimed him, too, and McCare sank lower. Time passed and McCare became desperate with love and jealousy. One night while Arlene is dancing a madness overcomes him. He dashes his violin to the floor, takes Arlene up in his arms and starts with her up the grand stairway to the café. The attendants attempt to overpower him, but he throws them off, and drawing a revolver, compels Arlene, who has scurried away, to come to the foot of the stairs. Covering the startled crowd, he speaks to Arlene, "You've taken all my heart, my honor, my manhood. At your feet I fling the dregs." He shoots himself and falls down the stairway to Arlene's feet. Diana took him home and the "love liar" lived another day, forever calling upon the name of she who had shown him Hell. Diana, ever his friend, went to Arlene's apartment and pleaded with her to come to McCare's bedside. She refuses at first, so Diana poured the contents of her purse at her feet. Thus bribed, Arlene consented to go, and in her arms the soul of the "love liar" passed. When all are gone and Diana is left alone with her dead, she takes him in her arms, for at last he belongs to her, to her alone.
- The widow Millburn lived with her only child, a lad of twelve in her little home down the country lane. The boy was her pride and also only hope of her old age for she looked with great longing to the time when he shall have reached the age when he could contribute to her support, and when he fell suddenly ill late one night she was almost distracted and imagined him dying. The only doctor the neighborhood possessed lived fully four miles away. The distraught mother was torn between fear of leaving her boy alone and the horror of his dying and she powerless to help him. She determined to go, and hastily throwing a shawl about her shoulders, she ran down the road. When about two miles from home and nearly exhausted the poor woman was held up by a highwayman. Her pleadings were powerful enough to touch the heart of the bandit and he sent the mother back to her child and ran for the doctor himself. He refused an invitation of the doctor to ride with him and unknown followed on foot behind the buggy to learn the fate of the boy. The doctor found the boy's illness only a slight one and after reassuring the mother he started home. As he was about to step into his buggy he was stopped by the bandit who questioned him about the case and after the doctor had driven off he made a solemn resolution to henceforth lead a better life.
- A thrilling western drama of love, revenue and luck. Dan and Ed, two cowboys, are in love with the beautiful daughter of their boss, George Martin. Ed is a persistent wooer, but Dan is the favored suitor, as is made clear in the opening scene, in which both men make love to the girl while all are on horseback. The boss sends Dan to pay a mortgage, due at Dallas, and gives Dan twelve thousand dollars in cash to pay the same. Dan starts on his journey and the girl rides part of the way with him. Ed, crazed with jealousy, follows the couple. He sees Dan kiss the girl, and the two separate. Ed follows Dan, catches up with him, strikes him with his whip and dares him to fight. Dan responds with a swift punch which lays Ed out on the ground. Ed draws his pistol and a terrific fight follows. Dan tries only to secure the pistol, but Ed tries to kill Dan. They light to the edge of a cliff. A misstep and Dan goes down into the ravine. Horrified, Ed bends over, and believing Dan killed, he mounts his horse and dashes away. But Dan is not dead. His body, after rolling a hundred feet, catches on the projecting bush and he is left banging in the air, though unconscious. A friendly Indian, passing along the edge of the cliff some hours later, sees Dan's horse, traces the footsteps to the end of the cliff, and, bending down, sees Dan's body caught on the bush. The Indian rides back to his camp nearby and brings with him several other Indians to the rescue of Dan. One of the Indians descends on the rope, ties it to Dan's body, and the other Indians pull both men up to the top of the cliff and to safety. The Indians carry Dan off to their camp and nurse him back to health. As a result of the shock, however, Dan is in a semi-conscious state, and it is made clear that he does not realize what has happened to Dan. Meanwhile the boss has received a letter from the land company to whom the mortgage was due, telling him that as they had not been paid the money they are sending a representative to demand same. Unless Martin can pay the twelve thousand dollars the land company will sell the properly. Martin believes that Dan Blake has run away with the money entrusted to him to pay the mortgage, but the girl insists that Dan is incapable of such an action. A lawyer representing the land company, accompanied by the sheriff of the county, enters and demands the money due on the mortgage. Poor Martin says he cannot pay and breaks down completely at the thought of losing his home. The papers are about to be signed, which will take from Martin the ownership of the "Triple X" Ranch, when a noise is heard. The girl runs to the door, looks out, and then runs back to her father, telling him that Dan is coming. Enter Dan Blake, supported by the two Indians. Dan produces the pocketbook and explains that an accident to him caused the delay. The mortgage is paid and Dan is left alone with the girl. The girl goes out into the kitchen to get some warn food for Dan. Ed enters. He sees Dan and almost collapses in terror, believing that he is looking at Dan Blake's ghost. Dan enjoys the situation for a moment and then the good-hearted fellow realizes that unrequited love had turned Ed's head, and happy in the thought that he has won the girl, he indicates that he will never tell anyone of their fight. The girl enters, followed shortly thereafter by her father, who tiptoes out as he sees the lovers in each other's arms.
- A negro comedy of unusual merit, beautifully photographed, and will make a hit with any audience. Times are hard with the Parson, but he doesn't intend to let that keep him from having a turkey for Thanksgiving, so we see him approaching Dr. Stevens' chicken coop, where the biggest gobbler in the town is kept, and after carefully approaching the coop he starts to climb in. when to his amazement he meets one of his parishioners, Rastus, climbing out with the turkey in his possession, whom he severely lectures on the sin of stealing. Becoming repentant, Rastus turns over the turkey to the Parson. The Parson relents of his severity with Rastus and sends him an invitation to Thanksgiving dinner, which Rastus joyfully accepts. Then we see the Parson preparing the dinner and putting the turkey in the oven, which is taxed to its utmost capacity. The ladies are setting the table as the company arrives, whom they greet with great enthusiasm and all sit down to eat as the Parson brings out the bird from the oven, but, alas! the bird was older than he looked and the Parson calls on Rastus to help carve, which brings out the funniest piece of farce comedy ever seen in a moving picture, and the picture ends with Rastus finishing up one of the legs, which he seems to enjoy in spite of its apparent toughness.
- Margaret Gilbert, a student at a seminary, is more devoted to love-story novels and clandestine meetings with Al Drake than to her studies. Her many capers at school bring protests from the president of the institute and the climax comes when Margaret is caught in the act of eloping with Al and expelled from school. Her older sister Nan is devoted to their father and engaged to William Clifton. Nan exerts herself greatly to develop the good in her sister, having taken the place of her mother who passed away when Margaret was little. Al is the son of a millionaire lawyer. His father's will is that the youth follow the same course in life as he and he showers his boy with every luxury, including unlimited finances and a racing automobile. His father's profession does not appeal to him and Al neglects the study of law, spending his time perfecting a new automobile device, it being his desire to pursue a mechanical career. The youth's habits become known to the father, who informs the youth that his income has been stopped until such time as he proposes to resume the study of law. Disregarding his father's wish, Al starts out to find employment for himself and applies for a position as a chauffeur. He is engaged by William Clifton. William arranges a weekend visit at the home of Nan, his fiancée, and is driven there by Al. It is then that Al sees Margaret again and they are later detected in a love scene by William and Nan. William discharges Al on the spot and the older sister rebukes Margaret for her conduct. William and Nan notice the change in Margaret and wonder at her brooding. William tries to console Margaret, who informs her prospective brother-in-law that she is the wife of Al and that it was a romance of several weeks previous. With pity for the girl, William folds her in his arms, assuring her that he will rectify matters. At this point Nan approaches the couple, and she gathers the impression that William and her younger sister are having a love scene. William's protests fall on deaf ears, but with a mission to perform he goes off satisfied that time will adjust matters. William goes to the city and seeks Al. He hears Al's story of having been cut off financially by his father and decides to go to the father and attempt to bring about a reconciliation. This proves unsuccessful. William is not defeated, however, for he telegraphs Margaret to come to the city at once, it being his plan to bring the girl face to face with her father-in-law. Margaret leaves her home rather mysteriously and later Nan finds the telegram from William, She is heartbroken and tells her father, who urges her to forget. Margaret goes to Al's father, and after much coaxing he finally accepts the girl as his daughter-in-law, forgives his son and there is a happy reunion. Margaret telegraphs her sister that she is coming home with her husband and asks forgiveness. When Nan reads the message she is horror-stricken, believing that William and Margaret have been married. Al and Margaret, with William and the millionaire, arrive at the Gilbert home. They are received by the father, who is wrought up over the whole affair until the correct circumstances are revealed and then he readily forgives. Nan has not made her appearance and she is sought by Margaret. With bowed head the older sister clasps hands with Al, feeling all the time that it is William. She finally raises her head and recognizes Al and realizes the folly of her thoughts. Asking forgiveness of her sister and William, Nan falls into William's embrace.
- William Carr, manager of an ostrich industry, receives a big order for feathers and boas from an heiress, who selects colors of the off-shade and pastel tints. The head dyer is ignorant of some of the necessary formulas, but insists that he can act on the order successfully. The tints are not according to order, and the heiress refuses to accept the feathers. Carr sends for the most expert dyer in the world, John Williams, severely reprimanding the head dyer. When John Williams arrives, he brings with him his daughter, Bessie. Judd Brown, the dyer, leads the other dyers in revolt. He is determined to get the formulas from the old man and when he adds an insult to the daughter he is discharged by the manager. Judd Brown then begins an active campaign of enmity and determines that he will get the formulas at any cost. He excites the other men to his way of thinking, and they go to the cottage of the old man one night to bully him into disclosing the formulas. The old man is teaching his daughter the formulas in cipher when the men enter. He quickly tears the formulas into ribbons. This infuriates the ruffians and they drag the old man and girl to the dyeing room. In the struggle along the path, Bessie's hat with a beautiful feather, which the manager presented her, is lost. In the dye rooms the villains torture one against the other, trying to coerce the secret from Williams. Failing to get the secret, they drag the girl off, telling the father they are going to cast her into the ostrich pen, stampede the ostriches and the girl will be kicked to death. Car has worked late that night and coming from his office he finds Bessie's hat. Knowing the insubordinate attitude of his men and the ruffian, Judd Brown, his suspicions are aroused and he goes to the dyeing rooms and sees evidence of a struggle. From a window he witnesses the outrage of Brown and the ruffians as they drag the father and daughter toward the pen. He makes all haste to the scene, rescues the girl and her father, and a struggle follows, the manager and the old man conquering Brown and his gang. The simple little English girl has wound herself around the manager's heart with her sweet way, and all ends happily.