- On a South Sea island, wealthy hunter Scott Quaigg meets Tiare, the daughter of a drunken Scotsman and a native woman, who happily give permission to marry her. While sailing to his home in New York, Quaigg treats Tiare roughly and throws Captain Croft overboard when he comes to her defense. Quaigg attempts to tame Tiare by exploiting her superstitions and threatening her with the same whip he uses on his pet leopard. Later, Tiare awaits her husband's return from a hunting trip with a gun and fires as a man enters, only to discover that it is Captain Croft, who was saved from drowning. Quaigg finds them together and releases the leopard. However, the beast kills its master before being shot by Croft. Afterward, Tiare and Croft return to the South Seas together.—AFI
- On the island of Pali in the South Seas, Angus McKenzie lives with his native wife Mamoe and their daughter Tiare. While performing a dance, Tiare attracts the attention of Scott Quaigg, an American millionaire and big game hunter. Quaigg has landed aboard a yacht commanded by Captain Donald Croft. When Quaigg gets rough with Tiare, Croft intercedes, and earns the girl's gratitude. Quaigg wants McKenzie to sell him his daughter, but although McKenzie refuses at first, Mamoe sees this as an opportunity to rid herself of the girl. Playing on Tiare's superstitions, Mamoe gives Quaigg a small wax image of the girl. Tiare comes upon Quaigg repeating an incantation, as he is melting the wax image over a fire. Terrified, Tiare agrees to marry Quaigg. As the yacht bearing them leaves the island, Tiare attempts to throw herself into the sea, but is coerced back by Quaigg when he displays her wax image. During the voyage, Croft continues to treat Tiare with kindness. But Quaigg plans to tame her as he hopes to tame a caged leopardess he is taking back to the States as a trophy. During a stormy night, Quaigg gets drunk and sends one of the drunken sailors for Tiare. He then orders her to dance for him and the crew. She refuses, but relents when he again threatens her with the wax image. When Croft intercedes, Quaigg orders him to leave. The two fight, and Quaigg throws Croft over the rail into the sea. Tiare locks herself in her cabin, and Quaigg takes command of the yacht. Three months later, Tiare is living in Quaigg's country home overlooking the Hudson River. He orders her to prepare for guests; he intends to show them how he can manage his wife. He exhibits the leopardess for his guests as well. Quaigg orders Tiare to dance for his guests, menacing her again with the wax figure. Later, Quaigg leaves on a hunting trip, but promises to have it out with Tiare when he returns. When a telegram arrives announcing his return, Tiare prepares a plan. At midnight, she stands at the top of the stairs, revolver in hand. A man enters the front door and she shoots him. She is then horrified to discover the wounded man is Croft. He had survived drowning, and had washed ashore on an island from which a passing steamer had rescued him. He had returned seeking vengeance against Quaigg. Tiare tells Croft about her fear of the wax image. Croft convinces her that the Evil Spirit of Pali is powerless in America. The pair hear Quaigg arriving, so Croft hides in a store room, holding Tiare's revolver. Quaigg discovers Croft's hiding place, and goes to Tiare, taunting her, but not telling her he knows Croft is alive. Tiare tells him she no longer fears him. Quaigg produces the wax figure and proceeds to melt it, but Tiare, convinced that no harm can come to her, rejoices in her freedom. She goes to find Croft. Quaigg releases the leopardess from her cage and drives her toward the room where Tiare and Croft are hiding. But Tiare uses Quaigg's whip to intimidate the animal. The leopardess turns on Quaigg. Croft shoots the animal, but not before it kills Quaigg. Croft and Tiare return to the island, happily married.
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