Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
to
to
Exclude
Only includes titles with the selected topics
to
In minutes
to
1-50 of 2,001
- The scene is laid in one of the trading posts of the Hudson Bay Company and the young factor, Malcolm Young, loves Utoka, the pretty daughter of the chief of a nearby tribe. Jules Laprese also loves the girl and the half-breed hates Malcolm as much as he loves the pretty Indian maiden. Only Utoka's watchfulness saves the young factor's life on several occasions and this loving care is relaxed only when Jules brings her a letter and photograph which he has stolen from the factor. The picture is that of a beautiful young white girl and the loving message that accompanies it leaves small room for question of the factor's lack of good faith. Utoka is prostrated by grief and Jules leads her father to believe that a more serious wrong has been wrought by the head of the trading post. With his braves the old chief captures the factor and drags him, a prisoner, to the camp where Malcolm is put to torture before the fire is to mercilessly end his sufferings. Meanwhile Utoka, who cannot believe her lover guilty, seeks the post and discovers what has taken place. With the good father, the missionary who keeps pace with the advance of the Hudson Bay posts, Utoka returns to the camp and saves the life of the factor. He proves that the letter was from his sister and not from some sweetheart in Montreal and the half-breed is made to suffer punishment for the affront he has put upon the tribe.
- Mrs. and Mr. Sarah Jane Brown, note the names, are a married couple of 1920. They first appear in the Brown dining room, where Mr. Brown enters from the kitchen with a tray and puts breakfast on the table. One of the Brown girls slaps one of the Brown boys, a timid creature of 13, and makes the poor dear cry. Mrs. Brown, dressed in a very masculine costume, comes in, sits down at the table and pours her coffee. Mr. Brown waits on her, tremblingly. She tries to cut the meat, but it is too touch. She declares the coffee is cold, gets angry and scolds Mr. Brown. That poor man bursts into tears and flees to the kitchen. Mrs. Brown rises angrily, takes her overcoat and Derby and goes out, slamming the door. We next see Mrs. Brown at her office, where she is very attentive to a lady-like young man, her stenographer. We see her at the club, smoking and playing cards with others of her kind. We see Mr. Brown at home making beds, sweeping, washing the clothes, hanging them out and gossiping over the back fence with another man who is similarly employed. We see Mr. Brown "up against" a problem that troubles some present-day women. He stops his wife, one morning, just as she is leaving for the office, shows her his worn-out clothes and shoes and pleads with her for money to get new ones. Mrs. Brown laughs and snaps her fingers and goes out, slamming the door and leaving poor Mr. Brown in tears. Then, dear, sweet, Willie Brown is wooed and won by a handsome young woman, whom his mother brings home and introduces, and the scene closes with the wedding bells ringing merrily for the young woman and her blushing bridegroom.
- A beautiful story of a poor young musician who has composed an exquisite symphony. Adjoining his squalid quarters is a room occupied by a young lady of good family, but impoverished. She can hear the wonderful strains of the symphony played by the young musician and becomes first interested in the music and then in love with the composer. Together they plan to apprise the world of the genius. One evening, as a renowned musician is leaving a concert hall, after one of his great successes, the young composer throws the score of the symphony into the carriage of the great musician. Curiosity compels the musician to read the music and, at home, on his own instrument, he discovers the great work of the poor young composer. He adopts the symphony as his own and adds new laurels to his already great career. One evening at a concert at which the symphony is played the real composer rises in the audience and denounces the player, claiming the symphony as his. He is taken to prison and later put into an asylum. The young woman lover hears of his plight and intercedes with a rich aunt to secure his release. The aunt believes in the young composer and his work and conspires to show the musician who has stolen the symphony in his true colors. She invites him to a musicale in her home and requests him to play the symphony. As he is playing, the young composer, now released from the asylum, tears the score into pieces and asks the musician to now play the symphony. Of course the musician cannot and acknowledges the young pauper composer's wonderful genius.
- The Russian Czar sends his trusted confidant, Michael Strogoff, to warn his brother the Grand Duke of a Tartar rebellion that will be led by Feofar Khan and Ivan Ogareff. Calling himself Nicholas Korpanoff, Strogoff poses as a trader to journey to warn the Grand Duke. On his way he meets Nadia Fedorova, a young girl trying to join her father Wassili, a political activist who has been exiled to Siberia. Strogoff is captured by the Tartars, who don't believe he is a trader and threaten to torture Strogoff's mother Marfa unless he reveals his true identity.
- Sam could not help spooning any more than he could help eating. He had three square meals a day and spent the remainder of the time spooning pretty Sue. Sue was quite willing to be spooned, though there was another chap who wanted to marry her and Sam had a fine time. But Pa Sprague, Sue's father, had forgotten long ago the time when he himself was young, and he had no sympathy with spooners. He told Sue she could not see Sam except in the house where Pa and Ma could keep an eye on them, and dutiful daughter sent word to Sam. But Sam spooned just the same. That was too much for Pa, and he went after the minister. Sam made a record-breaking sprint for the door and didn't stop running until he saw a young married couple admiring their first baby that made him think he might like to get married, and he went back after Sue. Meanwhile, the other fellow had come along and she had decided that she would rather marry a man who didn't spoon so much but meant it more. The minister was still there and the knot was tied before Sam poked his face through the doorway and announced that after all he thought he would be married if it wasn't too much trouble to the minister. Pa Sprague told him what he thought of him and Sue added an appendix. Then Pa Sprague took a malicious delight in putting Sam out of the house, so Sam went and spooned somewhere else.
- Percival is a spoiled mama's boy. When two toughs make time with his girlfriend he sends a telegram to his mother for help.
- In 1863, two brothers were conducting a prosperous brokerage business left them by their father. The older brother was very industrious; the younger was easy-going and inclined to drink. Through his negligence, the business was brought to ruin in spite of all the older brother could do. When the crash came, the younger brother, ashamed of himself, went home, left a note to his mother stating that he was unwilling to be a burden to her, and went away. The older brother saved enough out of the wreck to open a country store. In the village, he met a young girl and they became sweethearts. Meanwhile, the younger brother had gone from bad to worse and finally became a derelict and a tramp. In the course of his wanderings, he come to the village and as chance would have it, called at the home of his brother's sweetheart in search of food. She took him in and gave him a meal and some clothes. While he was eating, the tramp overheard him tell the girl that he had been drafted to go to the war. Though he was anxious to become a soldier, he hesitated on account of his mother and sweetheart. In that moment, the prodigal was overwhelmed with remorse and determined to redeem himself. When his brother left, he followed him, stealthily entered the house, found the drafting paper, stole it and immediately presented himself at the recruiting place where he was accepted in place of his brother. The last scene shows him in the midst of a battle fighting bravely and recklessly. Suddenly he drops, mortally wounded. During a short period of consciousness before his life is ebbed away, he has a beautiful vision of his mother, his older brother and the latter's sweetheart, now his wife, living in happiness and peace.
- The Jordans, Phil and Ruth, accompanied by Philip's wife, Polly, and Dr. Winthrop Newbury, a suitor for Ruth's hand, bid old Mrs. Jordan good-bye at the station of Milford Corners, Mass., and depart for the west, to work over some unredeemed desert land, which was left to the Jordans by their dead father. Arriving in the west, they take up their work, but it proves anything but a success. On the brink of the Great Divide lives Stephen Ghent, an untamed and untrained man of the west, and on account of his manner is respected by the habitués of Miller's saloon and dance hall in the town, which he and two of his acquaintances in the persons of Pedro, a half-breed Mexican, and Dutch, a brutal type of the west, frequent. Polly tires of western life and jumps at the chance to take a trip to Frisco. Philip drives her down to the station that night. On an adjoining ranch a cowpuncher is seriously hurt and a boy is dispatched for Dr. Newbury. After cautioning Ruth to retire early, the doctor takes his leave. Stephen Ghent, Pedro, and Dutch are down in the town drinking. They afterward depart and start up the Coldwater Trail, which runs alongside of the Jordan home. As they pass the dimly lighted cabin, they see a woman standing in the doorway. Cautiously approaching the door, they enter the cabin and Ruth is overpowered. Dutch and Ghent fight a duel for her in which Dutch is killed. Pedro is bought off by Ghent with a string of nuggets, and Ruth belongs to him. In the man of the woods, Ruth recognizes the ideal man she desires for a helpmate. Ruth agrees to marry Ghent and live as his wife in name only until he has changed his character. Ghent agrees and they are married. Ghent then brings her to his cabin. As day by day goes by, Ruth begins to see other qualities in her husband and also to believe in him. One night, however, Ghent filled with a desire for her and goaded on by the whiskey that is in him breaks his promise. Ruth denounces him for his actions and tells him that not until he has purged himself through suffering will she ever believe in him again. She also tells him that she is going to earn enough money to buy back the string of nuggets from Pedro, with which he managed to get her into his power. Some time later Ruth departs for town to sell her last blanket. She has been weaving Navajo blankets in order to raise the necessary amount to buy back the nuggets. In the meantime the Jordans become disgusted and prepare to go back east. While waiting at the station they find Ruth, who has just completed the sale of her blanket. They see her start up the trail and follow her on foot. Ruth buys back the string of nuggets from Pedro, but she has not time to turn it over to Ghent upon her arrival at the cabin before she is overtaken by the others. It is her desire to have them believe she is happy and refuses to go back east with them. She introduces Ghent to them just as they are ready to catch the train. Ghent, unable to understand her changed attitude, starts to thank her. She tells him that circumstances forced her to act as she did, but that she is now able to buy back her freedom from him. Ghent is stunned, and at first refuses to let her go, but when she tells him of the life that is to come and that it is their duty to protect its happiness through a mother's love, he finally releases her from her promise, and Ruth, with the sense of newfound freedom, starts down the trail to overtake the others before it is too late. Ghent's attention as he looks after her is suddenly attracted to a bit of trembling earth on the mountainside. He realizes the great danger that Ruth is in and starts down the trail to rescue her. He is just in time and has thrown her to one side when the landslide comes upon him and carries him into the valley below. The rumbling sound has caused the others to look back. A reunion takes place over the injured Ghent. He is brought to the cabin, where he recovers under the care and attention of Dr. Newbury and Ruth. Ruth tells him that he has purged himself through his suffering and once more the couple start out in life upon a happier basis.
- Tired Thomas is pressed for ready cash as a square meal is almost a stranger to him. After a heavy snowfall he is offered a quarter to shovel off a sidewalk. He accepts the contract and starts in to work, but finds work a little too hard. He is about to give up when he gets an idea that almost throws him in a snowbank. Looking down the streets, he sees several of the neighbors shoveling their sidewalks. He starts to cry, the men and women from the different houses run to where he is and ask him what is the trouble. He puts his hand in his pocket and shows a hole, telling them he has lost his last dollar. The kind neighbors agree to shovel off the snow in the hope of finding the lost coin. After the sidewalk has been cleared and they fail to find the money (Thomas has been crying all this time) they take up a collection and realize a fair sum which they hand him. He thanks them. After they leave, he picks up the shovel, goes to the door and receives a quarter for cleaning the pavement. But just as he is receiving the money one of the neighbors spies him and informs the rest. They have a little rough house with our friend Mr. Jackson and the picture closes with the people throwing him down a snowy hill.
- Mrs. Pemberton-Pomeroy takes her niece, Alice Langdon, to the Lazy K ranch to recuperate from the effect of an arduous social campaign following the announcement of the engagement of Alice to a distant cousin, Rex Leachwood, who is another protégé of the rich and autocratic old lady. Rex is left behind to enjoy the roof-garden performances and the comforts of his club, which is much more to his taste than roughing it on a ranch with a girl whom he is marrying only because his aunt insists and wields the ever effective club of disinheritance. But soon there comes a hurry call from the ranch. Alice has taken more than a decided liking to Donald Barton, who returns her interest compounded. Until Alice came Don was entirely content to be engaged to Bessie Bowman, daughter of the owner of Lazy K and pretty Bessie joins forces with Mrs. Pemberton-Pomeroy to win her sweetheart back. Rex answers the summons promptly, as is wise in an heir presumptive, but he finds Bessie decidedly interesting and proposes that they start a mild flirtation and by rousing Don's jealousy win him back for her. In hundreds of romances the scheme has worked most successfully but this time they who play with fire are burned and Rex and Bessie find themselves very much in love with each other. Rex, recklessly forgetful of the masterful Mrs. Pemberton-Pomeroy, urges Bessie to break her engagement to Don but she tearfully refuses though she admits that she loves only Rex. Don, on his part, has been having no easy time of it for Alice will not return to Rex the ring that marks her betrothal. It seems to be up to somebody to do something so Don and Rex get busy. Rex challenges Don to a duel and with saddened faces the rivals stalk past the girls and Mrs. Pemberton-Pomeroy. Don lets drop the challenge and Bessie finds it. Wild with terror she shows it to the others and they hurry after the combatants. Mrs. Pemberton-Pomeroy is not built on the lines of a cross country runner but she makes pretty good time though the two boys get a little tired of waiting before they hear the bulky lady crashing through the brush. As the trio come upon the field of combat the men are facing each other with upraised guns. Bessie runs to shield Rex and Alice hurries to Don. Mrs. Pemberton-Pomeroy throws up her hands in resignation over the first situation she ever lost control of and her anger is not greatly cooled by the fans contained in the trick pistols with which the mock duel was fought.
- EPISODE 1: In the little village of Elmhurst is a lonely house with shuttered windows, the home of a suspicious recluse known as Professor Gershom, who is considered more than half mad. No one has ever guessed the secret of the old house, that within its walls a beautiful girl has grown from childhood to womanhood without ever speaking to a human being except her strange guardian. Alene is in heart a child, but she is deeply learned in all things that a really great scientist has been able to teach her. Gershom, however, is vaguely conscious that about her there is something incomplete and imperfect. Alene herself is unaware that the restlessness which prevents her finding interest in the life she has heretofore led is due to the stirring of the primal instinct to seek a mate. Something seems calling her out into the world, and unquestioning, she answers the call, stealing from the old house while Gershom sleeps. Fate wills that Robert Dane shall be the first man Alene shall meet. Though neither is aware, a flame of love is instantly kindled. Alene, with the simplicity of perfect purity, demands that Dane take her to live in his house, and is heartbroken when he conducts her instead to her own home. Dane is himself miserable, for he thinks this wonderful little person must be demented, and that it is for this reason that she has been hidden from the world. Sadly Alene enters the old house, to find a scene of horror. Stretched upon the floor, with the blood matting his hair, is Professor Gershom and upon the edge of a curtain is a human hand, the figure itself being concealed by the drapery. In the fascination of terror Alene draws near enough to the mysterious hand to observe that it wears a peculiar ring, and then flees from the place. Alene finds Dane and induces him to return with her to the house, they being accompanied by Dr. Duncan, a kindly old village practitioner and friend of Dane. They find the old house empty; the body of Gershom has disappeared, and there is no one behind the curtain. Dr. Duncan takes Alene to his home, though she declares that she would prefer to go with Dane, and she is tenderly cared for by the doctors old wife. Dr. Duncan and his wife also think the poor child demented, but hope time and kindness may cure the ill. As to her identity they have no clue and can only surmise her relationship to Gershom. Alone in his study Dane is dreaming of Alene. EPISODE 2: Caleb Jerome is a private banker of the old school, most highly esteemed in the business world and considered a man of wealth. In striking contrast to the simple life of his father, Calebs only son, Gilbert, is a libertine. Nevertheless Gilbert is his fathers idol, and for his sake the old man has not hesitated at a secret crime, though the son treats him with indifference. Caleb is paying a terrible price for the doubtful success which his greatest crime offered. Wherever he may be, an incredible horror dogs his steps. When his eyes rest upon a face, whether it be that of a stranger or a familiar friend or servant, that face suddenly becomes that of a dead man, Prof. Gershom, Realizing that his end is near, Caleb sends for his son, and tells him what he has done and the reasons for the act; that the fortune supposed to be his was originally for Alene, and that in an attempt to destroy the evidence whereby this girl, should she live to become of age, will recover her fortune and make Gilbert Jerome a beggar. Caleb murderously struck down old Gershom, the girls protector, and threw his body into the river. The documents he sought, Caleb had been unable to find. Gilbert assures him that either the documents will be found and destroyed, or that Alene shall not live to become of age. Soon after, the horror of the face of fear becomes too great to be endured, and Caleb Jerome dies. Meantime, Alene has been tenderly cared for by Dr. Duncan and his wife, Martha, and Duncan has awakened to the fact that Alene is not mad, but as sane as any other perfectly normal person. With the frankness of perfect purity, the girl shows her instinctive desire for the love of a man and her choice of Robert Dane. Danes love for Alene now completely fills his heart with soul-stirring passion, but he sternly represses his emotions, thinking that it would be unfair to Alene to marry her before a greater knowledge of the world enables her to choose a husband on the basis of practical affairs, rather than to act merely on emotional impulse. Rather sadly he tells himself that as she has only a childs heart still, it means nothing that she turns to him now. EPISODE 3: But a short time has elapsed since Alene first came from the old house in which she grew to womanhood, but already her keen mind is sensing the true basis of certain conventionalities, and when Martha, Dr. Duncans wife, suggests that she exchange her Grecian robe for more modern garments, the girl agrees after asking, Will Robert Dane like me better? Already there is creeping into Alenes manner toward Dane a trace of shyness, but he does not realize that this shyness is a mantle which her awakening soul is drawing about itself; he still regards her as a child and hides his love. Dane is a frequent visitor at the Duncan home, and on one occasion Alene follows when the doctor takes Dane to inspect the one thing of interest in the village. This is a large silver cup which for many years has hung beside a mineral spring. Its origin is a mystery, and many traditions have been woven about it, so that no one in the village would dream of removing it. It is curiously engraved with a promise of health to whoever drinks from it here, and a warning that elsewhere it will give death. The most extraordinary feature is, however, that the water of the spring, absolutely undrinkable from any other vessel, has, when taken from this cup, astonishing medicinal value. Alene solves the mystery of the cup by telling them that Prof. Gershom placed it beside the spring when she was a child, though they can form no idea of his motives, or determine why the cup exerts so strange an influence on the water of the spring. Shortly after, Alene chances to meet Abner Gray, a simple-hearted young villager who immediately falls in love with her. Alene observes on Abners hand the ring which she saw upon the hand grasping the curtain in the House of Secrets, and concludes that Abner killed old Gershom, not being aware that the ring has just been found by Abner. This belief causes her to treat Abner with kindness; she is grateful that he should have done something which has resulted in a happier life for her. Her mind is not yet prepared to grasp the idea that to kill Gershom was a crime. She treats Abner with frank fondness, and Dr. Duncan is delighted, thinking that marriage to Abner would be a simple solution of the rather difficult problem of her future. Dane misunderstands Alenes attitude toward Abner and with self-deprecation deems her apparent turning to Abner natural and proper and as confirmation of his former idea that the preference she showed him in the first place was only a childish fancy. At this time Gilbert Jerome arrives in the village, coldly determined that if the documents which will dispossess him of his stolen fortune cannot be found and destroyed, Alene shall die. EPISODE 4: Immediately after his arrival in the village, Gilbert Jerome makes the acquaintance of Dr. Duncan and of Alene, and falling passionately in love with the girl, determines to marry her, thus saving the fortune and at the same time coming into possession of what he regards as a rare and unique specimen of feminine attractiveness. It does not occur to his predatory mind to attempt a courtship; he intends to force her into a marriage by whatever means may be available. He decides to eliminate Abner Gray, his only rival. It is Alene herself who affords the means. Asked by Gilbert why she likes Abner so well, the girl tells him quite simply that it is because Abner killed old Gershom. This she knows because of the ring which Abner wears. Gilbert of course knows, through his fathers confession, that Abner is innocent, but seizes this chance to dispose of him once and for all. He informs the authorities of Alenes statement, and Abner is arrested, charged with murder. Dr. Duncan and his wife, through an act of kindness, have exposed themselves to smallpox, and have been quarantined along with the person stricken with the disease. Alene instinctively seeks Robert Dane for protection and advice, only to be informed that he has gone away without stating his destination. As a matter of fact, Dane has gone to the nearby city in response to a message that the failure of a trust company has wiped out his small fortune and that his presence is necessary if anything at all is to be saved from the wreck. Alene is thus left entirely friendless, all the other villagers regarding her with suspicion and disapproval, and Gilbert thinks she must fall an easy victim to his desires although his plans have been somewhat interfered with by the arrival in the village of Clara, a woman who is madly in love with him, and who presents herself as his wife. At Gilberts order, she leaves the village proper, but secretly finds lodging at a farmhouse nearby. Alene begins to comprehend the peril in which Abner stands. In horror she tells herself that they will hang him, because she told of the ring and that it will be she who will send him to his death. EPISODE 5: Alene is almost brokenhearted at the apparent indifference of Robert Dane, and is utterly miserable at the thought that Abner Gray will be put to death because she told of the ring. In desperation she appeals to a lawyer for advice. He tells her that it is on her testimony alone that the prosecution will attempt to convict Abner of the murder of Gershom, and that there is no way by which a person can evade giving testimony, the only exception to this being that under the laws of this State a wife is not permitted to testify in a trial of her husband. Alene then sees how she may save Abner, if they are married before he can be brought to trial she cannot be compelled to testify and he cannot be convicted. Beyond this primary fact, she does not consider the effect of the marriage as pertaining to herself, to her it appears only as a formality. She acts with decision, and before the furious prosecuting attorney can interfere, she is Abner Grays wife. Abner is still held in jail, and Alene returns to the Duncan house. Here she finds a note signed, Robert Dane directing her to come at once to a certain lonely old mill, and she immediately sets out. This note is a forgery, having been sent by Clara. Gilbert Jeromes former flame, who, mad with jealousy, has determined to take Alenes life. Meanwhile, Dane has learned through the press of the arrest of Abner and of the fact that Dr. Duncan and his wife have been subjected to quarantine, and is hurrying back to the village, apprehensive of what may happen to Alene while alone. Alene arrives at the abandoned mill, and is lured into the building by Clara, who tells her that Dane is waiting. Clara opens a door, gives Alene a violent shove into the room, and laughs in wild triumph. The rotten floor boards give way and Alene plunges into a deep pool of slimy water. EPISODE 6: Having learned through the press of the murder charge against Abner Gray and of the quarantining of Dr. Duncan and his wife, Robert Dane hurries back to Elmhurst and directly to the Duncan home. He finds the forged note, and realizes that some danger threatens Alene. He sets out for the old mill, and when passing the county jail encounters Abner, who has been released, the prosecuting attorney realizing that, without Alenes testimony, he cannot even indict Abner. Dane shows the note and tells of his fears, and the two men hurry to the abandoned mill, arriving in time to hear Alenes despairing cries as she sinks in the stagnant water of the hidden pool. Dane and Abner rush into the building, and are trapped by Clara as Alene had been. Clara then hurries away, seeking Gilbert Jerome. Gilbert is at the village hotel, having just returned from the performance of a characteristic deed. He coolly ignores the angry protests of certain villagers and informs then that the silver cup which he has taken is as much his as anyone elses. Clara tells Gilbert that she has killed Alene, but that no one will suspect it was not an accident that caused the girls death, and calms his rage by reminding him that his fortune is made safe by her act. Gilberts satisfied greed salves his disappointed passion, and, with Clara, he takes the train for the city. Meanwhile, the old mill has been the scene of an heroic sacrifice. Abner Gray, given more than human strength by his great love for Alene, his wife only in name, has saved her from apparently certain death, and at the same time restored Robert Dane to life, while he, despite efforts of Dane, perishes. Dane conducts Alene to the Duncan home, and learns that Clara and Gilbert Jerome have left the village. Alene is sorely grieved at the death of Abner, but it is a grief such as she would have felt for a well-loved brother, not a lover, and it is with a longing that is growing day by day that she wistfully whispers to herself, Surely Robert Dane will take me now? But Dane has blinded his own hungry heart, and does not understand. EPISODE 7: Supposing Alene, Dane and Abner Gray to have died in the trap set by Clara, Gilbert Jerome and the woman leave the village. Their train is wrecked and Clara is killed outright. Gilbert is also reported killed, though he is in fact uninjured and proceeds to his home, taking the silver cup with him. Danes financial ruin is complete, and it is necessary that he find employment. Thinking that no further danger menaces Alene, he enlists the services of a kindly old lady who promises to look after the girl, and departs for the city. Believing that Alenes fancy for him has already died, Dane thinks it will be best for her as well as for himself to allow her to forget him, and does not even inform her of his address. It is not long after Danes departure that Alene is told that Doctor Duncan and his wife are dead, and the Duncan home is seized by the sheriff on behalf of Duncans creditors. The timid old lady engaged by Dane is incapable of rising to the situation, and leaves Alene to the disposition of the officer, who brutally tells her that she is to go to the poor-farm. Surely Robert Dane will take me now, she soliliquises, and with simple faith steals away to seek him. She does not even vaguely comprehend the magnitude of this undertaking. She knows only that Dane has gone to the city, and has been told that the highway from the village leads there. In the city Dane is vainly striving to put from his heart the love which he thinks can only bring him sorrow, and Gilbert Jerome is savagely cursing the fate which, as he thinks, has made him secure in the possession of his stolen fortune but robbed him of the girl of his desire. When darkness falls Alene is far along her lonely road, weary, penniless and utterly ignorant of the ways or dangers of the world. EPISODE 8: Robert Dane has not met with success in the city, failing to secure employment and receiving an offer of but a thousand dollars for a chemical formula which he knows to be worth a fortune. Moreover, he is rendered miserable by what he persists in regarding as his futile love for Alene. He becomes obsessed with the idea that the girl is again in danger, and obeys an impulse to return to the village. He has, in fact, heard, with the strange power of one soul attuned with another, the wistful whisper of the girl, alone in the world, I am so weary and afraid. Cant you hear me, Robert Dane! When he reaches the village he learns that Alene has disappeared, leaving no trace. Crushed with fear and grief, he searches in vain for some clue. Meanwhile, Alene has been carried to the city by a kindly farmer bound for the market. She is seen by Gilbert Jerome, who forgets the danger to his fortune in the revival of his passionate hopes and his delight in finding that Alene still lives. Gilberts plans are temporarily balked, however, by the interference of Daisy, a show girl, who knows through sad experience the fate that threatens Alene, and who takes her under her protection. In order that she may keep watch over her protégé, Daisy secures for Alene a place in the chorus of the show with which she is engaged, devoting her spare time to a search for Dane. Gilbert succeeds in having Daisy discharged and so separating her from Alene, it being necessary, inasmuch as Daisy is entirely without funds, that Alene retain her position. Realizing that the only practical hope of locating Dane is to trace him from a logical starting point, Daisy goes to Elmhurst. Gilbert has by this time completed his plans, and lures Alene to his house. Totally unconscious of the trap into which she has been led, Alene joyously awaits the promised coming of Dane and readily agrees to have supper while so waiting. She observes on the sideboard the silver cup taken by Gilbert from the mineral spring, and, taking it up, reproaches him for having removed it from the place where it had so long remained undisturbed. Taking the cup from her, Gilbert fills it with wine, and with the statement that always he takes whatever he may want, drinks. An instant later he reels and falls, and the butler, rushing to his assistance, draws back in dazed fright, whispering, He is dead! EPISODE 9: Upon reaching the village of Elmhurst, Daisy, the show-girl and self-appointed guardian of Alene, inquires of the first man she sees where she can obtain information concerning Robert Dane. It is to Dane himself that the inquiry has been addressed, he having been forced to abandon as hopeless his efforts to trace Alene and being on the point of returning to the city. With the skill of long experience, Daisy readily reads Danes character, and, satisfied, informs him that Alene is safe and offers to conduct him to her. Reaching the city, Daisy and Dane proceed to Daisys room and then to the theater in search of Alene. At the latter place they learn from the doorkeeper, who has overheard the address given to the driver of the taxi in which Alene was taken away, that the girl has gone to Gilbert Jeromes house. In an agony of apprehension they hurry to the house, arriving at about the same instant that Gilbert drains the silver cup. They are, of course unaware of what is taking place, and enlist the aid of an officer, on whom Daisys frantically earnest appeals make an impression. The officer goes to the side of the house, where he can look into the dining room, while Dane and Daisy force their way past the servant who opens the front door. The officer looks in the window just as the horrified butler announces that Gilbert Jerome is dead. Dane and Daisy reach the dining room just as the officer springs in at the window and assumes charge of the situation. Alene feels no grief at Gilberts death, and pretends no regret, but ignoring the incident, is entirely happy to again meet Dane. A telephoned report to the police station bring detectives and a doctor and the latter at once declares Gilbert dead, and further, that he obviously died from some unusual poison. The brief investigation conducted on the spot seems to point conclusively to the guilt of Alene, and her unconventional manner and words count heavily against her. At the police station, she is held on a charge of murder, Dane, Daisy, the butler and Gilberts footman being detained as witnesses for the inquest. Dane, realizing how strong is the circumstantial evidence against Alene, is hearthroken, but the girl herself is only bewildered that she should be shut in a prison cell. EPISODE 10: The death of Gilbert Jerome attracts great attention, and the grand jury acts promptly, indicting Alene for murder. her trial is set for an early date. Robert Dane is almost in despair, for though sure that Alene is innocent, he realizes that a terrible array of circumstantial evidence will be brought against her. The show girl, Daisy, has not faltered in her friendship for Alene. A great change has taken place in Daisys character since her meeting with Alene, and, sickened by the contrast between her own sad past and Alenes innate purity, she has bravely determined that she will rebuild her wrecked life and that henceforth there shall be in it nothing of sorrow or shame. Also, for the first time, she knows the meaning of real love. Though she gives no sign, Dane has completely filled her hungry heart. In order to obtain money with which to engage a noted lawyer to defend Alene, Dane sells for a thousand dollars his chemical formula, which is really worth a fortune. Soon after, Alenes trial takes place. As Dane feared, the State is able to forge a strong chain of circumstantial evidence, in which even Danes testimony is a link. It is proved that the poison which killed Gilbert Jerome was contained in the silver cup, and that this cup was handed him by Alene. Her honest indifference to Gilberts fate is regarded as a demonstration of utter callousness, and her weary bewilderment is construed as the blasé indifference of the hardened criminal, the veil of mystery shrouding her life to within the past few months being pointed to with sinister suggestion. The lawyer engaged by Dane stakes everything on the personal appeal which Alene may make to the jury, but when she is called upon to tell her own story, she says simply, Everything was just as has been said, but I do not know what killed Gilbert Jerome. Very shortly the jury returns its verdict: guilty, and in an agony of horror, Dane hears the girl whom he now realizes is more precious to him than life and all things else that life may hold, condemned to be hanged by the neck until she is dead. EPISODE 11: The date set for the execution of Alene for the murder of Gilbert Jerome is only one day off, and there appears no hope of saving her, the governor having refused to intervene. With a desperate effort, Robert Dane shakes off the stupor of despair which has numbed his brain and strains every faculty in an effort to find the key to the mystery. He is absolutely sure of Alenes complete innocence and that she is the victim of strange circumstances. Suddenly a light seems to break through the darkness, but so strange and startling is its suggestion that he is almost forced to regard it as an insane fancy rather than a logical deduction. Yet, to every test of reasoning, the idea persists, and he realizes that, assuming Alenes innocence, it must be the truth, and that in the silver cup is the secret of Gilberts death. The mysterious words upon the cup assume meaning as he now recalls them: Drink without a fear / Life I promise here / But death to whoso dare / Touch his lips elsewhere. Dane appeals to the court officials for permission to experiment with the cup, but is told that it is a part of the records and cannot be permitted in his possession. He realizes that to urge his theory without positive proof would be utterly futile, but does not for an instant abandon his plan to save the girl he loves from the gallows. He makes a quick trip to Elmhurst, returning with a flask of water from the mineral spring, and when the courthouse is untenanted except for a night watchman, undertakes to steal the silver cup, from the court records. He succeeds in gaining possession of the cup, but is fired upon by the watchman, who also sends in a police call. Dane, with the cup, reaches his room, though he is badly wounded. The court officials recall Danes effort to borrow the cup, and the description given by the watchman identifies Dane as the thief. Detectives at once set out for his lodging house. Meanwhile, ignoring the wound through which his lifeblood is being drained away, Dane works with desperate swiftness to prove by chemical analysis and coordination that his startling theory is fact. There is little time to lose; it is now a matter of hours only before the law will demand of Alene her life. EPISODE 12: Alenes apparently inevitable fate is a crushing horror to Daisy. Besides this, Daisy realizes that Robert Danes whole life is centered upon Alene and will be utterly blasted if she suffers the terrible penalty which the law has imposed. Unable to endure the suspense alone, Daisy goes to Danes lodging house late in the night preceding the day set for Alenes execution, and finds him staggering with weakness from the wound inflicted by the night watchman, but triumphant at having solved the mystery of Gilbert Jeromes death. A few moments after detectives arrive to arrest Dane for the theft of the silver cup. Vainly Dane tells them of his discovery, but they regard his story as the wild fancy of a disordered mind, and refuse to permit him to appeal to the Governor. Dane makes a frantic effort to escape, but is overpowered. While the officers struggle with Dane, Daisy turns off the light, and flees down the fire escape, taking the silver cup and flask of water from the mineral spring. She is pursued, but eludes the detective by clambering aboard a passing freight train. Daisy enlists the sympathy of a brakeman, and is permitted to make the trip to the State capital on the top of a box car. Arriving in the capital at dawn, Daisy locates the residence of the Governor, but realizing that ordinary means would not gain her an interview at this hour, she breaks into the house, purposely making noise enough to arouse the inmates. The Governor listens to her story with incredulity, directs that she be turned over to the police, and Daisy realizes there is but one course remaining. In half an hour Alene will be executed, and Daisy believes that Dane will not live afterward. She carefully explains Danes contention that the poison which killed Gilbert Jerome is contained in the metal of the cup; that this unknown poison is neutralized and even made a beneficial tonic when acted upon by the minerals contained in the water of the spring beside which the cup hung, but is deadly when these neutralizing minerals are not present. She fills the cup from the flask of mineral water and drinks, without harm, but a cupful of water from the Governors own carafe proves Danes theory true, and Daisy has given her life that those she loved might live. As Alene is led from the cell to the scaffold, word comes that the Governor has granted a reprieve. EPISODE 13: Seriously wounded, Robert Dane lays in the hospital, a screen separating his cot from the next. On this cot lies Professor Gershom, who disappeared on the day Alene left the House of Secrets, and who was supposed to have been murdered; even Caleb Jerome, the man who struck him down, having been so convinced of his victims death that his conscience had brought about his own end. Gershom had been rescued from the river, into which his supposedly lifeless body was thrown by Caleb Jerome, and for long weeks has lain in a comatose state in the hospital. His consciousness now returning, he becomes aware that on the other side of the screen someone is speaking. It is a nurse reading aloud to Dane the newspaper announcement that Alene has been pardoned and is to be released. From the article, Gershom gets an idea of the events that have transpired since his disappearance, and finding strength in his iron will, rises and demands his discharge from the hospital. While waiting in the office, Gershom learns the date, and also discovers the famous silver cup, which has been sent to a specialist in poisons, for experimental purposes. Possessing himself of the cup, Gershom escapes undetected, and reaches the jail just as Alene is made free. The girl finds no happiness in her escape from death. She is unaware of the part played by Dane in her deliverance, and is brokenhearted at the thought that in her hour of peril he deserted her. She shows no surprise at the reappearance of Gershom, and allows him to conduct her to the office of a distinguished old lawyer, Madison, whose name Gershom is able to recall. Gershom tells the lawyer of the case he wishes to put into his hands; that the fortune supposed to belong to Caleb Jerome was really held in secret trust, to be given Alene, the rightful owner, should she be living on this, the day she is of age. With a penknife he cuts out the bottom of the silver cup, disclosing the fact that this bottom is double, and from the space between the bottom takes several documents and a wonderful jewel, all of which he places in the lawyers hands. As he reads, Madisons expression changes from incredulity to amazed conviction. Gravely Gershom rises, bows to the weary and indifferent girl, who seems to take no interest in the strange revelations concerning herself, and replies: This is her Royal Highness the Princess Alene, rightful heiress to her fathers crown and the throne of Urania. EPISODE 14: To Madison and Alene, Professor Gershom tells the story of Alene. The King of Urania honored me with his friendship, and I was not unknown as a scientist, eighteen years ago. He tells them of the splendor of the court of the Balkan kingdom, of the high pride and noble courage of the king, and of his great love for the baby princess Alene, his only child; of how, realizing that the throne would soon fall, and wishing to save his child from the fate that he, the king, could not, in pride, evade, the monarch had secretly transferred to America his private fortune, to be held in trust until claimed by Alene on the day she became of age. How, soon after, came the terror of the revolution, when the king, sword in hand, died at the foot of his throne, and Gershom, in fulfillment of his trust, and despite a terrible blow upon the head from the weapon of a revolutionist, escaped with the baby princess, and eventually reached America, demented, but with one idea persisting and controlling his life; to protect the child. Gershom at once discovered that the secret trustee, Caleb Jerome, planned to steal the fortune, and, if necessary, murder the child, and fled in a panic of fear, hiding in the village of Elmhurst, where he bought a lonely house and reared the child, the secret of her existence being unguessed by the villagers. The documents proving her identity he placed in the double bottom of a cup he made from a silver alloy into which he introduced a deadly poison only neutralized by the mineral water of a local spring, beside which he place the cup. At last, Caleb Jerome found Gershoms hiding place, and in an effort to discover and destroy the documents, resorted to an attempt at murder. His blow, however, eventually restored to Gershom the sanity wrecked by the revolutionists club, and, in time, Gershom saw all things clearly, so that now he placed the matter in the hands of a lawyer. Madison assures Gershom and Alene that, with the documents the recovery of the fortune is a simple matter, and takes Alene to his home, where she is kindly received by the lawyers wife. Gershom, once more a shrewd and ambitious man, familiar with the political intrigues of Europe, hurries away on business, the nature of which he does not disclose. He has conceived a bold idea, suggested by the news of the day; that the Republic of Urania has declared it will remain neutral in the great war, rejecting the overtures of the Hervo-Alesian Empire to become an ally, and that the old Royalist party is reviving and urging that Urania form an alliance with the Empire and enter the war. EPISODE 15: So soon as Robert Dane has regained sufficient strength to leave the hospital, he is brought to trial for stealing the cup from the court records, and, upon his admission, is sentenced to pay a fine of $1,000 or serve six months in the penitentiary, the court pointing out that, though the circumstances were unusual, the law cannot permit the interference by an individual with established forms. Being unable to pay the fine, Dane is transferred to a cell pending his removal to the penitentiary. Meanwhile Alene has learned of the part played by Dane in her rescue from the gallows, and the thought that she will soon be wealthy and able to save him from the consequences of his acts fills her with happiness. She soon learns, however, that she is not to be wealthy, the lawyer Madison sadly informing her that her fortune has been thrown away on wildcat securities not worth the claiming. Alene possesses nothing of value except the jewel which has been preserved with the documents in the sup, and this she gives to Madison, asking that he sell it and buy Danes freedom. Gershom has, through the local Consul, gotten in communication with the Hervo-Alesian Ambassador, and this official has communicated with his government and received instructions. Accompanied by Gershom, he seeks Alene, and reaches the Madison home at about the same time that Dane, released through Madisons efforts, arrives. The Ambassador desires a private audience, but Alene tells him to speak before her friends, of not at all. He tells her that he bears a message from the Emperor; that if Alene will agree to wed a prince of Hervo-Alesia, and to become an ally of the Empire, the Emperors armies will restore the monarchy and place Alene upon her fathers throne as Queen of Urania; that her answer must be given now, and once for all. Dane listens with breaking heart. For a time Alene is silent, looking into the face of Robert Dane, and then she asks softly, Do you love me? Again Gershom interposes with a warning cry, She is a queen. It is her destiny! And Dane says, while his soul dies, I do not love you. For long the girl looks into Danes eyes, then turns to the waiting Ambassador and gives her answer: Your Emperors aid is not needed, for I have already come into my kingdom. Their protests silenced by a gesture, all save Dane file slowly from the room. When they are alone, Alene turns shyly to the man for whose love she has sacrificed a throne. He is dazed, but into this face comes a great light as she whispers, Now, now I am only a girl, Robert Dane, and he draws her close against his heart.
- A criminal is turned into a honest man through a surgical operation.
- The story of a girl who only wants a boyfriend with a car.
- Jean and Pierre are Canadian trappers, but also in league with moonshiners in the north woods, and carry illicit whiskey concealed in their loads of furs. In Jean's cabin there is a hiding place for the jugs until the regular weekly trip to the trading post with furs, when they are transferred to a secluded hut, a step further on to the settlements. Pierre is in love with Marie Dupree, the daughter of his partner, Jean. Marie is a capricious coquette, really in love with Paul Marr, a member of the mounted police, though she torments him without mercy. She has only contempt for the trapper, Pierre. When Marie meets Hugo Sinclaire, a recruit in the police, she forgets the more quiet Paul, and imagines herself deeply in love with the newly-met officer. Her father discovers her secret meetings with Hugo, and forbids her to see him. Hugo has only been amusing himself with Marie, and openly boasts of his conquest in the guard room of the post. Paul comes to the girl's defense, and only the interference of others prevents serious trouble. When Marie fails to meet Hugo as usual he goes to her father's cabin and surprises Jean in the act of concealing the jugs of illicit whiskey. He attempts to capture Jean, and in the struggle the trapper is injured, and as he is falling to the floor he fires at Hugo. From the inner room where she has been made a prisoner by her father Marie hears the shot and tries frantically to release herself. Hugo goes to her assistance, but as he reaches the door he is shot and killed by Pierre, who has crept to the window and has taken the opportunity to rid himself of his rival. When Jean regains consciousness he finds the body of Hugo and imagines himself to be the murderer. In terror he drags the body to the road, and then returns to sink before the shrine of the Virgin in prayer. Hugo's body is found by the police, who, remembering Paul's quarrel with the dead man, accuse him and cause his arrest. Marie learns of Paul's peril and hurries to Father John, a priest, for advice. Under his urging, Jean confesses the crime, and Paul is liberated. Pierre, returning alone with a cargo of skins and whiskey, is set upon by a party of half-breed renegades and badly wounded. He is brought into the post by the police, just as Jean is being led away. Dying. Pierre confesses to Father John that it was he who killed Hugo and that Jean is innocent. That evening Jean kneels before the shrine with the priest, promising to give up his connection with the moonshiners. In the moonlit woods. Paul takes Marie in his arms.
- While Si Barbour and Seth Jones are at work on the farm Si, who has been chopping wood, suddenly becomes thirsty and goes to the pump to have a drink. On his way back he passes the mail box and thinks that he will look in to see if there is any mail for himself or the family. He finds a large booklet which he looks over and is quite surprised at the things he finds pictured in the book. He at once goes over to where Seth is at work, and tells him of the wonders that are hidden in the book, and shows him the pictures. These pictures, which are views of Lively Town, so enthuse the two that they decide on a visit to the place. They leave the farm in charge of the hired man, and get on their best clothes and start. We next see them arriving at the station where things are in such a bustle, and confusion, that they are quite bewildered. They stroll around the town taking in the sights and amusements, until they are standing looking at a rough and tumble scrap. A policeman appears on the scene at which time the participants run away and the officer seizes the two rubes and gives them a severe shaking. This wakes them up for a minute and they move with the alacrity of the people of Lively Town. But the exertion is so great and different from what they have been accustomed to that they are quite dizzy. They decide that they have had enough for one day and return home.
- Mrs. Youngwife has become stage struck. She purchases a book, "How to Become a Great Actress," and soon imagines she is ready for her debut. The husband tries in vain to bring her to her senses and follows her in disguise. He breaks up her first performance, thrashes a too ardent admirer and tells her he will get a divorce. She prefers to sacrifice her "art" to her darling hubby and peace reigns forever.
- Mr. Grouch, an invalid, is advised by his physician to seek recreation at the seashore. Being a bachelor, he advertises for a young man to act as traveling companion and valet. It is answered by a person named "Bill," who is engaged. Everything goes well until their arrival at the shore. Bill is unable to manage the luggage, and in his endeavors to carry it all he spills it. That afternoon, Mr. Grouch, desiring a little air, engages a rolling-chair and has Bill take him for a ride along the boardwalk. Bill espies a gay widow, and unconsciously lets the chair go to the bottom of the walk with a crash. He is severely reprimanded by Mr. Grouch for his carelessness. After the chair is righted they wend their way along the boardwalk, much to the amusement of the pedestrians. After strolling about the boardwalk, they stop for a rest. But their rest is short lived, as the gay widow again appears and starts to flirt with Bill. Bill is soon in deep conversation with her. Bill's admiration soon turns cold when he sees a young girl sitting above them making eyes at him. Bill leaves in a very rude manner and is soon talking to the young girl. But this does not last long, as her sweetheart makes his appearance, which causes Bill to beat a hasty retreat back to Mr. Grouch's side, who tells Bill that he desires something to drink. Bill is not long in getting it, and after pouring Mr. Grouch a drink, Bill accidentally squirts seltzer over the side of the boardwalk, much to the discomfort of the couple sitting below. The young man, seeking revenge, climbs up and drags Billie down by the leg. Bill treats the young man rudely, which causes him to go in search of a policeman, and Bill "beats it." In the meantime, Mr. Grouch has got on friendly terms with the widow, and they are seen by Bill strolling along the beach. Bill approaches Mr. Grouch but is received in a manner which causes him to bump into several more of his late acquaintances, who proceed to beat him up. Left to himself, Bill finally falls to the sand too exhausted to move.
- Two members of the Never-Drop Aero Club claim that they can reach the moon by the aeroplane. They get an astronomer to get his telescope out and see how the conditions are on the moon. He comes on with a big telescope and looks through it, finds everything in fine condition from earth to moon, so the party start out. As they rise and turn upside down then right side up, they start on their journey to the moon. They pass over a busy city, knocking down buildings and chimneys. After passing over the city they come in contact with the planet Saturn. Bump it, encircle it, and then on their way to the moon they ride through the air and see an old man coming out of the planet Mars. The anchor on the aeroplane accidentally catches the old man by the neck and carries him off. The old man tries to get away, and he sees Halley's comet coming along and he grabs hold of the tail of the comet and goes away. One of the men in the aeroplane sees him and takes out a lasso. With a couple of swings he catches the old man around the neck and drags him behind. At last the moon is reached. The man in the moon opens his mouth and they all go in. The party drop from top of the moon all in a heap. They get up, look around and a large bird comes in and lays an egg larger than itself and flies off. The travelers put the egg on a fire, which is burning nearby. The egg cracks and a lot of little birds are hatched. Suddenly a strange animal comes on the scene and eats the little birds one by one. The animal fills up and bursts. Another enormous crazy-looking animal comes out of the cave and chases the men off the moon into the sea.
- During a rehearsal of his new play, Peter Richards recognizes in Mary Walters a well-known leading lady of 20 years before. She has met with reverses and is now employed as wardrobe woman in the company which is producing his play. On opening night, the play is a failure, and the manager who financed it decides to take it off immediately. Mary Walters is the only one in the theater who has feeling enough to show sympathy for the author in his misfortune. An extra girl's chance remark gives Peter an idea for another play, which he writes and calls "Granny," and he has enough confidence in Mary Walters' ability to offer her the leading part, which she gratefully accepts. Confident of its success, Peter's ambition is to produce "Granny" at the same theater where his former play met with such complete failure, but the manager refuses to produce it and Peter is forced to sell his home in order to secure enough money to put on the play. During his days of trouble Peter sees Mary's worth and as he walks with her to the theater on the opening night, they pass a quaint little church and Peter asks her to share the future with him, no matter what the night may bring them. Mary consents and they enter the rectory and are quietly married, after which they go to the theater for the opening performance. Peter's judgment is vindicated and the play is a hit.
- The story of a man's gratitude to a snake for saving his life: He takes the snake home to live with him and then conceives the idea of having the snake kill the man who stole his sweetheart. He places it in the other man's bed. But when the little daughter of the girl he had once loved creeps into the bed, he has a change of heart.
- A lovely rose blooming in the garden sees a couple of lovers and hears the youth swear that he will love the maiden through life and that their souls shall love in Heaven. A vision appears and the rose pleads that she may have a soul, that she also may live hereafter. The vision sends a soul into the rose, presents her with a basket of flowers, and instructs her to sell them on the streets and the basket will be filled every morning. The rose becomes a human being. She takes humble lodgings in London, dresses poorly but nearly, and goes out to sell the contents of the baskets, then goes home to rent. In the morning she again goes out, making her stand usually on one corner. She soon becomes known and customers come regularly. Jack Bellingham buys a flower every morning and being attracted by her beauty pauses for a few minutes chat. Rose is entranced and one day Jack proposes that she shall meet him for an evening's enjoyment. She has saved a little money and with it she buys a simple white frock and hat. She meets Jack as per appointment and he takes her to an Italian restaurant for dinner after which they go to a theater. On the way home in a cab, Jack encircles her with his arm and she lays her head upon his shoulder. On parting at the door the man takes her in his arms and kisses her passionately. For a few weeks Jack is regular in his visits and attentions, then one Saturday morning he tells Rose that he cannot see her that afternoon as he has to entertain some friends of his mother. The girl is sad and goes to the park, where she sees her lover with two ladies in a carriage. The one is elderly, the other young and beautiful. The girl turns away. The next morning she is not at her post and Jack looks for her in vain. In the evening he goes to the lodging house and the landlady invites him into the parlor and sends the girl to him. She asks who were the ladies. Jack tells her that they were the wife and daughter of his employer and that his mother wants him to marry the girl. Rose asks him if he intends to carry out his mother's wishes. He will not commit himself and when they part Rose refuses to kiss him. She faints and is taken to her room, where she lies ill for weeks. When she becomes convalescent Jack is permitted to visit her in her room. He tells her he cannot live without her and begs her to become his wife. A week or two later there is a modest wedding.
- Bob and Lena want to get married, but first they have to get around the objections of Lena's father.
- Robert Bums is tired of having his stenographers quit their jobs to get married. He hits upon an idea, to advertise for a stenographer that is so ugly there is no chance for her to get married. Pretty girls apply for the position, but are decidedly turned down on account of their good looks. Mae Hotely decides to make herself ugly and applies for the position. The boss engages her. One Sunday afternoon, while he is out walking in the park, he meets her in her own proper person, and falls violently in love, not knowing that she is his own stenographer. He tries to scrape up an acquaintance with her, but she appeals to a policeman for protection. He is utterly miserable until one day in the office, when Mae's smoked glasses fall off. He sees through the rest of her make-up; she is the girl of his dreams. Everything ends happily, as she promises to be his stenographer for life.
- Following a prologue which shows that animals frequently desert their young, a jilted prehistoric suitor murders the child of the woman he loves. During the age of the Roman Empire, a soldier has a brief affair with a shepherdess, and long after he has left, she has their child. The shepherdess looks for the father, but returns brokenhearted after finding him with another woman, and then dies while saving her child from a poisonous snake. During the Elizabethan era, a wayward son seeks spiritual redemption through war, and is killed in battle. In modern times, a young, impoverished husband refuses to start a family, despite the pleadings of his wife. Then, when he finally starts earning enough money to consider children, his wife has an accident that makes it impossible for her to become pregnant.
- Laddie, the little son of a widower, worships his father. The father is in love with a good and beautiful woman and asks her to be his wife. He tells Laddie that he is to have a new mother and is surprised when the boy is grief-stricken. After the marriage, the new mother tries to win Laddie's love, but her efforts are a failure. A baby sister comes to Laddie's home after a while and out of love and pride for it, Laddie unbends a little towards the mother who owns it. But the little sister dies, and the mother, ill and delirious, stretches out her arms and calls unceasingly for her baby. Laddie sees and hears her and his heart is so touched that he determines to get another one for her. He starts out to find one and in the park, seeing the mother of many children, is surprised when she refuses to spare one, even when he offers his watch in payment. But Laddie finds a baby in a carriage outside of a house and wheels it off. He takes it to his mother and when her empty arms are filled, she quiets down and peace comes to her. Laddie leads his father to the house where he got the baby and the distracted parents are assured that they will get their baby back. They see that their baby is safe and leave it where it is. Laddie's mother later gives up the baby and once more has empty arms, until Laddie creeps into them and is cuddled to her heart where he finds happiness.
- Ivan Mussak, the head of the Russian secret police, is responsible for the murders of thousands of Jews and the forced exile of thousands more. Isaac Gruenstein and his infant daughter Miriam are the only members of his family to survive one of Mussak's massacres, and Isaac is exiled to Siberia. Miriam, however, becomes Mussak's ward and is raised by nuns in a convent. Eighteen years later Isaac dies in Siberia, but before he does he writes a note to his daughter and gives it to fellow prisoner Rachel Shapiro, who manages to escape and, by chance, finds Miriam. However, circumstances have changed in the past 18 years--and Miriam is now Mussak's mistress.
- Sisters Assina and Malmama love Giafar; he loves Malmama. Assina tries to win Giafar from her sister; failing, she resorts to incantations. She lights a fire, casts poisonous herbs and leaves into the camp pot and prepares the potion. It fails utterly and Malmama and Giafar are happy in their love. Assina is furious and resolves to get rid of her sister/rival by having her abducted and sold at the slave market. She negotiates with a slave dealer, promising to deliver into his hands a woman so beautiful that she commands a big price and that Assina will add 50 pieces of gold. By arrangement with Assina, Masrond's men seize Malmama and carry her off. Assina pretends great agony and concern, but she continues to try to fascinate Giafar, but he's inconsolable. Malmama is sold at the market to the Caliph's eunuchs, who rejoice that they have secured so beautiful a slave for their royal master's harem. Giafar sees her dragged away but is powerless. He follows the eunuchs to the palace and bribes the chief eunuch to give him a position as gardener in the palace grounds. Malmama is dragged into the harem where Saad ibn Maad, the Caliph, endeavors to kiss her. She struggles and screams. Giafar hears her cries, leaps into the room, and drags her from the Caliph's arms. Malmama pleads that they may tell their story of the abduction and their love. Saad grants permission and after hearing the narrative, comforts the lovers and orders them to be set free.
- Three Fingered Jack Doyle, a product of the slums, is by environment, a thief. A companion proposes an enterprise of burglary and Jack consents. But a few moments before he threw away a schooner of beer at the urging of a Salvation Army lassie. The robbery is successful. The following day the Salvation Army girl while on a collection trip visits the office and is accused of the crime through circumstances. He recognizes the imprint of Jack's hand on a blotter. When she is permitted to go she hurries to Jack. She accuses him and he confesses at the same time returning all the money. He has learned to love the woman. She leads him to a church before they go to the home of the victim to make restitution. At her plea the charge of robbery is not pressed and Jack is given a chance to make a man of himself with the aid of the girl.
- Bill is a rich miner but wants a wife. He advertises in an Eastern paper and receives a response from Nellie and Eleanor, but doesn't know it was sent as a joke. When he travels East to meet them, they have the cook pose as the writer of the response.
- Businessman Philip Nuneham pays more attention to his business of building power plants than he does to his wife Christabel. Feeling neglected and unloved, Christabel is receptive to the attentions of Rex Allan, a young army officer. When his regiment is suddenly called to duty in India, he convinces Christabel to secretly accompany him to Southampton to see him off. She spends the night with him, and on her way home the next day she is involved in auto accident and injured. Renowned evangelist Sylvanus Rebbings rescues her. He has the largest congregation in the country, but has incurred the enmity of the religious establishment because of his "radical" views on religion and religious hypocrisy, Christabel finds out that she really needs his help when Rex comes home from India and she attempts to end their affair, but her husband discovers her infidelity and threatens to divorce her and keep their daughter Ione.
- Billy Altman, a photoplay author, unable to sell his manuscripts and being pestered with collectors, attempts to end his life by swallowing a pint of liquid glue. As a suicide potion, the glue is a failure, but Billy discovers that it affects his breath, any object that he happens to breathe upon instantly adheres. The legs of chairs and tables become fastened to each other. The landlady and the groceryman, collector are easily stuck together. A dago and a policeman are glued. A train is stuck to a pugilist and cannot move. Then he tackles a man-eating tiger and tries to stick him to something, but unfortunately sneezes which counteracts the adhesive power of the glue. The result is disastrous to Billy.
- Dr. Halliday, an eminent eye specialist, is well-to-do and he, his wife Rose, and their little daughter May should be happy, but the spark of love is wanting. The parents are indifferent to their daughter, who gets perfunctory kisses instead of the warm embraces of affection she craves. The doctor and his wife are also cold to each other and lack endearment. Finally, with no apparent reason, they separate. Halliday leaves the home and takes apartments; the wife and daughter stay in the house. A few months pass and each are contented until sickness enters the house: little May contracts measles. A doctor is called in and attends the child, giving the necessary instructions to the mother and nurse, one important point being that no light may be permitted to enter the room, or it will affect the eyes. One day a lady friend calls on Mrs. Halliday and induces her to go to a matinee. The mother gives the nurse due instructions for the care of the sick child. Being left alone and restless, little May gets out of bed, goes to the window and opens it wide. The light hurts her eyes and she closes it and gets back into the bed. The malady having passed, May is again playing upon the street when she suddenly becomes blind. Shrieking she gropes back to her mother. Rose can only think of one man to whom she can appeal for help: her husband. She phones for Halliday, who quickly responds. He places the child under treatment and binds the eyes. The day comes to remove the bandage. Halliday is there. The light is let into May's eyes and she is effectually cured.
- Willie is made up as a cannibal for a movie. His sweetheart visits the studio, but doesn't recognize him, and flirts with Fred, Willie's rival. Still in makeup, Willie goes on a rampage. Fred runs off, leaving her in the hands of the cannibal. Willie reveals his identity and his sweetheart agrees to marry the 'cannibal.'
- Patsy Bolivar is always in hard luck, and everything he attempts invariably goes wrong. When the careless housemaid substitutes salt for sugar in the sugar bowl, Patsy is thrashed for it by an over-severe parent. When she leaves something on the floor for the master of the house to stumble over he is beaten for that. He has an evil genius, or hoodoo, known as Sykesy, who, finding it an easy matter to commit all kinds of offenses and have the blame thrown on Patsy, works his nefarious power without stint. At the opening of this number "Jack Prince," a summer boarder with the Bolivar family, entrusts a letter to Patsy for delivery, which contains an offer of marriage to Mary Clare the schoolmistress. But Patsy, fancying that he himself is in love with Mary, jealously gives the letter to Sykesy to deliver, and gathers a large bunch of flowers for the object of his secret affections. On the way to school, Sykesy reads the letter from Jack to Mary, discovers that by the change of one word he can make it the reverse of what was intended, and in this form the letter is delivered. When Patsy places the bouquet on the schoolmistress' desk, Sykesy sprinkles pepper over it. When both these faults are discovered and Patsy is sent supperless to bed, he registers a solemn vow that for the rest of his life he is going to keep busy licking every man, woman or child who says there is no such thing as bad luck. In Jane Sykes, sister of Sykesy, Patsy has his one champion in the school aside from his little sister, Kitty. She does not attract him, however, for when he is not dreaming of Mary, he favors another schoolgirl, Tillie Grace, who has already selected Sykesy as her sweetheart.
- Michael Duggan, an ordinary laborer, receives word from a firm of lawyers that an uncle in South Africa has died without any near relatives, and that he has inherited his entire estate, valued at a million. His wife and daughters immediately want to enter society, but Duggan doesn't care for style. The newspapers bear of Duggan's fortune and interview Mrs. Duggan and daughters. When it appears in the papers a real estate man immediately offers them a furnished mansion one month rent free, while they are besieged with invitations and offers of credit. They take the new house and Mrs. Duggan tries to teach Duggan manners much to his disgust. They go to a swell reception. Duggan introduces his daughters to the supposed noblemen, and the daughters invite them to dinner. The guests, fearing they may not behave just so, decide to watch Duggan and imitate him. Mrs. Duggan tells Duggan to watch the Lord and Duke and imitate them. At the dinner there is a general mix-up, at the end of which the butler brings in a note saying that the fortune will have to go to Mr. Daniel Duggan's son, who was supposed to have been drowned at sea, but who has returned. The creditors make a fuss without avail. Wife and daughter are overcome with grief. Duggan is happy to get away from it all, and back to his overalls and corned beef and cabbage.
- Consequences result when a father breaks up his son's engagement.
- Two tramps look so much alike that they can outfox the police time after time. When one of them is locked in a shack, the police manage to catch the other one and expose the trick.
- The story opens at midnight in the office of the Jewelers' Protective Association, the alarm indicator showing that a jeweler's shop has been entered. The Chief summons his men and they go to the shop. On entering they find the place looted and the safe door blown open. In searching for a clue, the chief encounters blood stains and two joints of the little finger of a human hand. The detective visits the hospitals and, leaving his men in charge of the shop, starts to run out his clue. In the emergency ward of a hospital a man enters with his right hand bound in a handkerchief. The physician, assisted by a nurse, performs the necessary operation and the man, ignoring the doctor's advice to remain, hastily leaves. A few moments later the detective arrives; he learns of the man's visit and secures his description. About daybreak the man enters a railroad station, and, by fast running, is able to swing himself on the last car of the train pulling out of the station. A moment later the detective enters, and both the pursuer and pursued see each other for the first time. The detective summons the station-master and, securing an engine, starts after the fugitive. The man, knowing that he will be followed, jumps from the train on a lonely stretch of the road. He is unhurt, and has barely time to conceal himself as the engine bearing the detective rounds the curve and disappears. The man then makes his escape. Several months later Michael Clark, the burglar, turns up in a western town. He meets Bill Jackson, the son of a ranch owner, and is invited to visit. In the meantime the hospital doctor's sister, Mary Forrest, is told that she must go west for her health, and on receipt of a letter from Jackson she starts. On her arrival at the ranch both Bill and Clark fall in love with her, but the girl instinctively distrusts the latter. One day she takes a snap shot of both men and sends the photographs to her brother. On receipt of them, the doctor recognizes the man as being his patient on the night of the robbery and communicates with the detective. They decide to go west to capture him. When they arrive at the ranch the man tries to make his escape and is killed, while Bill is made a willing captive for life by Mary.
- A mother with two young children survives the San Francisco earthquake disaster.
- Dr. Chisolm sees that Sam, his butler, is drinking his very best whiskey, so he dopes it with tartar emetic. Sam gets a big dose. So does Major Leigh, who comes to call. This is something the doctor does not know about, so when Sam tells him that he doesn't feel very well, he is told if he wants to live he must keep moving. Sam is on the run with Mandy, his best girl, after him with a whip to help him on the move. Sam and Mandy meet the major, who is also sick. Sam passes the advice to him. Mrs. Leigh and Mandy keep the two men moving. Meantime, the doctor tells the joke to Brooks Mannor, an acquaintance. Brooks meets the major and tells him of the joke, just at the time when the major has decided he would rather die than keep running. The major gets a shotgun, captures the doctor, forces him to drink the rest of the doped whiskey and starts him on the run.
- Ted worships feminine beauty. On New Year's Eve he writers to his sister, telling her that he might break his engagement to Beth; her plainness is getting on his nerves. He also writes a note to Beth, explaining that he cannot see the New Year in with her; he had accepted an invitation to a stag. The servant who delivers the notes, mixes them, and Beth receives the one intended for Ted's sister. After reading it, she sends back his ring. Meanwhile, in a toy shop in the same city, the life-sized puppets come to life for one hour to celebrate New Year's Eve, and Mignon the society puppet begs for one hour of the world. The others consent, providing that she returns at the stroke of midnight; if she fails, she will turn into an old crone. She leaves the shop and wanders into the house where Ted is dining, and her presence causes quite a disturbance. Ted immediately falls in love with her beauty, and draws her into the conservatory for a tete-a-tete. So absorbed is the puppet in the charming Ted, that she forgets the hour, and, as he is about to kiss her, she turns into an old crone in his arms. Ted, disgusted at the sight, returns to his rooms, and finds the ring awaiting him. Appreciating at last his sweetheart's value, he makes elaborate explanations over the 'phone, and she finally allows him to finish seeing the New Year in with her. As he clasps her in his arms he gives thanks that he was shown in time that he who worships Beauty alone builds his altar on sand.
- Lena's dancing causes jealousy between her boyfriend and a tango champion.
- Dr. Henry Cole, who is to attend a social function, has just left his office when Jim Jones, a laborer, calls and implores that the doctor hasten to attend to his child. The doctor's butler tells Jones that the call is impossible as he is on the way to his fiancée's house. Jim begs for the address and the butler finally gives it. The laborer forces his way into the mansion and pleads for aid. The doctor informs Emily that the appointment must be broken. Miss Ives is furious and throws her engagement ring at the doctor's feet. Cole hastens from the house and rushes to his work. He, however, left the address on the table and after he goes the young lady returns to the room, repentant, and picks up the engagement ring and spies the Jones' address. She hastily dresses and follows the doctor; when she arrives at the poor attic she watches, unobserved as the doctor treats the child. Then she presses a roll of money into Jim's hand. The child passes the danger stage and Cole returns to his home to find his sweetheart waiting for him. Emily begs to be forgiven for her petulance and the engagement is renewed.
- Tillie inherits her aunt's fortune.
- At the beginning of hostilities, Tom Winston, despite the pleadings of his sister Ellen, an ardent Confederate, goes North and acquires a commission in the Federal Army. Frank Carey has entered the Confederate service, though his sister Ethel, furiously denounces him as a traitor, and asserts her intention of herself serving the Union. Both girls become identified with the secret service department of the South and North, respectively. Tom is with Grant, Frank with Johnston, and the armies' movements bring them into the neighborhood of their homes. Tom has with him Don, a dog that had been used in the old days to carry messages between his master and Ethel. Union headquarters are established in the Winston home, affording Ellen an opportunity to acquire many valuable secrets which she communicates to Frank, and it is the belief that some officer is proving a traitor. Tom watches his sister closely, and one night observes that as she sits merrily chatting with the Union officers, she is using her fan in such a manner as to make the dots and dashes of the Morse code to Frank, who is concealed in the shrubbery, making notes of the information. Tom discovers Frank, overpowers him, and succeeds in taking from him the memoranda, but allows him to escape. Tom places the memoranda in his pocket. The Battle of Shiloh has begun and Tom is given an important dispatch, ordering up supporting brigades. He proceeds on his mission, but is pursued and badly wounded. Unable to go on, Tom gives the dispatch to Don, telling him to carry it to Ethel. Don does his part, and Ethel undertakes to deliver the order. She is hotly pursued by Confederate cavalry, and only escapes by jumping her horse from a cliff into the river, a deed which none of her pursuers will attempt. They do not fire upon her, but wave their hats and cheer as her horse swims the stream and climbs the other bank. The dispatch is delivered, and the reinforcements begin a forced march to the assistance of the Federals. Meanwhile, Tom has been picked up by a Federal party, unconscious, but not dangerously wounded. The memoranda taken from Frank is found in his pocket, and it is concluded that he is the supposed traitor. A drum-head court-martial condemns him to he shot. The battle is now raging fiercely, the victorious Confederates pressing steadily forward. The Federal position is carried. Tom is captured and sent to the Confederate rear, where he succeeds in eluding his guards. Despite the sentence hanging over him, he determines to rejoin his troops. Johnston is killed, the triumphant advance of the Confederates falters. Tom reaches the Union lines, he rallies a breaking regiment and leads a fierce charge. The tide of battle is turned; Frank is captured. The battle lulls, the Confederates sullenly withdraw from the field. Tom is immediately arrested and placed under guard. Frank learns of the fate in store for Tom, and to save him, confesses himself to be the spy, Tom is released. Frank is held as a spy, but cleverly effects his escape. Frank goes to his home to attempt to induce his sister to go South with him, as he must accompany the southern army further into the Confederacy. Tom has gone to see his sister, to endeavor to induce her to give up her dangerous work as a Confederate spy, and has been captured by a squad of Confederates while at his home. He sends a note to Ethel informing her of his situation. Ethel secures several Federal troopers and makes her brother a prisoner. Under a white flag, Ethel and her squad approach the Winston home, and Ethel proposes an exchange of prisoners. This is agreed to, as well as a temporary truce; then Tom and Ethel turn to the North, while Frank and Ellen ride away into the Confederacy.
- Andrews, a former shipping clerk, has amassed a fortune in cocaine and therefore discourages his daughter May's romance with Joe, a policeman. Andrews prefers socialite Roger Hastings, whom May marries but soon discovers is a drug addict. While May is recovering from a nervous breakdown precipitated by the knowledge of Roger's addiction, he slips cocaine into her medication. Soon she also is addicted, a fact which Roger delightedly reports to Andrews. Andrews then commits May to a sanitarium and Roger becomes a procurer for a gang of white slavers. When the gang abducts his sister Julia and takes her to Roger's brothel, he turns against them. Julia is released, and after many complications, Roger returns to Andrews' house and, during a struggle, sets the house on fire, killing them both. Finally, Joe rescues a newly cured May and the two are reunited.
- Dave Ryland, an old prospector with a grub stake leaves his wife and grandson to seek his fortune. After a month in the hills his grub runs low, during which time he has not been able to strike anything or communicate with his wife. She, in the meantime, has been dispossessed by the landlord. Two drunken cowboys see old Dave asleep and, being fall of whiskey, determine to play a joke on him by locating a claim beside him while he is asleep. They build a monument and write out a location notice. Old Dave wakes up and finds that his hand falls upon one of the richest pieces of ore he has ever seen. Robert Adair, meanwhile, has found old Dave's wife and grandson and taken them into his home. Dave rushes into town, but has not sufficient money to record his claim. Robert, who happens to be in the vicinity, assists him, taking him to his home, where the old people are re-united. Robert assists old Dave in developing his claim, which turns out to be one of the wealthiest mines the country has ever known. Ten years later we see old Dave and Bob giving a little banquet celebrating the tenth anniversary of the discovery of "the sleeper."
- Tom, son of Colonel Loring, is a handsome but dissipated youth, easily influenced to moral transgressions. Mary Lee, the pay-master's daughter, loves Tom despite his failings, and tries desperately though vainly to reform him. Senor Luis Rivera, polished and apparently wealthy (in reality a spy) becomes intimate with Tom, who, to keep up his end and pay his gambling loses to Rivera, and steals $5,000 from the Paymaster's safe. Rivera threatens to expose Tom's theft unless he steals for him the plans of forts in the southwest, proposing to give back the money, which Tom may replace in the safe, if he does so. Tom cannot resist the temptation, and secures the plans from his father's office, but before he has delivered the drawings to Rivera, Mary learns of the situation, and by pawning her jewels and using a little legacy, raises enough money to replace that stolen. She then forces Tom to defy Rivera, and replaces the plans. No one suspects Tom, but he realizes that he is breaking the hearts of his father and the girl, and swears that he will prove worthy of their love. Rivera has gone away. Tom disappears and under another name enlists in the army, leaving a note for Mary in which he tells her that she will not see him again until he has redeemed his shameful past. Shortly afterward the regiment, to which Tom has become attached, is ordered to the southwestern border on account of difficulty arising with the Republic of Mexico. In the meantime Mary has applied for and received an appointment as a Red Cross nurse and is herself sent to the border. One day after her arrival she is sent by the surgeon in charge to a point some distance away from the hospital and is greatly surprised to find the soldier assigned to drive the wagon furnished for her transportation, none other than Tom. The two young folks are overjoyed to see one another again. Tom takes his seat with Mary and the escort inside and the journey starts. Rivera with his troop learns of the trip, and starts in pursuit of the little party. A running fight follows. Mary and Tom are the only ones left alive on the wagon. Tom stops the wagon and hastily mounting Mary on one of the mules, sends her in search of aid, while he undertakes to hold back the attacking Mexicans. Upon Mary's return with a troop of cavalry they find Tom lying wounded. Tom is taken to the hospital and with Mary's careful nursing is restored to health. Later Tom is made Lieutenant and secures Mary's hand.
- Jim keeps finding his wife in compromising positions which turn out to be perfectly innocent.