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- Thornton Darcy, an idealistic poet, is at work upon an allegorical poem which he calls "Virtue." He devotes the first part of it to picturing the idyllic state of the earth prior to the advent of evil in which Virtue is the world's guiding spirit. Virtue is represented by a nude female figure, artlessly adorned with filmy drapery. In the second part he introduces the Greek myth of Pandora, who releases Evil on the world. Finishing his work for the day, Darcy falls into a light doze and upon awakening discovers that his dream girl, Virtue, has come to life in the person of a young woman clad in a simple homemade dress kneeling on the bank of the stream gathering flowers. They become acquainted and he learns that her name is Purity Worth, and that she lives near the woods in a humble secluded home. She makes an instant appeal to Darcy as he does to her and they repeat the meeting in the woods, with the result that they fall in love and are engaged, in spite of the fact that there is no immediate prospect of marriage, owing to Darcy'e reduced circumstances. Darcy is unable to sell his poems, and the publisher will not print them for less than five hundred dollars. Claude Lamarque, a painter, strolling in the woods, sees Purity bathing in a stream. He later succeeds in meeting Purity and makes her an offer to pose for him. She refuses, but accepts his card. Purity receives word from Darcy that he is ill in bed and begging her to come with him. His final effort to publish his book of poems has met with refusal. Unselfishly seeking t aid him, she goes to Lamarque, secures five hundred dollars in advance with a promise to repay him by posing for him, and earning money from other artists, and at once turns the money over to the publisher to bring out Darcy's book. She binds the publisher to secrecy. Darcy is confined to his bed with a siege of illness, and is only saved from death by the happy turn. Purity guards from him the secret of her share in it. In the meantime, she poses regularly for Lamarque. Through his interest in her he secures an engagement for her to pose in imitation of marble statuary at a fete given by a fashionable young widow, Judith Lure. No sooner is Darcy's book published than it excites instant attention and praise, and he becomes the lion of the hour. In the meantime, Luston Black, an acquaintance of Lamarque, having caught a glimpse of Purity posing for the artist, has become infatuated with her. He assumes that because of her position as a model he will have an easy conquest. But Purity, despite her innocence, sense his base motives and spurns him. Darcy, accepting an invitation to visit Lamarque, comes into the studio while Black is pressing his attentions upon Purity. He thrashes Black, who taunts the poet with the fact that his fiancée is posing in the nude. Darcy will not believe it. Purity acknowledges the truth. Darcy will not listen to Purity's explanations and casts her off. A short time later the poet sees Lamarque's finished picture of "Virtue." Darcy is quick to read the great truth that the picture is intended to convey and upon learning that Purity was the instrument through which his poems were published, hastens to her. They are happily reunited.
- Ole Johnson decides that he ought to marry. Decides to insert an ad. in the paper. He receives an answer from a Swedish girl in a town not far from his home. Ole answers the maiden's letter sending her a photograph of himself and requesting one of her's in return. Steena Iverson, the lady fair, is not the most beautiful lady in existence, and fearing to spoil her chances of marriage, decides not to send one of her photos but one of her mistress instead. Ole receives the photo and decides to pay a visit to Steena. Meanwhile the lady of the house, Mrs. Gaylife has been informed by her husband that he has been called away. Mrs. Gaylife intends not to be lonely during her husband's absence, so sends for another companion. They leave to spend a pleasant evening together. Ole has arrived to pay the promised visit to his unknown lady love. Steena allows him to enter, but Ole cannot see her face, which is covered by a veil. He begs and pleads with her to remove it, but she refuses. Confusion is heard outside announcing the return of Mrs. Gaylife and her vis-a-vis. Steena hides Ole in the closet as Mrs. Gaylife and gentleman enter. They are enjoying a quite tete-a-tete, when the bell rings outside announcing the return of Mr. Gaylife. Mrs. Gaylife tells the gentleman to go into the closet, but instead he hides behind the screen. Mr. Gaylife enters and embraces his wife and turns to place his grip and coat in the closet when she stops him, takes them from him and leaves the room with them. Husband becomes suspicious, turns and sees Ole's hat and cane, thanks he is wise, starts for closet when Mrs.Gaylife stops him. He accuses her and she having seen the friend behind the screen, goes to the door to prove him wrong. She opens the doors and Ole comes out. Husband demands an explanation. Ole tells him he came to marry Mrs. Gaylife, showing the photograph. Mrs. Gaylife tells him she has never seen him before. Steena has overheard the whole transaction and tells them he came to marry her. Ole gets one glance at Steena's face and makes a getaway. Mr. and Mrs. Gaylife embrace most lovingly and while they are paying no attention to him, Mr. Friend makes a getaway unseen by anyone.
- This serial told the story of the diamond heir loom of the Stanley family.
- John Douglas, a high-society playboy, is a cynic concerning the women of his social set, and has a pictured ideal of the girl of his dreams. Wising to avoid the upcoming social season, he hops a freighter bound for the Orient. It sinks in mid-ocean and he, as the sole survivor, is washed upon a island, where he is rescued by Nia, daughter of the tribal chief, Neto.John is puzzled as all of the tribe are white people, but he learns from the tribal chief they are descendent's of English-origin who also are on the island because of a ship wreck a few hundred years ago. John soon arouses the jealousy of Kaura, the tribal sub-chief who wants Nia as his bride, but Nia wants nothing to do with Nia, and favors John. Kaura demand that Nia become his bride, but John Rescues her and they head for the jungle, with Kaura and his henchmen in hot pursuit. The pursuit only lasts until a storm comes up and Kuara is killed by a bolt of lightning, and his followers take that as a sign the Gods aren't in favor of the pursuit. John and Nia take up residence in the Tribal Priest's jungle cave, after the Tribal Chief performs a marriage ceremony. They are quite happy and content, especially Nia who likes to play the harp John made for her. But a yacht appears on the horizon, and John struggles with a decision as to light a signal fire and be taken back to civilization.
- A series of 8 - three reel Western themed satirical comedies, with a Hollywood film-making setting.
- Orphan Mary Wade is the ward of a family of farmers who keep her busy with drudgery. When Mr. Jenkins, the head of the household, makes advances to Mary, she flees to the city with her dog Zippy and lands in court for imitating a beggar who pretends to be blind. Harry Disbrow, a young millionaire in court for drunkenness, takes Mary home to his family, who take her in as a servant. Mr. Disbrow, a trust officer, has a partner, Horton, who has been stealing from the firm and who wishes to have his daughter Maud marry Harry to minimize the consequences of his crimes. Desperate to shore up his business, Disbrow demands that Horton reveal the whereabouts of certain securities, which fall out of Horton's pocket during the course of the confrontation. The struggle between the two men is resolved when Mary crashes a vase over Horton's head. Taken to the heart of the Disbrow family, Mary wins Harry's affections as well.
- Bill McCurdy, an outlaw, brings his second wife, a refined woman, to [his] ranch. Here, they meet Pat McCurdy, a brother of Bill, who reprimands Bill for his duplicity. The shock is too much for Bill's second wife and she collapses. Meanwhile, Pat has informed Bill's first wife of her husband's wrongdoing, and together they ride to Bill's ranch, where they are told that the doctor who attended her has escorted her to the home of her friend, the U. S. Marshal. A few minutes after the arrival of the doctor and Mrs. Mary McCurdy, Pat and Bill's first wife come upon the scene. Bill is about to shoot his lawful wife when the outlaws stop him and lead him away. The doctor and Mary plight their troth and soon are married.
- Billy and Jim are old friends, and rivals in love. Billy takes Marion Carroll to the theater and to supper afterwards. She orders and orders and keeps on ordering, until Billy finds that he hasn't enough money to foot the bill. Hearing his friend Jim's voice in the adjoining booth (which, however, Marion cannot hear from her side of the table), he excuses himself for a moment and goes to ask his rival for a loan. Jim is determined to drive a bargain instead. He says he'll pay for the supper if Billy will let him eat it and take Marion home. Reluctantly Billy consents. He fakes a phone call and hurries away. Jim takes Marion home in a taxi, and then is driven to his apartments. There he discovers that he cannot pay the driver. He is arrested and borne off to police headquarters, whence he phones Billy to come around and pay his fine. But Billy is sore. Instead, he calls up Marion and gives her the message. But little does he know the girl. She turns up at the station house just before him, drags poor dumbfounded Jim out before his eyes, bundles him into the taxi and whisks him off. Back in his rooms, Billy has a phone call, and Marion, in sweetest tones, announces, "So good of you to let me know. I got him, and we're engaged."
- The fugitive was reported in the vicinity and the sheriff, after a hasty call on his sweetheart, gathered his posse and gave hot pursuit. Over the mountains they galloped madly, the fugitive running almost in a circle. In front of the cabin sat Grace Merriwell, the sheriff's sweetheart, when suddenly before her stood the hunted one. Instantly she recognized her brother and secreted him in the house. The sheriff, tracking his man unfailingly, stopped at the cabin. He entered and the excited girl made known her brother's presence in the house. The sheriff hesitated. It was love or duty and the sheriff chose love. Taking the fugitive by the hand he made him secrete himself in another room. The posse entered and all felt satisfied with the sheriff's word but Higgins. He, suspicious, went from room to room and with lightning-like rapidity the hunted man changed his hiding place. When they had all gone, the sheriff bowed his head. Taking the star from his breast he threw it on the table for he knew that his day was over. Between love and duty he had chose love.
- John and Jim are sons of Walter Hymens and their love for the bright lights and correct wearing apparel led them to plaguing their father for his simple life. "Be a sport and come to the dance," they tell him, but the middle-aged widower would only smile and bid them have a good time. However, it is destined that a handsome widow's smile is to bring the old man "back to life," but when the pretty Mrs. Valeria becomes the tenant of an adjoining house the up-to-the-minute sons do not take their Daddy into consideration as other than a "dead one." With only a slight acquaintance the two boys vie with each other for a smile or a look from the alluring widow. While the boys are spending the wee hours of the night under the halo of the bright lights and Daddy has donned his pajamas and tucked himself in bed, from the house next door the screams of a woman pierce the stillness of the quiet suburban neighborhood. Valorous Daddy, clad only in his sleeping apparel, answers the call and the boys, returning home at this moment, see their father madly dashing into the home of the widow. Astounded, they, too, rush into the house and come upon the sight of the girl they love clad only in her nightdress swooning in the arms of their night-robed parent. Investigation proves that the cat had upset a costly vase in the parlor and the widow, being alone in the house, became hysterical at the thought of burglars. The boys breathe a sigh of relief when they know that their father was only answering a call for help. In the morning the boys enter into a discussion as to which is the favored by the widow's smiles, an argument which results in their clearing the library floor and fighting for the honor to succeed the departed Mr. Valeri. In the meantime the dark horse, having dreamed all night of the blue eyes, red lips and perfect figure of the night-attired vision of loveliness, unburdens his tale of love to the fair charmer and she, noting that a button is missing from his coat, succumbs to his plea, saying, "Well, you need someone to care for you and - and - I'm awfully lonesome." Joyfully, the happy couple hasten to inform the boys of their engagement and find them still fighting. Seeking the cause, the father is told that they are settling the question as to who is favored most by the lady in the doorway. Withholding his laughter, the old man very pompously shakes the hand of his future partner and bowing profusely, introduces the blushing widow as his future wife. The boys are dumbfounded.
- At a remote army fort in the desert, Alice Corbett--a widow with a small daughter--makes money by doing laundry and cooking for the soldiers. Sgt. Barnes, a scout at the post, gradually falls in love with her. One night at a party for the commanding officer, Col. Sears, Barnes sees Dr. Deschamps, the post physician, making a pass at Mrs. Sears. The next day he spots the two riding together, and later confronts Deschamps, demanding that he resign his commission or be exposed for his attempt to seduce the colonel's wife. Deshamps has no intention of resigning, and together with half-breed Unitah, who hates Barnes for beating him in a fight, comes up with a plan to get rid of Barnes without the crime being traced back to him.
- "Damaged Goods" pictures the terrible consequences of vice and the physical ruin that follows the abuse of moral law. It is a stirring plea for a pure life before marriage, in order to make impossible the transmission of unhealthy hereditary traits to future generations.
- Robert Sands, a sociologist, believes that there is good in all men irrespective of the depths to which they have fallen. To test his theory he picks up Jim Marsh, a social outcast, and installs him in his home as a servant. Mrs. Sands, a social butterfly, is skeptical of her husband's theories, and predicts that his experiment will fail. Jim finds and restores to her a piece of lost jewelry, but in spite of this, Mrs. Sands remains skeptical and treats him with continual distrust. In the course of events, Mrs. Sands loses heavily at bridge and gets into debt. Fearing to tell her husband, and dreading exposure, she surreptitiously takes money from his safe and is seen by Jim. When she has gone Jim enters the library and is puzzling over the matter when Sands enters unexpectedly and discovers him under suspicious circumstances. As Jim leaves the room Sands picks up a slip of paper from the floor bearing the safe combination. His wife, in her haste, had dropped it. Suspecting Jim, Sands opens the safe and discovers the money gone. Sick at heart, he goes to his wife and admits that his experiment has failed. By a supreme effort, Mrs. Sands conceals her guilt and is silent. Summoning Jim, Sands sadly charges him with the theft and tells him to leave the house. To shield the woman, Jim assumes the blame, but betrays the fact to Mrs. Sands that he knows of her guilt. When he is gone Mrs. Sands hastens guiltily to settle the card debt. Conscious-stricken and miserable, she is about to ring for admittance to the home of her friend when the door suddenly opens and Jim steps out. Shocked and amazed by his unexpected appearance, Mrs. Sands gets control of herself and coldly demands to know what he is doing there. Jim's explanation is simple. He had answered an ad "Butler Wanted," but had found upon applying that the position required good references. "I had none and they didn't want me." Stricken by the pathos of his explanation and awakened to a fresh realization of the wrong she had done him, Mrs. Sands repents of her act.
- Bill Fremont is in love with Edna Curtis, the daughter of a neighboring ranchman. Edna's brother, Fred, does not like Fremont, and objects to him paying attention to his sister. As the ranchmen in the vicinity are missing cattle, it looks very much as if there were an active rustler around. Fremont (who is the rustler), sees a chance to divert the suspicion from himself upon young Curtis, and informs his employer that he has good reasons for believing Curtis is the rustler. Fremont's employer, while in town, secures the services of a cowboy by the name of Curly Hitchcock (who is a crack shot), to run down the cattle thief. Curly, while on the range, accidentally discharges his gun, receiving a flesh wound, and rushes to the nearest house of Edna Curtis, and her willingness to aid him excites his admiration. A short while after, Curly returns to the ranchman who has employed him, and taking a powerful telescope, rides out on the range. There, he meets Edna. Fremont comes upon them, and when Curly rides away, Fremont tells Edna that her bother is a rustler, and that Curly has been employed to capture him. Frightened, she hurries to her home to tell her folks and to hide her brother. A few hours after Curly left Edna and Fremont, he notices, through his powerful telescope, Fremont driving off a herd of cattle. The ranchmen are now infuriated, as they have discovered that more cattle have been stolen, and believe that the gun-man is a fake. Curly arrives at the Curtis home, just in time to get a shot at Fremont, who has led a number of ranchmen to Curtis' home to hang Fred. Everything ends happily, and Fremont gets his just deserts.
- An argument between Johann Wagner, a music teacher, and Henri Dupin, a fencing master, is the cause of blighting their warm friendship. Intending to separate their son and daughter, Karl and Elsie, who are in love, they both seek new quarters, but unknown to each other, come to the same boarding house. Thus reunited, Karl and Elsie determine to marry. The two young people follow the advice of Mrs. Flannigan. the landlady, and hasten to the city clerk's office and declare their intentions of becoming citizens of the United States. Next they proceed to the parson's and are made man and wife. Time passes very slowly for the two old fathers, but not even Mrs. Flannigan, the genial landlady, can effect a treaty of peace between them. Neither can she prevail on them to forgive their children. At last one day Mrs. Flannigan comes with the good news that an heir has been born to the young house of Wagner. Both fathers don their best clothes and go to their home prepared to forgive all. When they meet at the crib side of the infant, however, their animosity returns, only to be soothed away forever by their grandchild's gurgle. Deciding that the most fitting celebration they can indulge in will be to take out citizenship in the grand old U.S.A., Grandfather Wagner and Grandfather Dupin leave arm in arm for the clerk's office.
- Calamity Anne went to her one faithful friend, her burro, and arranged breakfast for two. Three miles away Rattlesnake Pete, by way of diversion, soundly and thoroughly beat Mrs. Rattlesnake Pete and took away his ferocious pal to the cache where the stolen money was hidden. Simultaneously, the sheriff posted up a $500 reward notice for the same pair and aroused the cupidity of "Know-it-All Jones," who, revolver in hand, went in search of that five hundred. Now it fell out that Calamity, seeing the notice, also needed cash; so when a suspicious character appeared, hiked him toward the sheriff at the point of her gun. Alas! The sheriff dismissed her with the remark that a harmless old tramp was a poor excuse. So Calamity, in disgust left. Later she fell upon the real bandit and so knocked the wind out of the husky body of Rattlesnake Pete that the desperado in panic fled down the road. His Pal also fled straight into the arms of Know-It-All Jones, who promptly helped him along toward the sheriff. Then Calamity, overhauling her victim again fell upon him with such frightful effect that the poor wretch fled straight into the sheriff's arms for protection. And then, horror of horrors, the sheriff refused the reward on the ground that the bandit had given himself up - and, to make matters worse, Calamity beheld "Know-It-All Jones" collect his change and depart. Heart-sick Calamity left and shortly after with only Calamity's luck, fell straight upon the cache wherein was hidden the dough. With this Calamity, in righteous indignation, decided to vamoose, but on the way, leading her burro, came upon the house of Rattlesnake Pete and there saw his weeping and poverty-stricken wife. Calamity's tender heart gave way. She hauled the bags of dust from her bosom and presented them to the unfortunate wife, leaving, with a light heart and a heavy laden burro, for parts unknown.
- Avenged, the outlaw took his way into the mountains. The sheriff followed. Hour after hour the hunt went on, from hill to valley, from the open to the woods. Both struggled against exhaustion, leaned frequently against some boulder to regain their breath and wits. Slipping from one rock to another, the bandit ever eluded search and ever the sheriff followed. When human strength could stand no longer, the bandit sank down, is silver-plated gun glistening in the sun. And then the miracle happened. The reflection of the sun on the silver-plated gun shone straight into the tired eyes of the sheriff. He looked up, followed the glistening light and, with fun in hand, bagged his exhausted fugitive. With gun before him the sheriff followed the bandit into town.
- Rocky bets on "everything, anything and nothing at all". On one occasion he wins a high bet including the saloon bully's gal, thanks to a cheat played by a girl competitor who wants the man for herself. When the bully finds out he believes Rocky has fooled him and goes furiously after him.
- Buck Parvin is an actor of western roles in the Titan Moving Picture Company. He seems to have something on his mind. Montague, the director, misses him when he is needed for a scene, and later "bawls him out." One day Buck appears at the studio rigged out in flashy, new, store clothes, and asks the cameraman for scraps of film showing a scene in which Buck appeared. Buck tells his friend, Ben Leslie, that he wants the film to show to a lady friend to convince her that he is a regular "movie" actor. Buck invites his lady friend to accompany him to the theater to see "The Sheriff's Pal" in which he acted. To his dismay, the film has been cut, and his only appearance is in the distance. He tries to explain, but Georgina leaves in disgust and Buck follows. The next day Buck upbraids Montague for "cutting" most of the scene in which Buck registers "when fifteen feet would have saved his life." Montague is astonished, amid great hilarity on the part of the onlookers. Buck is posted on the call-board for appearance in "When Knighthood was in Flower" as a marquis. He is jubilant and invites Georgina to come to the studio next day if she wants to see some real acting. At the appointed time, Buck dresses for the part, and is much concerned over his bow legs which are painfully prominent in his costume. Georgina appears at the studio, and is detained by the door-keeper. She pokes him with her parasol and "butts in." She enters, hot and angry, and upbraids Buck for being detained at the door. Dick La Rue, the leading man, interests Georgina at once, and she promptly loses interest in Buck. La Rue flirts with her and Buck becomes jealous. He expostulates, and she lets him know she will do as she pleases. With bovine coquetry, Georgina responds to La Rue, while Buck becomes wild with rage. A fight ensues between Buck and La Rue, at which Georgina stalks out, not deigning to remain where "people don't act gentlemanly." Buck philosophically accepts the collapse of his love affair and attends to his more important injuries.
- Christ is shown as the hidden power that influences mankind to turn from iniquity to righteousness. The carnal mind, prompted by selfish and negative desires, experiences the operation of an inner consciousness which thwarts evil passions and promotes good noble aspirations. The drunkard is turned from his life of dissipation to one of honest effort. The sloven are awakened to a realization of their utter hopelessness. Everywhere the presence of a divine power is perceptible. The evil in a drunkard's home is banished by the thought of Christ, who appears as the man of Nazareth. The tempter at the threshold of the idle rich is thwarted and the Christ Man, by his presence, drives home conviction of guilt as the woman scorns her lover to remain true to the absent husband. Innocence is not permitted to be victimized by the lust of the flesh as the quiet little voice of conscience, aroused by the proximity of the man of sorrows, averts a tragedy. The "Thirteen Club," a social organization devoting its energies to the promulgation of higher ideals, is unwittingly the guest of a stranger, who turns out to be Christ. As they gather at the banquet table to discuss their experiences they dissolve into Christ and the Apostles at the Last Supper, after a renowned painting by the celebrated Leonardo da Vinci. The picture concludes with the gathering at the Sea of Galilee, where Christ is seen walking on the water.
- Mr. Joseph Close, ranch man, with his wife and daughter, visit the town for supplies. The daughter makes a hit with the storekeeper and it is with difficulty that the ranch man induces his daughter to leave. They return home, and the ranch man finds a letter in his mail box from Wm. Schrider, Attorney-at-Law, informing him that his brother is dead, and has left the sum of three million dollars to his daughter, on condition that she produce an official certificate of her marriage one month from the date of her uncle's death. He hurries to the house with the glad information, and his wife rejoices with him. They call Estella, and are astounded when she refuses to get married. The ranch man offers his cowboys one thousand dollars each if they will help him. He suggests that they go to town and kidnap a handsome man and also abduct his daughter. Accordingly, some of the boys are detailed to abduct the daughter, others to kidnap the handsome storekeeper, and the ranch man himself goes after a justice of the peace. The daughter is secured with little difficulty, but Arthur White puts up a strenuous fight before he is tied up. Leaving their captives bound and blindfolded, the cowboys repair to the opposite side of the barn for a friendly game of cards. Arthur succeeds in freeing himself and is very much surprised to find his fellow victim is the girl that has captivated his fancy. They mount a horse and ride away. The cowboys discover that their captives have escaped and start in pursuit. The ranchman arrives at the barn with the justice, to whom he has offered a fat fee to perform the marriage ceremony. He is surprised to find everyone gone. Estelle tells Arthur of the letter her father received. Arthur suggests that they go back and get married. Returning to the barn, they replace the ropes, and blindfolding themselves, they await the return of their captors. The ranchman meets the returning cowboys, who tell him their captives got away. They return to the barn, and are surprised to find their prisoners bound and blindfolded as they were when first captured. The justice then performs the marriage ceremony and everyone is happy.
- You see the incidents that led to the Blackhawk War- the signing of the treaty of 1830, the first assault on settlers in 1831- how the news reached Springfield, where you see Abraham Lincoln, axe on shoulder, hearing the news, his volunteer company and what happened and when they reported to General Scott; how Blackhawk, after his peace messengers were shot, decided to fight. Also a glimpse of Mrs. Zachary Taylor and her two daughters, their determination to visit their father at Ft. Crawford, how Blackhawk captured Sarah Taylor and how Jefferson Davis recaptured her and fell in love with her, the famous attack on Ft. Crawford with burning fagots, battering rams, and finally the successful attack with flaming arrows. We see the suffering inside the fort and the marriage of Davis and Sarah, finally the ultimate capture of Blackhawk, after a blood-stirring battle.
- The third of eight films based on the activities behind the cameras at a movie studio. "Addie" Gribble, the wife of a successful business man, Elmer Gribble, tires of her life of leisure and longs for a career as a movie star. Against the wishes of her husband she applies for a job at the studio of the Titan Motion Picture Company. However, her husband and the studio's film director, James Montague, have a conspiracy planned to cure of her dreams of being in the movies.
- Ralph Higgins and his wife had been married but a short time when the young husband, ambitious to better himself, moved with his bride to a deserted grant of land in the lonely hills. There was no human person near them, save an aged hermit of whom they quickly made a friend by giving him a much needed blanket. But crops failed and the love begun so blithely faded in the everlasting glare of hopeless sunshine, and, at the hopeless word of the hermit that no crops could prosper in that alkali deadened soil, the husband left to find a new home alone. He promised to send for her. A home he found and a land of promise. Crops grew and his stock multiplied, but he ever postponed sending for that lonesome wife back in the hills. Loneliness enveloped her and neglect ate deeply into her soul. One day a stranger came. He was nice to her and she begged him to remain. Temptation whispered and she came near answering. And then warned by the hermit, came the husband, proud and happy in his victory and joyous in thought of her innocent surprise when she could hear of it. He came--just at the right time to save her and his own happiness.
- Playwright James Devon takes a villa on the Mediterranean, where he can work in quiet and without interruption. His daughter May is terribly bored. She goes to the hotel where her friend Edna Lee, another American girl, is staying, and they discover Billy Green, a student of archaeology--who is so engrossed in his subjects that he is blind to the girls' attentions. This piques May, and she makes a vow that she will win his love. Armed with a statuette, she wanders with Edna to a seat in the hotel grounds near where Green is sitting. Then she tells her friend enthusiastically about this treasure which she has unearthed in her garden. Green becomes interested at once and asks to call the next day to investigate. The girls go to a curio shop and stock up with "antiquities." With the help of Snow Ball, the Black gardener, the girls bury these near the villa, and the next day Green digs them up. He is so excited over the possibility that they are living over a buried city that he cannot be prevailed upon to stay for luncheon, to the great disappointment of the girls. So they plant more bait. That night Mr. Devon takes a fancy to do some excavating on his own account. At breakfast he displays his finds, and the girls discover themselves undone. Then they invent a new scheme for entrapping the archaeological Billy. Edna sends him word that they have discovered a beautiful statue, and offers to lead him to it. He is overcome with admiration for the classic maiden, and when it comes to life, like Pygmalion's Galatea, he falls in love with the fair reality, who is May. Mr. Devon, when he hears how his very acceptable son-in-law has been won, pays the sizable bill, which the dealer in antiquities sends in without a murmur.
- When a young bride, newly entered into society, discovers she is pregnant, she consults an old friend on the most effective means of abortion. The friend gives her a potent drug, and that night the woman locks herself in her room, presses the potion bottle to her lips, falls across her bed and begins to dream. In her dream, her husband finds out about her abortion and demands a divorce. Years pass and the woman, now decrepit and alone, is visited by the ghost of her "Child-That-Might-Have-Been." The ghost takes her on a spiritual journey where she sees her husband, who is remarried and happy with his own family, hundreds of smiling babies wrapped in flowers in Babyland, and finally her own death and damnation. At her demise, she wakes from her nightmare, joyful to find the drug untouched, and rushes to tell her husband about her impending motherhood.
- Jim Morton is a successful but lonesome rancher. One day, crossing the desert, he rescues an old Indian from the attack of a rattlesnake. The Indian rewards his generosity by remaining to assist in the work about the ranch. Later Jim solves his problem by securing a partner, Wilbur Merrill, who arrives with his daughter, Martha. Martha is exceedingly industrious about the home and provides a continual round of gaiety which soon affects the rancher to a point that far exceeds friendship. His constant attempts to speak to her find him tongue-tied and embarrassed. Martha, with a woman's quick intuition, understanding his plight and lightheartedly, unthinkingly teases him in many ways. Burton, an actor, who has established a hunting lodge nearby, spies Martha at a broncho busting contest. He makes ungentlemanly advances which she coolly repulses. Later he follows her to the Morton-Merrill ranch and finds her digging earth for some plants. Being adroit, he succeeds in gaining her confidence and helps her with her work. Jim is surprised to discover them as Burton is leaving, but a thoroughly natural explanation by Martha causes the matter to pass from his mind. On this day her father is killed while traveling through the woods by a bolt of lightning. In a day or two the sadness has been overcome, to a certain extent, and Jim makes up his mind that now or never is the time to declare himself to Martha. He loses courage and leaves a note on the table, asking her answer. She has gone to Burton's lodge, innocently because Burton has held up to her the lure of a position as an operatic singer. When she is about to leave, he makes improper advances, which are smartly punished by Martha's stinging whip. She starts for home. Burton fears that Martha will tell Jim and he enters the Morton house hoping to forestall her. He finds Jim's note, asking Martha to marry him, and writes the word "No" at the bottom of the sheet. Jim finds the note and is greatly disheartened. Burton disguises himself as a professor of music and by promises of employment at a fabulous salary, succeeds in getting Martha to leave for New York. Martha's efforts to secure work in New York are hopeless. Then Burton, who has been watching her, meets her as it by accident and offers his help. Later, disguised as a professor of music, he lures her to his apartment. Removing his disguise as she is playing he asserts that he is going to revenge the sharp stinging blows given by her whip across his face some time before. Jim has been superintending the dynamiting of stumps on his land and, being careless has been seriously injured. A visiting doctor, spending his vacation at Jim's home, brings him east for special treatment and it so happens that the doctor's quarters are located in the same building where Burton has his apartment, in fact the apartment is directly across the hall. It is after the doctor has gone out, leaving Jim sitting with bandaged eyes, that the ranchman hears the struggle in Burton's apartment He rescues Martha and administers a sound thrashing to Burton. The arrival of the doctor finds that a complete understanding has been reached between Martha and Jim. Burton is left to brood over his sorry failure. Jim and Martha prepare for a new life of happiness on Jim's big ranch.
- James Hardeman, United States Marshal, is advised by the chief of the secret service bureau at San Francisco that the counterfeiters for whom they have been long searching, seem to have their headquarters somewhere in the vicinity of the little cattle town of Red Gulch, and Hardeman is ordered to proceed there and investigate. Selling bouquets of wildflowers at twenty-five cents a bunch, Bess, an orphan, has become known only as "Two Bits." A passenger on the Limited that goes through Red Gulch dally purchases a bouquet from her, but finds that he has only a twenty dollar bill to offer her. Two Bits can't change it, but Jed Simpson, the sheriff, comes to her aid and breaks the bill for her. Hardeman arrives, and is also induced to purchase a bouquet. In his room Hardeman finds a counterfeit dollar bill in his pocketbook, and realizes that the only place he could have obtained it was from the flower girl. He learns that Two Bits lives in a little cabin in Mission Canyon, and subsequently succeeds in forming an acquaintanceship with her. Jed Simpson, who has long been a suitor for Two Bits, proposes, but is rejected. Hardeman chances to come upon an old shack in a valley, and finds that it contains counterfeiting apparatus. He digs his way into the shack, and in one corner of the room places a camera, concealing it well, and arranging a rubber tubing and bulb under a loose plank on the floor, so that by stepping on this plank the bulb will be squashed, and flashlight exposure registered. Al Morely, the deputy sheriff, notices Jed's state of mind, and tells him that if it is Two Bits that's worrying him, that he knows a way by which he can probably land her. Years ago he allowed her father to build his cabin on his land, and he now proposes that he tell Two Bits that she must either pay up at once or get out. She would then be very glad to have a home offered her. She is later informed of this decision. One night the counterfeiters come to the shack. Suddenly the flashlight brightens up the room, one of the men having stepped on the loose plank. They realize that something is wrong, but are unable to discover just what it is. Hardeman comes to Two Bits and questions her concerning a counterfeit bill which he received from her at the depot. She tells him that she got it from Jed. Two Bits concludes that Hardeman has been coming to see her in order to discover whether or not she was with this gang, and, deeply hurt, denounces him and leaves. Returning to her cabin, Two Bits sees the daily auto stage passing, and it suggests a plan to her. Hardeman finds that the counterfeiters have fallen into his trap, and hurrying back to town, has the film developed and printed. Now feeling that he has conclusive evidence against his men, he starts out for the shack to waylay them there. But as he comes around a curve on the road, he sees in the distance the auto stage being held up by a masked bandit. He uses his field glasses, and when he sees a braid of hair slip from under the bandit's hat, he realizes that it must be Two Bits. He hurries to the scene, swings the bandit to his saddle, and rides into the underbrush. He pulls the mask from the bandit's face, and finds that his deductions are correct. She tells him that she stands to lose her garden, her home and all and that she had determined to get money to purchase the place at any cost. Seeing the passengers from the auto stage approaching, Hardeman leads Two Bits back to her cabin, and tells her to change to her own clothes at once. While he is waiting outside, he sees Jed and his deputy approaching. Two Bits now being in her own clothes, he enters, and thinking that the sheriff and deputy want her for the hold up, secludes himself in a loft above the room, intending to save Two Bits at any risk. Jed enters, and informs Two Bits that Morley is outside and that he is going to order her out at once. But Jed states that if she will agree to marry him, he will purchase the plot of land for her. Two Bits refuses, and Jed is about to seize her when he chances to look up and sees Hardeman covering him with a gun. The deputy now enters, and is also covered by Hardeman. The searching party from the auto come to the cabin and find Hardeman holding up the sheriff and his deputy. They demand an explanation, but Hardeman succeeds in satisfying them when he displays a flashlight photograph of the counterfeiters in their den, and the counterfeiters are Jed, the sheriff, and Morely, his deputy. With his two prisoners Hardeman starts back to San Francisco, promising Two Bits that he will soon return and claim still another "prisoner."
- In the little railroad town known as Wynola, Cal., was the modest home of Mrs. Blake, a widow, and with her lived her only son, Thomas, so named after his father. Young Thomas had become an an engineer and the pride of his heart was old No. 19. One afternoon he receives a hurry call to make a special run. He takes a hurried leave from his mother and his boyhood sweetheart. When near the round-house, he finds he has time for just a little drink, so turns into the saloon. Temptation gets the best of Tom and he has more liquor than is good for him, but not only that - he is late as well. The yard superintendent is patiently waiting. Time flies and still Tom is not there. When he finally appears he is reprimanded for his tardiness, and when his inebriated condition is apparent, he is ordered not to make the run. Tom grows abusive and is taken home. His discharge from service is only a matter of course. Tom leaves home and appetite for liquor grows apace with the discouragements he encounters in a cruel world. His downward course goes unchecked from bad to worse, when an old woman, bittering and in rags, brings to him visions of his own aged mother, patiently waiting for the return of her wayward son. His latent manhood receives a jolt and he resolves to return to home and friends. Without money he is obliged to "beat"his way and we see him sneak between the baggage car and No. 19. On the same train is seen another character, whose object is apparent when, shortly after the train starts, he is seen to creep up and level a gun at the engineer and fireman. The train has aboard a large shipment of gold bullion - there is also attached the private car of the president of the road. The train has already slacked its speed, when Tom creeps up over into the engine, a sharp, quick struggle follows, the bandit is subdued and it is Tom's hand that again opens the throttle of the engine. She leaps forward at her old speed and the confederate bandits are left disappointed at the side of the track where it had been planned to hold up the train. The momentary anxiety of the president at the slackening of the train's speed is allayed when the train reaches her destination, the lone bandit is turned over to the minions of the law, and Tom is to be rewarded by a gift of money, which he refuses, stating that he wants only one more chance to run an engine. The mother's unfaltering faith is her boy is rewarded by the press reports of his bravery. Tom is given work again and when six months later he is married to his sweetheart, one of the most cherished gifts is the reinstatement as the pilot of old No. 19, and a check for $1,000 payable to order of Mrs. Thomas Blake.
- Old Man Hathaway was a trapper and lived with his only daughter in the mountains. Pretty Claudine often went forth to visit the traps with him and one day, when no bound, they saw a youth kiss a maiden affectionately. Seeing a chance for an object lesson, the old trapper sagely shook his head, saying, "My child, such kisses are poison. Guard against them." Claudine had a herd of goats which she tends carefully, and one say, sitting one a rock with them scampering about her, she made so pretty a picture that Ralph Walters, a young artist from the city, asked her to pose for him. They arranged an engagement for the following day. He posed her prettily and then, overcome by her beauty, impulsively kissed her upturned, inquiring lips. Claudine fled in shame. From a distance she watched him, debating her father's advice. Then, plucking a handful of poisoned berries, she went again to him. He ate them gladly. In a few moments he fell, deathly sick, across the rock and Claudine ran, badly scared to her father. Together they rescued the sick artist, and took him home. He recovered, and one day, while away with her father, she told him her reason for giving him the poisoned berries. Furious at the insult offered his daughter, the aged trapper hurried back, gave Ralph a gun, and offered him a chance for his life. Overcome by feeling, Claudine stepped in between them and spared Ralph from the deadly hatred of the old man. A few minutes later Ralph was picking his way through the boulders, pondering upon the quaintness of backwoods ways and the ease with which an innocent expression of admiration was transformed into an excuse to kill.
- Jack Hilliard hears a woman's voice singing an Italian aria and leans far out of the window, but he cannot make her out in the fog. The following day he tries to reach her through an advertisement. Finally they exchange notes, and he is invited to dine with her. He must go and come blindfolded. This he does, only to discover that she is masked. The following day she sails for Italy with the American Opera company, and from Naples mails Hilliard the mask. His old Italian servant Giovanni, whose daughter, betrayed by a prince, has died, wishes to return to Italy for revenge. Hilliard decides to accompany him. On the canal he meets the opera singer and she shows him her face only to beg him to cease his attentions. He discovers her next day trying to better the fortunes of her stranded opera company at Monte Carlo, and there he saves her from the forced advances of the Prince Monte Bianca. Later he goes to her villa and is pleasantly received by her. They are disturbed by the Prince whom Hilliard disarms only to learn he is the husband of the woman he loves. As the Prince rides from the gates he is set upon by Giovanni and killed. Thus the signorina, who never lived with her husband, and Hilliard, are free to love and marry.
- Bob Ransom is the son of wealthy New York parents. He is in love with Helen Braddon, but at the opening of the story a lovers' quarrel has temporarily marred the celestial horizon. At this time, Ransom, Sr., makes an extensive investment in Hawaiian plantations. At the urgent insistence of Bob, Ransom, Sr., sends him to the Hawaiian Islands to take charge of his interests there. Bob arrives. One day, while strolling along the beach, he chances to catch sight of a native girl. Later he chances into his hut, to find the native girl much interested in his typewriter, etc. The native girl is daughter of the island potentate, but does not reveal her identity to Bob. In the days that follow he teaches her American customs, and their admiration of each other soon grows to love. Meanwhile Bob receives letters from his people, telling him to return home, and that Helen will be glad to see him. Bob, however, believes himself in love with the native girl and replies that he is contented to remain where he is. Trouble arises between the scattered island planters and the potentates. Bob writes his father about the trouble and asks him to come to Hawaii. The native girl is loved by a native high in the councils of the King, however, and that person makes it his business to discover the romance. He informs the King, who promptly becomes furious at his daughter. Meanwhile, Ransom, Sr., with his wife and Helen, arrive. Bob is awakened from his dream and finds that his real love is for Helen. The native girl discovers it also, but too late. With the consent of the King and the disappointed lover a ruse is planned to poison Bob by inviting the American to drink with the King. The wine is poisoned, and as Bob is about to drink she seizes the poisoned wine, drains the bowl and before death claims the victim she heroically places the hand of Helen in Bob's.
- Tom and Mabel were sweethearts, but Tom did not seem to get on in a business way, so Mabel started him for the West. Tom blew in his little stake before leaving, and arrived out West broke and discouraged. There he fell in with two crooks and with them laid plans to hold up the pay wagon of the construction camp. Meanwhile, a hobo got off a freight and strolled to the camp in search of work. He needed only a chance to reform. He watched the men place a stick of dynamite and leave, and too late, saw Tom, crouched down in the danger zone, gun in hand, waiting for the pay wagon. There was a terrific explosion and Tom died. Hurrying to the scene, the hobo donned Tom's clothes and papers, secured work, took Tom's name and prospered. Worrying over the absence of her intended, Mabel and her father visited the construction camp. They asked for Tom and his namesake, now clean shaven, handsome and prosperous-looking, responded. There were explanations and a visit to the grave. "With him I buried my failures," said the other. In the days that followed, Mabel found she still wanted the name of Tom, and eventually married him.
- Pedro wanted Paquita and her father seconded his suit. But Paquita was in love with Paul Hapgood, an American, and would not hear of it. She wrote to Paul and told him to take her away. He came and Paquita's father renounced her as his daughter forever. Grabbing a gun he bade them leave his estate. Then when they had gone, in replacing his pistol, it dropped, wounding him fatally. With his last strength, he wrote the truth on a slip of paper and placed it in the bible. The Mexicans, headed by Pedro, caught the pair and accused them. To save her lover, Paquita made the grand sacrifice and confessed to the killing. Then Paul stepped forward, and pushing his sweetheart aside, took the blame himself. They took him out to lynch him and Paquita fell on her knees to pray. Then she found her father's note which completely vindicated the lovers and put to shame the spiteful Pedro.
- Ralph Darcy, a young man of wealth, is in love with Tom Hall's daughter Bess, who is at school in a distant city. He is about to propose to her when he learns that he has contracted tuberculosis and must live in the open for a year, but he cannot bring himself to tell Bess. She, in the meantime, is preparing for her graduation and writes her father, who is foreman of Mammoth Mines, to be present when she graduates. Jack Tice controls the gambling in the rough mine and cattle town of Mammoth. He sees Bess's picture and falls in love with her. Hall, going to town to get the payroll money, is grazed by a bullet fired in cowboy fun. Whiskey is given to revive him which awakes a long suppressed desire for drink. This leads into gambling and by the time he is ready to return to the mines, he has lost the payroll money. Tice, pretending to be Hall's good friend, does not permit him to gamble or drink in his place, but so arranges that Hall does so at some other place and pockets half of the money Hall loses. Then, to further his ends, he loans Hall the money that belongs to the mining company's payroll. Pretending he has sold his gambling hall, he and Hall go to see Bess graduate. Ralph receives word that the trust company has failed and his fortune swept away. He then writes to Bess, telling her all, and asking that she wait a year for him. Hall, however, apprehends the letter and Bess, not hearing from Ralph, believes he has forgotten her and finally consents to marry Tice. After the marriage she discovers her husband's perfidy. She leaves him after getting word from Ralph that he is on his way to claim her. Fleeing, she knows not whither, Bess becomes caught in quicksand and Ralph, now a cowboy, hearing her cries, finds her and rescues her from certain death. In the meantime, Tice has been severely thrashed by Bess's father. Cowboys destroy the source of his ill-made profits, and in his endeavor to escape, Tice is killed. Bess and Ralph are now free to complete their romance.
- Rudolph Schlitz, a cobbler, finds a lottery ticket in a shoe he is repairing and, determined to make some money from it, he sells an interest in the ticket to his friend, Adolph Busch. Then, fed up with the way temperance leader Caroline Pickett rails against the evils of alcohol, Bobbie Bennett spikes the cider at Caroline's picnic. All of the villagers in attendance get drunk, including Rudolph and Adolph, who then dream that they have arrived in Washington to claim their lottery winnings. Besides being transported to the nation's capital, however, they also have been transported through time back to the Civil War and barely escape from the fighting alive. Rudolph and Adolph then wake up from their shared nightmare, and remembering the link between gambling and Gettysburg, they swear off lotteries and other games of chance forever.
- A wandering cowboy is hired by a ranch owner. When the other cowboys show the newcomer their refusal he turns to his donkey pal and his usual loneliness. Then his boss'daughter comes home wanting to experience Western life and the pilgrim feels attracted to her.
- Burt Towne saves Dave Burton from the fury of Tex, a drunken Mexican. Dave promises Burt if he ever gets the chance he will reward him for saving his life. Burt returns to Millie and his sweetheart, whom he would wed but for her sick mother, her excitable father and the little sister, all of whom demand her care on the "Bar-K" Ranch. Millie's mother dies. Burt renews his plea that Millie marry him. The father and sister deter the girl. Millie whispers a secret to Burt, who rushes off exultant to get the marriage license. Returning, Burt is shot in the back by Tex, the revengeful Mexican. He struggles desperately to ward off death, but Tex's bullet has found its mark. He scratches a message to Dave, the man whose life he had saved, begging him (Dave) to "come and make good with Millie, for I can't." Burt's riderless horse reaches Millie's cottage. Blood is on the saddle. Millie's father rushes in search of Burt, he finds the boy dead in the road. Then Millie confides in her father and is promptly driven from home. Meanwhile Burt's message is carried to Dave, who at once rides off to learn what it means. Months later Millie falls exhausted on a roadside. Here Dave finds her and tenderly he bears her to the home of his own sweetheart's mother. Her condition is discovered and the self-righteous matron refuses to give her shelter or aid. Dave finds a more compassionate neighbor where Millie is treated with love and care as she hovers at the doorway of death. The busybody gossips of the neighborhood cannot stand the strain on their own morality so they wait upon Dave and reprove him for his friendship for "such a woman." Millie overhears and with her babe held close prepares hastily to leave. Then a sheriff rides up bearing possessions of Burt, who was slain. Dave opens the package, his eyes fall on Millie's picture. He recognizes her as the girl to whom he was to make good. He discovers, too, his deep-born love for the girl. Millie steals out but Dave overtakes her. He offers his heart and his name as her refuge. Sobbing yet happy Millie goes to his arms.
- During the raid on an emigrant train the girl and her brother, the only survivors, are attacked by the villain who kidnaps the girl and takes her to the camp of Calamity Anne, who takes a liking to the girl and becomes her guardian angel. The girl's brother is killed and a ranger takes the locket containing the girl's picture from his neck and recognizes the girl in Calamity Anne's camp. Later, Calamity Anne holds the villain and his band at bay and the girl and the ranger make their escape. The girl and the ranger come to the spot where the girl's brother is buried and here she asks the ranger if he is going to leave her there alone. His answer is to take her into his arms.
- Immediate Lee, employed on the ranch owned by one Masters, is discharged by the manager through the influence of one of his men, who is in the brand blotting game with Masters. Beulah, a dance-hall girl, has attracted the attention of Hurley, a brand blotter, but prefers Lee. Hurley entraps Lee and cuts his mouth open with a wide gash, which leaves a permanent scar. Lee vows vengeance and follows the man all over the country. He at last meets him face to face, but Hurley is saved by the intercession of Beulah. He later is killed in a fierce encounter. The brand blotters are discovered and punished by the aid of Immediate Lee, and Beulah receives the reward of loyalty and devotion by becoming Lee's wife.
- Paul Harvard, who is the son of a wealthy Northerner, is invited for an indefinite stay to the Carolina Pines. Arriving at the Pines, he meets Judge Bulstring, who commissions Dr. Sterling Duke to show the young fellow about, and find him a place to live among the mountaineers. Paul forms the acquaintance of Grace Wilson, and the two are mutually attracted. Another young Northerner arrives on the scene. He is a Federal agent who has come to investigate the fact that there has been much counterfeiting and moonshining. This newcomer is Wilbur Grant, and during the weeks of his stay he simulates drunkenness in order that he may better work himself into the confidence of those whom he suspects. Grant quickly takes up with one Richard Quigg, who professes to deal in real estate, and he actually does hold a mortgage over Magnolia Hall, the name of the Wilson home. This mortgage is fast coming due and Grace is frantic at her inability to raise funds to meet the debt. Quigg offers to cancel the mortgage if Miss Wilson will consent to become his wife. Grace refuses and orders Quigg from the house. Young Harvard takes up his residence in the mountains with the Tollivers. Caroline Tolliver becomes one of his acquaintances. Paul oversees the girl admiring a frock which an itinerant Jew has offered for sale. Paul gives the girl the money and she makes her coveted purchase. The act is overseen and becomes food for gossip. It develops that Caroline has been secretly married to Richard Quigg and that an interesting event is soon to transpire. Jack Tolliver, Caroline's brother, becomes furious when his sister's condition is learned. She will not reveal the name of the man, and as gossip has linked Caroline's name with that of young Harvard, Jack at once assumes that he is the guilty one. The scene shifts to the mountains, where the moonshiners are at work. Within the shack that houses the illicit still are Richard Quigg, Jack Tolliver and others. With the men, too, are Caroline Tolliver and her mother. Outside it is pouring rain. There comes a knock on the door. It is Paul Harvard. He is roughly handled, but manages to hold his own. In an apparently drunken condition, Wilbur Grant enters. He is pushed carelessly to one side, and at length is locked in an unused chamber. A bolt of lightning strikes nearby. A huge dam bursts and the loosened waters bear down upon the moonshiners' abode. All escape miraculously, and Harvard, casting aside personal enmity, effects the rescue of Jack Tolliver. The Tollivers learn that Paul is not responsible for Caroline's condition. Jack and his sister come, shamefaced, to the house to publicly declare the young man's innocence. Meanwhile, the mortgage has fallen due on Magnolia Hall. Richard Quigg has come to collect. Paul Harvard seeks to buy over the head of Quigg. His check is refused, for the document stipulates cash is to be paid. The hands of the clock creep toward the appointed hour as Paul gallops away over the hills to the nearest bank. He obtains the cash and arrives barely in time. All are astounded however, when Quigg overbids the young millionaire. The multitude is plunged into gloom; then Wilbur Grant takes a hand in the affair. Tipping the wink to men who secretly are his aids, he jumps in and arrests Quigg in the name of the Federal Government. The fellow is branded as a counterfeiter and moonshiner and submits to shackles on his wrists. Amid waving of hands and dances of joy, Magnolia Hall is sold to Paul Harvard, who promptly presents it to the wide-eyed young girl, Grace Wilson, who stands at his side. The two gaze in each other's eyes. Harvard's strong arms encompass the girl, and all is happy ever after.
- Steve, who works for a local bank, is strolling through the park on a Saturday and meets pretty young Mary. Wanting to impress her, he tells her that he is an officer in the bank, neglecting to mention that he is actually a security officer--a bank guard. Mary, on her part, tells him that her father is an engineer, but it turns out that he's actually an "engineer" on a steamroller. They are instantly attracted to each other, though, and romance blooms, resulting in their being engaged to be married. Both, however, are worried about what will happen when they find out that each was fibbing to the other--which happens a lot sooner than they counted on.
- Big Ben from the Bar N Ranch called often on Margaret. As the two were inseparable, it soon became known that they would soon marry. This news greatly displeased Bill Higgins, who promptly set about to make trouble. He wrote an anonymous note and attached it to Ben's saddle, saying " She don't love you. She was with Bill Higgins all day yesterday. A Friend." When Ben found it he frowned and tucked it idly into his pocket. This happened regularly thereafter. If Ben had been a trifle older he might have smiled derisively, but he didn't. Youth and jealousy are old acquaintances and so Ben made his visits shorter and shorter. One day, lonesomeness overcame him and he sent the notes in a bundle to Margy. She read them and promptly burst into tears. Then, with true Western suddenness, she hurried into the house, where she told her brother all her trouble. The later only smiled, but looked more serious when he caught Margy loading a big six-shooter. He told Bill to watch out for himself and ceased further to trouble himself. But Bill was more wise. Carefully unloading the bullets, he substituted blanks and when Margy later threatened him he only smiled. And then Ben rode up, utterly miserable and determined upon an understanding with Margy. This was easily obtained to the vast satisfaction of everyone concerned, but Bill Higgins.
- Harry Reeder was a steady visitor at the cabaret and he visited with a single thought in mind - pretty Vail, the singer. Harry discussed marriage with his father but the aristocrat said no. So Harry did what every other American young man does under the circumstances - marries the girl. They tried to keep it secret, but Harry's dear friend, Bert, who in secret loved the girl, took plans to let Reeder know of it. Thus the young couple were driven from the parental roof and took a small, cheap bungalow. After that Bob wouldn't let her work - he took the violin and secured her place at the cabaret. Bert often went there and exulted in secret. But if Bert had done nothing more serious than exult in secret, everything would have gone well, but Bert insisted in seeing Vail and times his visits so as to be found by Harry. One day Bert, refused admission by Vail, pinned a note to the door-post, intimating that she intended to elope with him that afternoon. At the same time the heart of the old man Reeder relented and he started toward the little bungalow. Thus Harry coming home found the note a minute after, captured Bert and trounced him soundly. The father, witnessing the incident, found no further enmity in his heart toward the young couple and took them home with him to better things.
- The picture opens with scenes at a pottery located at Suresne, a small town near Paris, France. The potters and decorators are seen at work and a vase is made on the potter's wheel. Among the girls employed in the decorating of the porcelain is Vera Nemours, a poor girl who is doing most artistic work. She is living with an old woman, Jeanne Eaton, who has become so feeble with age and infirmities that she is no longer useful, and the master of the works, Jean Montparnasse, finally discharges her. She returns to her poor lodgings in despair. Montparnasse has conceived a violent passion for Vera, which culminates when he attempts to seize her violently. Roual Nevers, a young artist who is the chief designer for the pottery, sees the predicament in which Vera is placed and knocks down the villain. A beautiful vase which we see made on the wheel, put in the oven and baked, is brought to Vera to be decorated. A girl who really loves Montparnasse is jealous of his attentions to Vera, and as Vera goes to the window to admire the beauty of the vase, the girl trips her. She falls and the vase is shattered to pieces. Vera returns to her squalid home hopeless, finding her aged companion in despair; they agree to die, as the future holds no hope. They turn on the gas and are to die in each other's arms. Montparnasse comes to the room to obtain possession of the girl. He attempts to break in the door, but is admitted by the old lady temporarily dissuaded from her purpose, and he attacks the girl. The old woman, with a fierce return of strength, grapples with him and in the struggle which follows he falls against the low window and crashes through, falling into the street, six stories below. Roual, hearing Vera's screams, rushes to her protection and says he will care for their futures, so from the chaos of her present the future looks bright and full of promise of content.
- Prentiss, a retired literary man in ill health, has created a garden solitude for himself and his young wife down in a small lonely valley. Fate toward whom Prentiss harbors much bitterness since his health began to fail, now brings a heavier stroke in the form of young David Scott, who is in charge of the preliminary survey of a new railroad, the line of which follows the narrow valley. Just preceding the arrival of David and his crew comes Valdez, a Mexican renegade, with a band of his men. Their eyes fall upon Prentiss' fine pair of horses which are being harnessed in the yard for their master's afternoon drive. Laura's servants desert her and Valdez laughs at her own feeble strength. Prentiss staggers onto the scene and falls in a faint just as David rides into the yard. He holds up the raiders, but Prentiss must be looked after and in the excitement Valdez and his men make their escape. The subsequent appearance of more of the survey party reveal part of the circumstances to Prentiss and David tells him the rest. At once in the helpless invalid's mind hatred takes possession and an almost insane determination to thwart David's plan that means the destruction of this desert solitude. David leaves the place with his surveyors much disturbed by Prentiss' bitter opposition, but remembers the raid of the Mexicans and writes a note to Laura directing her to call for help to his camp if the outlaws return. Prentiss continues to brood morbidly over how he, with his physical weakness and his loneliness, can block the threatening invasion. Laura tries to conceal her apprehensions of the return of the outlaws from her husband, but is intercepted by him that evening when she goes out to post a messenger who is to ride to the camp on the firm alarm, and Prentiss sees the note and learns her plan. On her return to the house Laura is seized and bound by Valdez and his men, who proceed to the house and find Prentiss alone. The one idea in Prentiss' mind at present hits upon a desperate plan. He tells Valdez that a man is on his way to the camp. At first murderously angry, Valdez listens to the invalid and agrees to his proposition. Prentiss pours all his money and valuables into the outlaw's hands if the latter will ride by a roundabout route to the camp while the surveyors are on their way to the house and destroy their maps and instruments. Laura has got herself free and overhears the interview and as the outlaws return to their horses in the rear of the house she takes to the road and starts for the camp on foot. She intercepts David and his rescue party and they lay a trap for Valdez. The outlaws are defeated and the booty recovered. In the meantime Prentiss has recovered consciousness and undergoes a complete lapse of memory. He sees the signs of disorder and robbery and knows that something terrible has happened. Death hastens to claim him, but before he breathes his last, David enters with Laura. Prentiss sees his lost property recovered. But seeing David, the cause of his intense hatred and passion knows no bounds and he succumbs to meet its awful weight. David promises to remain near the house of mourning, and goes forth into the night to think of the future.
- Philip Drummond receives a summons to hasten to the bedside of his dying uncle, Baron Drummond, in England. Philip's wife is elated at his departure for she is of the inconstant typo that relishes the attentions of a multitude of men. At present she is infatuated with Claude Hope, a handsome young man whom she has completely captivated. Arrived at his uncle's bedside, Drummond is told that at the old Baron's death the entire estate and all that it embraces, shall descend to him. Also pains are taken to inform him that a psychic spirit which haunts the castle is to be given into the care of the heir. Drummond is a believer in psychic phenomena, and determines at once to test his pet theory that the spirit of one long departed can be summoned from the astral world. His theory is that if a soul in the astral world is in love with a reincarnated being, the astral soul can be summoned and will appear only before the vision of the one reincarnated. Love above the type of the worldly Drummond believes can effect such phenomena. In his dying breath the old Baron tells Philip of a direct ancestor and a cousin who were sweethearts and whose murder has been a mystery of a century's duration. A painting of the ancestor betrays the likeness to Philip. In the boudoir of the ancestor's sweetheart, Drummond materializes the spirit. The wraith appears before his vision and re-enacts before his gaze the details of the crime itself. Drummond learns from the spirit, Dorothy, that the feudal ancestor was himself in his former visit on earth. He learns, too, that the Claude Hope of today, who is in love with his, Drummond's, wife, was the Sir Berton Gregory of long ago who slew him and later caused the death of Dorothy. Recognizing the astral visitor as his true soul mate, Drummond spends all his waking hours in company with the ethereal visitor. The aged Baron dies, and Drummond succeeds to the title. Forgetting her infatuation in her greed for the title, Drummond's wife hastens to England. She bursts into the boudoir where Drummond holds communion with the ethereal Dorothy. Sue finds her husband dead. Had Drummond established his theory or is the whole affair a chimera of the mind? That is the question.
- Characters played by Ed Coxen and Winifred Greenwood play as members of a stranded theatrical troupe that are forced to tramp through the woods at night. They come across a badly wanted bandit and bring him to justice, winning a substantial reward.
- Phil Burton, a Harvard man of common parentage, returns to his western home the same loving and unassuming boy, for all his eastern experience, to gladden the hearts of his old-fashioned mother and Dad. Effie Marsh, Phil's childhood playmate, calls to tell them she is going to New York so that she may follow an art career. To better fit himself for the profession of mining engineer, Phil goes prospecting in the hills, where he finds a miner dying from smallpox, and regardless of personal danger, he cares for him. The miner assigns his claim to him, although Phil tries to find out if there are relatives, but before all his inquiries are answered, the miner dies leaving Phil a picture of himself and sister and the information that his dead sister is survived by a little daughter whose whereabouts he knew not. The claim proves valuable and Phil negotiates with a mining company for its development, the president of which is Count Nicasio, husband of Claudia Nicasio, a worshiper of social rank. Phil is invited to the Nicasio home and there meets Claudia's sister, Jean Bradford, who is expected to marry a title in the person of Lord Devlin, a profligate. Effie finds her dream of an art career empty and goes to work as a model. In this way she meets Devlin, who wins her affection, and after finding that she is the heir to Phil's mining claim and unwilling to assign her rights to him he casts her aside. Phil and Jean soon become attached to each other, which inflames Devlin. About this time, Phil's parents decide to surprise him by a visit. They arrive while Phil is at dinner with the Nicasios, and Devlin stopping in at Phil's apartment on his way to the dinner finds them and for the purpose of discrediting Phil with the Countess and her set, he suggests that the old people attend the dinner just as they are, assuring them of a welcome. Phil does welcome them, but they are treated contemptuously by the Countess and her guests and Phil takes them away indignantly. Jean, who has been disturbed by her sister's conduct and more than ever impressed with Phil's nobility, sends him a note the next morning, asking him to meet her in the garden, where they pledge their love. The Countess has a secret lover, and by accident mails a note intended for him to Devlin. This he uses as a lever to force his suit with Jean. Jean, engaged in charitable work, discovers Phil, comforting Effie, whom he saves from suicide and sends home, and misconstruing his action she listens to her sister's persuasion and consents to marry Lord Devlin. After an explanation, however, the lovers are reunited. Claudia confesses and begs Jean to save her from ruin, but Jean refuses. In desperation, Claudia goes to Devlin's apartment with a revolver, determined to get the incriminating letter. Jean follows her fearing trouble. In the meantime. Phil has learned from Effie that she is heir to the mine and of Devlin's attempt to gain control; he goes to call on Devlin in order to regain it and finds Jean alone with him, Claudia having hidden at Jean's approach. Phil gets possession of the two documents, gives Devlin a sound thrashing, and all ends happily for him and Jean.
- Jo Bradley, a young author, is in love with Nellie Armstrong, daughter of Col. Armstrong, who is affected with heart disease. The Colonel desires Nellie to marry Robert Joffrey, an unprincipled lawyer, but Nellie loves Jo. Joffrey conspires with his friend Clara, a woman of shady reputation, to ensnare Nellie in a plot in which he plans to rescue her from a threatened scandal on condition that she marry him. Clara inveigles Nellie to her room on pretense of illness, slips a locket into Nellie's pocket and then accuses her of theft, threatening to call the police. Jo, however, comes to her rescue and takes her home. The Colonel is grateful to Jo for his act and finally concludes that he is the fellow for Nellie to marry. Seized with an attack of heart failure, he hastily writes a note: "Marry Jo. It is my dying wish." Then he dies. Joffrey comes in, discovers the note and changes it to read "Marry Joffrey." Nellie finds the note and decides to accede to her father's wish and marry Joffrey. Jo suspects trickery and on looking at the blotter on the Colonel's table finds proof of Joffrey's perfidy. He confronts the lawyer; a fight follows and Jo forces him to confess.