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- At the zoo where she is performing with wild animals Mrs. Fairfield, daughter of George Winters, recognizing Mancey, a gentleman crook, who had been the cause of her father's downfall and untimely death, and who has since disappeared. The sight of him again overcomes her with conflicting emotions and she forgets her part with the animals until she is in danger. Her husband, Fairfield, springs into the arena and saves her. Mancey writes a note to Mrs. Fairfield demanding that she meet him. The note falls into the hands of Fairfield, who, without a word, has it delivered to his wife. He determines to be at the meeting place. Mancey demands money from her under penalty of exposing the life of her father. Fairfield, overhearing the demand, is moved to step out and interfere, but he realizes that to do so would bring public disgrace upon his wife. Mrs. Fairfield feels the sting of Mancey's words and is lost in retrospection. Mancey's mind also reverts to the past. A plan suggests itself to Mrs. Fairfield. She whispers to Mancey to come to her home, late that night. At a signal she will admit him and pay the money he asks. The words please Mancey, but they do not escape the listening ears of Fairfield. Was his wife really going to accede to the demands of Mancey? Engrossed in thought, Fairfield returned to the arena. He came face to face with Nero, the lion, his especial pet, and his wife's, too. He stroked Nero's mane and then an idea came to him. Why not let the lion have a little joy out of this? He was one of the family: the woman, the lion and the man. At the appointed time Mancey lay in waiting for the signal. She expressed the wish to retire. Fairfield bid her an affectionate good-night. In her dresser lay her revolver. She brought it out and after satisfying herself that all was quiet extinguished the light. It was the signal. Mancey cautiously made his way to the window while Mrs. Fairfield noiselessly made her way towards the room where the money was kept. Mancey was safely inside; the curtains part and he sees a lion. It is a duel in the dark between man and Nero, the lion Mr. Fairfield brought to revenge his wife's torments. In the other room, where Fairfield has been waiting, his wife encounters him. They both hear the lion's roar and the fall of bodies. Mrs. Fairfield almost collapses. Fairfield takes the revolver from her hand, helps her to a chair and rushes into the room where Mancey had met his fatal Waterloo.
- David Quixans. a young Jewish violinist living in the town of Kishineff, Russia, is left an orphan through the massacre of the orthodox Jews upon the "Black Easter" of Russia, when under the leadership of Baron Revandel, Governor of Kishineff, who has been commissioned by the Czar to baptize one-third and massacre one-third of all the Jews in Russia, he is left orphaned in his ruined home. The sympathy of Vera, the daughter of the Baron, is aroused in connection with the Jewish outrage of which she is a witness. While upon an errand of mercy, she attracts the attention of the Czar's spies and is subsequently made a prisoner, where her father refuses to recognize her and she is sentenced to Siberia. A Jewish woman who wishes to join her husband in Siberia induces Vera to change places with her and Vera successfully makes her escape upon a trading vessel bound for America. David is exiled with the Jews to America. He joins his uncle in "The Music Master" and "Grandmother" in New York. Vera in America finds employment in a Russian Mission upon the East Side, where she attracts the attention, by her beauty and culture, of Quincy Davenport, a patron of music in search of genius upon the East Side. Vera interests Davenport in David, whom she has met, and Davenport offers to send him abroad to study, realizing the possibilities of his music. David refuses to be patronized by a man who had no greater aim in life than amusement. Instead, he interests a German music master in a wonderful symphony symbolic of the amalgamation of all the foreign races in the great "melting pot" of America. David and Vera through a bond of music find themselves in love with each other to the horror of David's uncle, who considers David false to his race in loving a Christian. Davenport cables Vera's father of her presence in America and her engagement to a common Jew peddler. The Baron hastens to America, where meeting Vera he reproaches her for forgetting her country and birth. Vera finally induces him to meet David. Throughout the year the memory of the man who ordered the massacre that left him an orphan has been an obsession with David, and when he sees and recognizes in Vera's father the specter of the past, he is overcome with horror, declaring that a river of blood separates them forever. Overcome with sorrow, the Baron offers to let David take his life, but at the crucial moment David discovers a broken string upon his violin and realizes that rage had for the moment swept aside the brotherhood of the great land of the free. He controls himself and leaves the Baron. The great symphony finished, David appears before a brilliant audience and is proclaimed a genius. The audience is swept to its feet with enthusiasm as the music vividly portrays the saving of all the races in the great crucible of the "melting pot" of America. Overpowered by his success, David leaves the theater seeking refuge in the solemn quiet of the night, where he is followed by Vera, who convinces him that here in the new land all race prejudice has been swept aside and love and liberty can walk unmolested together.
- Stanley Clark seduces innocent young Marion in a hotel room, then tears out the incriminating page from the hotel register to use for blackmailing. Years later, Marion marries Governor John Loring whose brother, Richard, overhears Clark extorting money from Marion. Richard follows Marion to Clark's room where she begs for more time to raise the required money. As Richard fights with Clark, Marion picks up a gun and accidentally shoots and kills the blackmailer. Richard takes the blame for the murder, is convicted and sentenced to be executed. Out of guilt and fear, Marion remains silent during the trial, but eventually tells her husband the truth. In order to save his brother, John sacrifices the governorship and moves his family to another city.
- Old Weatherby, a broken down tramp, finds a friend in a passerby. With money given him by the good Samaritan, Weatherby starts off to satisfy his hunger. He is attracted by some theater posters announcing the performance of the drama, "Youth." The pangs of hunger urge him to buy food, but the play of "Youth" calls him and he spends his money to witness the play. It is the story of his own youth, of the years he wasted. Harry and June were child sweethearts in an orphanage at Cedarville. They grow up together, Harry becoming a machinist in a village factory and June a milliner's apprentice. As they grew older they planned to marry, but the young man was summoned to a big city where he was informed that he had inherited a vast amount of money, left him by his uncle. The fortune is turned over to the young man and he lingers among the white lights. The village physician is also in love with June, but she does not encourage his attentions and openly makes known that she is betrothed to Harry. A desire to see a little of life takes a hold on Harry and be visits one of the roof gardens where Bohemians gather. "Billie," a woman of the world, and Robert Leslie, her friend, are attracted by the strange actions of the country boy. The woman plans to catch him in her net and Leslie helps to pave the way by bidding her a hasty good-night, to leave her to fascinate Harry. Her charms set Harry's brain in a whirl. One night at the roof garden, Leslie "dares" Harry to marry "Billie," for such is the trap set by the two schemers. Hypnotized by the woman and his brain dull from wine, Harry consents and the party hurries to a Justice of the Peace and the ceremony takes place. Not until the next day does Harry realize what he has done. In the meantime June's heart has wilted and she wonders for her lover. She goes to the city to seek him and there confronts Harry with the woman. June is heartbroken at the news of the wedding. June returns to the country and the young physician, still pleading his love for her, she marries him and they establish a happy home. Gradually "Billie" extracts the wealth of her husband and so great is his love for her that he is blind to her sham love for him. Suddenly his eyes are opened when he finds his wife and Leslie scheming against him in his own home. A scene follows, Harry ordering Leslie from the house with a demand never to return and the woman then betrays her real attitude toward Harry. As Harry broods, his wife gathers her belongings together and elopes with Leslie, although it is the eve of her motherhood. Through a detective agency Harry tries to trace his wife and her would-be lover. Four years have passed and Harry has used every means to find his wife and child without result. Leslie has sunken to the level of a common crook, deserted "Billie," who, heartbroken at her folly, passes to another world. The little daughter is left in a wretched condition in a dirty tenement room. The child goes out into the open in a drenching rain and looking for shelter climbs into an unoccupied automobile. Soon Harry enters the machine, discovers the child, and takes her home. That night, Leslie and some of his associates go out on a burglarizing expedition. Masked, Leslie climbs into the living room of Harry's apartment, a struggle follows and the mask is torn from his face. The little child is aroused by the noise and as she appears, Leslie makes known that it is Harry's own daughter. As the father clings to the child, Leslie steals away. The following day Harry resolves to return to Cedarville. As he and his little "Pal" near the town, Harry sees the scenes of his happy childhood. The swimming pool appeals to him and he attires himself in a bathing suit and plunges into the water. A gypsy and his family come across the automobile belonging to Harry and likewise the man's clothes. These the gypsy appropriates to his own use and leaving his wagon behind rides away with his family in style. When "Little Pal" and her father are ready to go they are forced to use the abandoned wagon and Harry attires himself in the clothes left by the gypsy. Reaching the town of Cedarville, the child has taken sick and Harry goes to the town doctor. He learns of the marriage of June and the physician and after getting medicine, starts off to lead the life of a gypsy. For months he and his daughter travel near the outskirts of the village until the child is suddenly taken very ill and dies. He takes the body back to the scene of his younger days and there makes a little grave. The play of "Youth" is ended. The crowd leaves the theater and "Old Weatherby" remains unmoved. An usher shakes him and then draws back, realizing that the old man has passed away.
- Captain Delmar resumes command of Tower Post, India, after an absence of twenty years. In his commission is an order to make a secret investigation of some famous jewels, which are indemnity to the English crown and have mysteriously disappeared. The Rajah selim, an Indian prince, while reading the official communication that he is to pay his allegiance to Captain Delmar, relives the past, a past or hatred for the captain who, when a young man, was successful in winning of the heart of Tara, a Harem favorite of the prince. Captain Delmar really loved the Indian girl, and upon being called back to England, resolves to marry her. When he returns to the garden to get the girl, he finds her dead body. Her death is clothed in mystery and the young captain believes that she has been murdered by Hindoo slaves for the wonderful jewels she wears. He proceeds in England broken-hearted, but eventually marries an English girl. It is his daughter, Dorothy, now grown to young womanhood, whom he brings to India with him upon being ordered to the Post. The Rajah has carried out a secret, but hideous revenge upon the girl Tara. It was he who had her stolen from the garden and stabbed her to death. Only the departure of the young English officer at that time had saved him from a similar fate and now that he has returned, as commanding officer of the Post, his revenge again burns deeply. With Hindoo subtlety he covers up his deep designs, giving the usual audience to the captain and his daughter. He places at the disposal of the young English girl some of his own court servants. These servants are headed by Sahan, spy, through whom the Rajah is to carry out his plot. There is a secret passage from the palace to the Post, the trap door entering to the library of the Captain. Through this secret passage the spy carries messages, and at the Rajah's command he cuts the telephone wires, intending that night to steal the Captain and his daughter and bring them to the palace. By burning the bungalow he thinks to deflect suspicion, leaving the impression that they have been burned to death. The Captain, finding the telephone wires cut, has sent Lieutenant Grey, who is the fiancé of Dorothy, to a nearby post to investigate conditions. When the lieutenant returns he finds the bungalow burned and believes, as the Rajah has intended, that the Captain and his daughter have met their fate within it. In the meantime the Rajah has the Captain and the girl in his power. He tells the Captain that he will throw him into a cell and keep Dorothy for himself. The girl, as she sees her father dragged away, almost goes mad. Soma, the present favorite, but who has never won the love of the Rajah, as his heart is with the past, realizes the awful fate that is about to overtake the English girl, but can do little to help her. Fate steps in when the girl loses her mind under the strain, and the superstition of the Rajah places her beyond the earthly pale. The lieutenant has discovered the secret passage. His suspicion aroused, he makes his way to the palace and comes upon his sweetheart and the Hindoo girl. Dorothy regains her mind when she sees her lover. When the Rajah is about to enter, Soma, now the guardian angel of Dorothy tells the lieutenant that if he is to save the Captain and his daughter he must bring help. The lieutenant escapes through the secret passage and sends to a neighboring Post for a small company of cavalry. Meanwhile the Rajah has discovered that Dorothy has regained her mind. He brings forth the jewels that once bedecked Tara. He adorns her with the jewels, has the Captain brought before him and shows him his daughter dressed as a harem favorite. He gives orders to have the beasts, lions of the royal menagerie, starved. Soma has secreted herself in Dorothy's room, with the intention of stabbing the Rajah when he comes. The Captain is dragged forth to the jungle. The Rajah goes to bring Dorothy before he shall give the final order. The young Lieutenant arrives with his company and a battle ensues, as they are denied admittance to the palace. When the Captain is freed through this timely interference, he rushes to save his daughter and arrives just in time, as the arm of the brave Soma is not strong enough to deliver the death she intends. They find upon Dorothy the jewels that are sought by the English government.
- Daisy Crane, the village good-for-nothin' and town charge, is farmed out for her keep to Mrs. Gray. Mischievous and eternally at war with the rest of the children, Daisy is a burden to the townspeople and particularly to the schoolmarm. After a stormy episode at school, the board decides to employ a male teacher and engages Robert Manning, a man of deep understanding. He is instructed not to spare the rod, and special attention is directed to Daisy, His handling of the good-for-nothin' seems to awaken a new spirit in the girl and soon she realizes that Manning is a friend. In his determination to develop what good there is in the girl, he gives her his undivided attention outside of school hours, all of which affords the busy-bodies of the community food for scandal. The gradual taming of Daisy becomes obvious and a deep friendship springs up between the child and the school master. One day Daisy sees Manning walking with two other girl pupils of the class and she becomes jealous. Her childish attitude at viewing the situation causes her to run away and brood. In the meantime, Mrs. Gray institutes a search for her and the scandal mongers of the town and the school board suggest that Daisy could be found at Manning's home. Unable to control her jealousy, Daisy at last decides that she will return a little book of poems that the schoolmaster gave her as a present. She goes to his home and as she is about to enter she sees the school board coming toward the house. Fearing them she secludes herself close by. Manning receives the members of the school board and invites them to enter his home. While they are inside, Daisy gains an entrance to the place and hides in a closet in another room. The board members tell of Daisy's disappearance and almost openly accuse the schoolmaster of having her in hiding in his place. He therefore invites them to make a search. This startles Daisy and she runs for the window to escape, but in doing so attracts attention by the noise she makes. Manning is astonished. The deductions are inevitable. Manning cannot explain and Daisy will not. Realizing he must act quickly, Manning announces Daisy as his future wife stating he will marry her on the morrow. The members of the board leave the house and stand gossiping outside, one urging that Manning be informed of the origin of the child. Manning escorts Daisy to her home and as he arrives he is confronted by Silas Hodges and others who tell him of the Brat's life. Daisy steals away and Manning finds only traces of her at the lake.
- Captain Morey and Major Carr, at the English post Simla, India, are rivals for the affection of Marjorie Lansdown. The Major discovers that she loves Captain Morey, and being the superior officer, he sends Morey to a desolate outpost in the jungle district. Morey accepts his fate, but knows the reason of his transfer. He and Marjorie part sadly. On his way to the jungle district he comes across a ceremony of human sacrifice. He saves the young victim, a young native girl, and has her brought to the outpost to protect her in the name of the British Government. The fanatic priest, thus interfered with, and hating the English, follows the girl to the outpost later with the idea of killing the captain and regaining his victim. The girl, at the risk of her own life, stabs the priest, as she is now the young English captain's abject slave. He does not notice her love, being engrossed in his love for Marjorie, but, of course, is drawn to her in gratitude for her brave deed. The major, through his spy, carries out his plans to defeat the young captain. The letters that they write to each other are destroyed and never reach their destination. As the months go by, disappointment enters the heart of each. The fever mists of the jungle claim the heartsick captain as a victim. The adoring native girl nurses him tenderly back to life. She knows the herbs to give him and this, with her nursing, restores him to health. The first news that he gets of Marjorie is a notice through the newspaper of her engagement to the major. Being tied to the native girl through gratitude and loneliness, he now turns to her and accepts her love. In the meantime the major had poisoned Marjorie's mind by telling her that Morey has taken a morganatic wife. Fate now steps in and Marjorie and her father accept the major's invitation to witness a leopard hunt in the jungles. Nadje, to wean the captain of his growing love for native wines and to strengthen him, persuades him to go on a hunt with her into the forest. In the jungle hunt, Marjorie becomes separated from her party and is thrown from her horse and about to be killed by a leopard when Nadje saves her life. Marjorie is hurt and Nadje gets her to the camp, where Morey is resting, the girl, Nadje, witnesses the meeting of the lovers, hears their explanations, witnesses their despair at the unkindness of fate. Death enters her own soul. That night the two hunting parties camp together. The natives keep close watch, as they know death stalks in the jungle as a result of the day's killing. Nadje, too, knows this, and as she realizes that she is not the love of Morey and sees the struggle that goes on in the hearts of the two, she commends her soul to her idols, goes into the lair of the leopards, binds herself to a tree and embraces death. The natives find her after she has been almost killed, and carry her to the camp. There Morey and Marjorie read her sacrifice in her dying eyes and grief and repentance enters their soul. She tells them that her fate was hung about her neck. The young officer returns to Simla after six months and again the harp of love is struck, but the minor of memories lends a sadness to its consummation.
- Peyton Carothers and Margaret Grayton fancy themselves in love. Through reverses in fortune both are penniless and to these two, marriage without money is hopeless. The millionaire, Robert Van Allen, is deeply in love with Margaret and has asked her several times to become his wife. She and Carothers plan to attain their ends by making a fool of Van Allen. When he proposes marriage again, Margaret makes a cold-blooded proposition to marry him for the sum of one million dollars. Thinking he can gain her love after marriage, Van Allen agrees and gives her a promissory note to be paid following the ceremony. They are married, and Carothers, Van Allen's false friend, officiates at the wedding as best man. Van Allen takes his bride to a beautiful country home he has had built for her reception and there, too, Carothers goes as a guest. He and Margaret plot to betray Van Allen. A few months pass with nothing serious happening except the bitter disappointment and heartache of Van Allen, he realizes that his bargain was indeed a cold-blooded proposition. He is called away to the city on a business appointment. He accidentally misses his train and he returns to his home to find Carothers and his wife in a love scene. From Margaret's lips he overhears the bitter truth. Van Allen decides to teach the couple a lesson and acting on the theory that enforced familiarity breeds contempt, locks the two together with handcuffs and drives them before him under the lash of a whip to his lodge in a secluded and desolate spot in the mountains. The guilty pair are locked in a cabin, which is well stocked with food and there he leaves them to the consequences of their own wrong doing, while he sets up a camp outside to watch developments. The weeks pass none too pleasantly for the would-be lovers who find their love a bitter delusion and each other's company a curse. With his wrist locked to that of the woman he has sworn to love, the caddishness of Carothers turns to savagery and he treats her brutally. One night Van Allen leaves the cabin door open and Carothers forces Margaret to steal away with him. Van Allen trails them. After an all-night walk they find themselves lost in the desert. Margaret is exhausted and unable to continue and drops to the baked earth. Van Allen is moved at the plight of the woman he loved and unlocks the handcuffs and gives her water. Carothers steals upon the millionaire, tears the revolver from his side and snatches Van Allen's rifle. He tossed the revolver to Margaret and tells her to cover Van Allen with it. Then denouncing the millionaire as a fool and vowing he will kill him, Carothers aims the rifle but is shot himself by the woman he stole away. Unable to endure it any longer Margaret pleads to regain the love of her husband and there is a happy ending.
- Third in the "Stanley's Adventures in Africa" series, about the adventures of an exploration party on the way to find the Hidden City in Africa.
- Captain Roberts reports to Col. Sanders of the appearance of sudden threatening activities in the native secret society. Reaching home he discovers his daughter, Helen, has gone to a reception. He follows her, but en route receives a decoy note. While returning he is overpowered by natives and taken to their rendezvous. When Col. Sanders arrives at the place of reception he finds that Helen is not there. A disturbance outside attracts the attention of the party and when Col. Sanders returns to the reception room he finds a note informing him of the capture of Helen. The party immediately mount their horses and hasten to rescue her. Helen is obliged to assume native garb and mount an elephant. The natives see the approach of the rescue party and bind and gag their victim. The rescue party passes without discovering her identity. Helen is carried to far away Hindoo City and presented to the Rajah, who falls in love with her. He removes her from the power of the high priest and places her in the hands of his women. Having been educated in England, the Rajah has high respect for Christian women. The high priest insists on keeping her in his power. The Rajah objects and to secure Helen's freedom suggests that she go through the formality of marriage. The Rajah will then have the right to return her to her father. Helen consents and Captain Roberts is notified to come for her. The Rajah enters the room of a group of lions who attack and kill him. The high priest again makes Helen prisoner to be burned alive with the body of her husband, according to the custom of the country. Captain Roberts, upon receiving the Rajah's letter, becomes hysterical and takes a party of friends with him to free his daughter. Helen has been tied to a stake and the funeral pyre is fired. But the high priest, desiring Helen for himself, has constructed a trap door. While the fire burns she is lowered to a sacred chamber and is placed in charge of Jumba, keeper of the sacred animals, who is in love with the high priest. The high priest attempts liberties but is repulsed by Helen. Jumba endeavors to free Helen and passes her through the den of sacred animals and the secret chambers. Captain Roberts and the rescue party gain entrance to the chamber when the high priest enters the secret door with natives. They attack the rescuing party when suddenly Helen rises from the altar and the natives, thinking her a ghost, flee in terror. Helen recognizes and rushes to her father and the high priest, angered at Jumba, attacks her. In the fight Jumba kills the high priest in self-defense and then flees from the temple. Roberts, Helen and the rescue party make good their escape.
- John Carlton is a writer and genius. After superhuman effort against the obstacles of poverty, he finishes his play. Being too poor to copyright it, he submits it to a producer, and in the stress of the moment, accepts as payment $100. The play is the talk of the hour and Carlton, knowing of its immense drawing powers, and being discouraged by the return of his book from the publisher with the usual note of no commercial value, he goes to the play's producer and demands a royalty. The producer taunts him with the lack of copyright and considers the episode closed. Carlton grasps a roll of bills from the table and attacks the manager. He is arrested and sentenced to six months in jail. When he emerges from his imprisonment his genius has died within him and in its place is a hatred of mankind. He makes his way to remote wilds. Here he comes upon a tragedy, the death of a woman, far from a doctor's service, and the death of her husband, who has been going for a doctor and has encountered wild animals. Carlton finds that he cannot desert a little seven-year-old girl that is left, and taking her and the squaw who is her only companion, ,he presses on to be farther away from the haunts of men, but not alone. Ten years later, the girl has grown to womanhood. Carlton has built a hut and has brought from civilization many evidences of his taste and culture. With a sort of insanity he guards his paradise from the invasion of men and breaks the law of man ruthlessly. While away on one of his mysterious journeys a young aristocrat, who has been hunting big game, is wounded by a stray shot and saved from death by the young princess of the mountains who comes upon him just as a puma is about to attack him. With the squaw she gets him to retreat. The friends of the hunter give him up for dead and leave the district. Carlton has now to return and find in the girl a love for the youth which he himself has begun to covet. With the added hatred of mankind to the jealousy of love, he determines to shoot the man but comes upon a tryst, and in the face of the girl he reads the story of her heart. He discloses his career to the young man, who, finding himself unable to overcome his love for her, exacts a promise that he, Carlton, will never see the girl again after he, the young hunter, makes the girl his wife. The girl, horrified to find the man she has idolized as her father, a bandit and a thief, turns with relief to her lover to be taken away from his neighborhood. And so after seeing them married he turns back to the retreat and the light goes out of his life. There seems nothing but death left but the hidden law is working even for him, as it has exacted toll from him. He reads in an old newspaper the story of an unwritten genius, whose book has set the world aflame and the royalties of which await the author, should he ever be found. This strange trick of fate is due to the fact that his old landlady, of former years, has picked up the book he supposed that he had left burning, and has herself submitted it, not claiming to be the author. Thus through the years he has been in his proper status in society without knowing it. Love conquers the heart of the girl and she insists upon returning to bid her foster father a more loving farewell. So in his darkest hour he learns the lesson of truth and allows himself to be persuaded to go back to the world he has deserted.
- Ada has been taken captive by the White King. His village is attacked by slave traders, the huts are destroyed, and Ada and the king are seized. Meanwhile, Jack Wilson, Ada's sweetheart, has set forth single-handed to rescue the girl he loves. He is joined, en route, by Nina and the old Hag. Captain Batty rouses Stanley to a realization of the seriousness of the situation, and folding their tent, the explorer and his party start after the slave traders. Ada defends herself from the chief of the slave traders with her gun. The White King, however, under false overtures of friendship, contrives to disarm the girl and lead her before the chief. She and the king both are tied to trees. Jack Wilson knocks senseless a sentinel and succeeds in freeing Ada. After a brief battle he escapes from the village, taking Nina, the Old Hag, Ada and the White King with him. Stanley, meanwhile arrives, surrounds the settlement, and takes the slave trader captive. Wilson and his friends push on into the jungle. A halt is called while Jack and the White King go in search of food. During their absence Ada is attacked by a lion. She fights desperately. Wilson, hearing her cries, rushes back just in time to save her life by shooting the beast. Stanley's party continue their quest of Wilson and Ada.
- Annie Welslie, a charming society girl, and her maiden aunt Julia are stopping at a winter resort in Florida, where they meet Jack Barton and Bill Lanison, who are pals. Both are gamblers, but honest, big-hearted and true. Jack is a handsome, dashing fellow, very manly, somewhat rough, but one of nature's noblemen. Annie falls in love with Jack, but conceals the fact from her aunt, who is a great stickler for propriety, and Bill falls desperately in love with Aunt Julia. Lewis Waldron, who is also in love with Annie, tries to poison her mind again Jack, telling her that he is a gambler. Annie refuses to believe this; she defends Jack and dismisses Waldron, telling him she never wishes to see him again. Jack appears, offers Waldron his hand, which is refused. Waldron leaves vowing vengeance. Jack declares his love for Annie, and in spite of her aunt's objections, is accepted. Bill, his pal, taking courage from Jack's success, tries his hand at love-making, but is a dismal failure; however, he does not despair, and concludes to try again. Seven years elapse. We find Jack and Annie happily married and living on a ranch in Colorado. A little daughter (Irma) has been born to them, who is the pride of Jack's heart. Aunt Julia visits them, and Bill, who has been a true pal to Jack, sharing his fortune in the west, again meets her and renews his love-making in his earnest and ridiculous fashion, and this time with more success, as Aunt Julia accepts him on condition that he renounce gambling, which he does. Waldron, under the guise of a friend and brother, has also followed them west. Jack has implicit confidence and trust in his false friend, and being called away to Texas on business, leaves his wife and baby under Waldron's protection. After an affecting scene. Jack takes his departure, but in his grief leaves his traveling bag behind. No sooner bas Jack gone than Waldron proceeds to poison Annie's mind against Jack, telling her that there is another woman, and Jack has gone to Texas to open a gambling house. He convinces her of this by false proofs. In her desperation she decides to leave him and return with her aunt and Waldron, whom she regards only as a brother. During this scene Jack returns for his bag. He overhears the conversation and learns of Waldron's treachery. As they are about to depart, Jack intercepts them. Here follows a thrilling scene in which Jack attempts to kill Waldron. Annie stops him and pleads for Waldron's life. Jack permits Waldron to go unharmed, but tells Annie they can no longer live together. At this point Irma, their little daughter, in her baby way tries to reconcile them. Jack demands that the child choose between mother and father. The child attempts to join their hands. The father relents and decides to go away and leave the child with its mother, giving Annie, his wife, the house and all it contains. While he is in another part of the house looking for the deeds, Waldron returns to take Annie away. She sees her error and tells him to leave the house. He attempts to embrace her, when she picks up the revolver Jack has left on the table. She levels it at him at him and commands him to go. He does so. Jack in the meantime has returned and witnessed this scene, unseen by them. He goes to Annie, who is sobbing, and he begs her forgiveness. As he takes her lovingly in his arms, Irma kneels before them in an attitude of prayer.
- David McCare, the love liar, is a musical genius, the idol of society, hated by men and worshiped by women. He casts off his mistress, Margie Gay, for a new love, Diana Strongwell, an heiress. Margie pleads with him to take her back, but McCare gets rid of her through the services of Ludwig, his valet, and a broken-down musician. Ludwig is also in love with Margie. McCare marries Diana, much to the chagrin of Edna Carewe, a friend of Diana's, who is also attracted by the musician. They live happily for a short tune until McCare becomes discontented and makes advances to Edna. Meanwhile Margie finds the narrow path a stony one. A woman of the streets suggests the easiest way. Margie shrinks but finally consents. The first man she accosts is Ludwig, who leads her to her home and offers marriage. She is reluctant at first, but eventually agrees, and they are married. At a dinner dance given by Diana, she catches McCare making love to Edna. Diana denounces Edna and demands that she leave her home. McCare answers that if Edna goes he, too, will leave. And so husband and wife are parted. In time Diana divorces the "love liar" and he marries Edna. Diana advises Edna later that McCare is an overgrown child, and that in order to keep his love he must be pampered. A year passes. Edna, with the aid of Diana's advice, has made the "love liar" happy. One night in a café he sees Arlene Allaire, a hall-room dancer. At home Edna has given birth to a baby and though it will live, it is evident that its birth will bring death to the mother. Diana, who is at the side of Edna, rushes out to find McCare, and locates him in the café, where he has assumed the leadership of the orchestra and is directing Arlene's dance music. At the news of his wife's illness McCare is stricken with dumb surprise and hurries home. Edna dies in his arms. For days McCare lived in an abstracted mood, watched over by Ludwig and Diana. One day as he plays his violin a vision of Arlene passes before his eyes. He throws off hid brooding mood and goes back to the café and to Arlene. Her bills have been paid by McCare's checks until one day a number of them come back stamped "No Funds," and from that moment on Van Allen, who had been previously paying for everything for the dancer, finds himself again welcome at her apartments. It is here that McCare finds him one evening. The men fight; the police are called and McCare is arrested, but Arlene refuses to make any charge and McCare is simply put out into the street. Ludwig takes McCare home, and there Margie and he care for the wrecked man. But McCare cannot blot the image of Arlene from his mind and he returns to the café where Arlene is dancing, securing employment as a musician. Here Diana finds him. She begs him to tell her his troubles. He breaks down and confesses his love for Arlene. In time drink claimed him, too, and McCare sank lower. Time passed and McCare became desperate with love and jealousy. One night while Arlene is dancing a madness overcomes him. He dashes his violin to the floor, takes Arlene up in his arms and starts with her up the grand stairway to the café. The attendants attempt to overpower him, but he throws them off, and drawing a revolver, compels Arlene, who has scurried away, to come to the foot of the stairs. Covering the startled crowd, he speaks to Arlene, "You've taken all my heart, my honor, my manhood. At your feet I fling the dregs." He shoots himself and falls down the stairway to Arlene's feet. Diana took him home and the "love liar" lived another day, forever calling upon the name of she who had shown him Hell. Diana, ever his friend, went to Arlene's apartment and pleaded with her to come to McCare's bedside. She refuses at first, so Diana poured the contents of her purse at her feet. Thus bribed, Arlene consented to go, and in her arms the soul of the "love liar" passed. When all are gone and Diana is left alone with her dead, she takes him in her arms, for at last he belongs to her, to her alone.
- Allan Dwight, sheriff, and Jean Belleau, a young French surveyor, live in Circle City. They bear such a striking resemblance that they can hardly be distinguished one from the other. Jean has a half-wit brother, Paul, whom Holden, a political crook, teases and bullies. Dwight catches him in the act, thrashes him, and incurs the enmity of the bully. That night Holden and Pascal, a Mexican, meet McFadden to get from him their share of money contributed by Senator Thurston tor certain nefarious undertakings. McFadden does not turn over what Holden and Pascal consider their rightful share and they vow vengeance. Their opportunity comes when Paul, the half-wit, in trying to enter McFadden's outhouse to get his runaway dog, is menaced by McFadden. Pascal fires at McFadden, killing him, and then throws the gun and Paul beside the dead man. When the crowd, which is attracted by the shot, gathers around, Holden accuses Paul of the murder, and incites the mob to lynch him. Bob Clayton, a friend of Jean's, attempts to stay them, but, being unsuccessful, he hurries to notify Jean and Dwight. Dwight arrives first and tries to circumvent the mob's fury. A struggle follows in the course of which Dwight is thrown against the barrel upon which Paul is standing and the boy is hung. Jean arrives and swears vengeance upon those responsible for his brother's death. Dwight is in love with Evelyn, the daughter of Senator Thurston, who is in control of the party known as the Thurston gang. Dwight makes his feelings known in the matter of the gang's activities, and Evelyn feels that her father is the brunt of his remarks. Dwight, however, continues his course of attempting to stamp out the work of the gang. A month or so rolls by and a mysterious bandit appears. After each successful robbery he leaves a note signed "The Devil." He becomes so daring that a vigilante committee is organized to capture him. In his mountain lair it is seen that "the devil" is none other than Jean Belleau. His lieutenants are Clayton and Holden, the latter having confessed to Jean that Pascal was his brother's murderer, causing Jean to end the Mexican's existence. Holden has grown jealous of Jean and makes known the bandit's identity to two detectives, advising them that he may be known by his horse, which is branded with the form of a pitchfork. When Jean goes to town he is pursued by the officers, but escapes capture by hiding in Dwight's automobile. Dwight learns that he is in his car, and desirous to save the good that is in him, Dwight permits the bandit to take his car to escape while he takes charge of Jean's horse. Jean returns the car the next morning and leaves with it a note saying that he has decided to give up his lawless life. Soon after Jean leaves after extracting a promise from his friend, Clayton, that he, too. will also abandon the lite of an outlaw. Holden assumes the leadership of the gang and plans a bold daylight robbery, proposing to assume the character of "The Devil." Clayton overhears the plot and determines to frustrate it for the sake of "The Devil's" name. In the attempt Clayton is shot by Holden, who, with his gang, escapes to the mountain retreat. When Dwight hears of the robbery and is told that "The Devil" is responsible, he determines to seek out Jean and either make a man of him or bring him back a prisoner. He starts out on Jean's horse. Meanwhile the vigilante committee is also bent upon entering the bandit mountain stronghold. Holden was badly wounded in the affray at the bank. Holden wounds Dwight, and noting the remarkable resemblance between the sheriff and Jean, he places evidences of the bank robbery upon the man he has wounded. So the posse finds Dwight, and of course, their natural assumption is that Dwight has been the bandit. Dwight is taken back to town and arraigned before the authorities. An account of the bandit's career is printed in the papers and attributed to Dwight. Jean, speeding eastward on a train, reads the story, and realizing the situation, wires back to the Circle City authorities to stop prosecution until he arrives. He does return and Dwight is released from custody. The police are anxious to run down Holden and offer Jean certain clemency if he will lead them to the mountain stronghold, where Holden and his men are hidden. Jean consents to avenge the death of his friend Clayton, at Holden's bands. When Jean and the posse arrive a pitched battle takes place. At last Jean and Holden meet. After a terrific fight Jean succeeds in rolling Holden over to the edge of a cliff. Holden falls over it, but Jean, with a firm grip upon his wrists, holds him suspended in midair as he himself lies at the edge of the cliff on his breast. One of the bandits takes aim and fires at Jean. As the bullet enters his body Jean, with a convulsive movement, loosens his hold on Holden's wrists and the latter is dashed on the rocks thousands of feet below. Jean struggles to his feet and tries to make his way back to the posse, but only succeeds in reaching his faithful horse and at her side he falls. Meanwhile Dwight has recovered from his wounds and found a happy resting place in the arms of Evelyn.
- Having conquered the Bungangetas and destroyed their village, Stanley and his party move onward to find Ada, who has been kidnapped by Andrea and taken through the jungle to reach Andrea's home. Jack, Ada's sweetheart, becomes impatient at the slow progress, and hurries ahead. In the jungle a tiger separates Andrea and Ada. She takes refuge in the hollow of a giant tree trunk where she finds some lion cubs. As she fondles them the lioness approaches and plunges at Ada, who drops prone to the ground. Her presence of mind has saved her for the animal, mystified, stands over her for a moment and then returns to her cubs. Ada silently rolls into a creek running close by. Ada unsuspectingly walks into the camp of the Babusosses, a band of crocodile worshipers, while they are making the religious sacrifice of throwing their girl-babies to the crocodiles. She denounces the ceremony and as the headman tosses an infant form into the water. Ada swims after and rescues it. A giant monster of the deep makes its way toward Ada but Jack, who has just arrived on the scene, takes in the situation at a glance, and swimming to her aid brings her to the shore unharmed. The incident is witnessed from the distance by Andrea who, realizing in it an opportunity to gain possession of Ada. explains to the headman that the act is a desecration to the Babusosses idol, and incites them to punish the malefactors. Andrea holds a peculiar authority over the Babusosses. At his command they tie Jack to a stake and send for a witch-doctor to marry Andrea and Ada. Preparations for the ceremony are well underway when native scouts report the approach of Stanley. The active force is divided into sections to meet the invaders. A pitched battle follows. Stanley's party is compelled to retreat and Stanley is captured. Ada and Jack escape, however. Not to be thwarted Andrea, now the spokesman for the victors, sends word to Ada that he will release Stanley if she will surrender herself to him. reminding her that Stanley has done so much to help her that she should not deny him. He adds unless she consents he will kill Stanley. The party is at its wits end at this news. Proceeding further in order to be out of the range of the Babusosses and to formulate plans for regaining Stanley, they meet Livingston. The forces of the two parties united, an attack is made upon Andrea with the result that the Babusosses are overwhelmingly Stanley and Livingston and Jack are united, and all the expedition turned into success.
- The wealthy orphan, Ada Payne, determines against the wishes of her guardian to go to Africa and join her lover, Jack Wilson, whom she supposes to be with Stanley's party. Meanwhile Jack and his chum, Tom Dixon, are returning to America with Nina Mannering, whom they have rescued from the Hidden City. They arrive in New York to find Ada gone and resolve to return to Africa and find her. Tom marries Nina and they start. Ada reaches the Hidden City. The guard left behind by Stanley can give her no information. It is an even chance whether he has joined Stanley or has returned to America or is dead. Ada, half distracted, resolves to push forward and join Stanley's party. Jack, Tom and Nina land on the coast and push forward to the Hidden City with various adventures with animals and natives. Stanley, seized with fever, is delayed weeks in an interior town. Jack, Tom and Nina reach the Hidden City and find that Ada has been there and has gone forward. Ada falls in with an eccentric old man with an elephant, known as the Jungle Rat. He becomes the companion of her wanderings. Stanley recovers and moves on up the Congo River by boat. Jack is seized with fever and lies at death's door. Ada is captured by natives. The Jungle Rat is left for dead. Stanley is attacked by natives, but beats them off and fires their town, escaping in the confusion.
- Prosperous businessman Charles Robbins returns home one evening to find himself and his child deserted by his wife. Heartbroken, he decides to lead the hermit's life and goes to Arizona with his child. At the same, Arizona ranchers Mr. and Mrs. Crosby lose their baby and grieve deeply. When Robbins reaches their home he places his baby on their doorstep, then hides until he sees them find her and take her into their home. They soon forget their late sorrow and accept the little one as a gift from heaven. Robbins goes deeper into the woods and builds himself a hut, wishing to watch over his daughter without revealing his identity. A lapse of five years shows the baby, now known as Jess Crosby, a lovable member of the family and the pet of the cowboys. One day she ventures too far into the woods and is attacked by a bear, but the ever-watchful father comes to her aid in time and kills the animal. The hermit is overwhelmed with thanks by the Crosbys and is invited to make his home with them but refuses. Ten years later Jess is wooed by Tom Gunn, a manly cowboy. One day while out walking with Tom she stumbles over a fallen tree at the brink of a ravine, falls and lodges unconscious in a tree on the ledge below and near the bottom. She is rescued by Gunn with Robbins' assistance; he had just reached the spot while hunting. Robbin kills a puma that is making its way toward Jess while Tom draws the unconscious girl up to safety with a lariat. Charles' brother William and nephew John decide to visit him and are made guests at the Crosbys'. John falls in love with Jess, displeasing Gunn, who calls him to task. Jess is angered at the intrusion and in retaliation promises her hand to John. Shortly after this, Gunn and the hermit are out on a hunt. Jess and John about the same time leave the ranch for a walk. In the woods they encounter a couple of pumas and run into the hermit's hut, chased by the pumas. The hermit and Gunn hear the girl's screams, hurry to the scene and rescue them. John has shown an evidence of cowardice which Jess notices and compares with the bravery of Gunn. John, left alone, also feels his unworthiness and goes to Gunn, offering to release Jess. Jess who has also gone to the hut, listens outside and hears John's talk. She is torn by conflicting emotions. While in this predicament a near tragedy is being enacted inside the hut. A puma, which had effected an entrance while all were absent, makes its presence known as it is about to spring on the hermit. John sees it in time to pull the hermit out of its way, and its leap lands it through the door into the open, and just by Jess, who screams in fright and terror. At this instance Crosby and William Robbins arrive while the hermit, Gunn and John come out of the hut. The brothers, the hermit and William Robbins, recognize each other, the hermit claims Jess as his daughter. Jess accepts John Robbins for her cousin and Tom Gunn for her husband.
- Hope Hathaway, motherless and fatherless, has been afflicted with a spinal disease that has prevented the use of her limbs since childhood, confining her to an invalid's chair. On his deathbed Hope's father, a prosperous New England farmer, had left his daughter and her inheritance to the guardianship of his legal adviser, Rufus Flint, and had expressed a wish that she would one day marry Rufus' son, Abner. Thus he aroused the selfish ambitions of Rufus Flint and his son, who possessed the prosperous Hathaway farm. Hope is protected from their constant persecution and efforts to force her into a distasteful marriage with Abner by her faithful old colored nurse, Susie. In the nearby village a moving picture company is working, producing a romantic drama that is to feature the famous moving picture star, Neil Stuart. While the company is lunching, Neil goes for a canter over the country roads, attired in his King's costume and riding the beautiful white charger that he uses in the picture play, in search of water to quench his thirst, he comes upon Hope as she sits in a wooded grove near the Hathaway farm, dreaming over her latest romantic novel. The hero of her novel, as he is pictured in the book, is identical with the character of the King, for which Neil is costumed and to Hope it seems as if her hero lover had stepped in the flesh from the covers of her book to confront her. Discovering Neil's presence on the farm Rufus and Abner attempt to expel him, but they meet with unexpected resistance and are driven away themselves. The next afternoon the moving picture company start for the city and Neil decides to pay a farewell call to the little dreamer in the invalid chair. Finding a ready sympathizer in her hero, Hope tells him of Rufus and Abner Flint's persecution and he gives the old colored nurse his telephone number with instructions that she should call him in case of her mistress' need. Soon after, Rufus decides to bring matters to a speedy climax. He is a Justice of the Peace himself, so he plans to marry Hope to his son by force. They lock Susie in the barn by a clever ruse and after procuring a license proceed to perform the ceremony, but Susie escapes, phones Neil that Hope is in trouble, and he, true to his word, burns the road in his car to the Hathaway place. He arrives too late to prevent the ceremony and Susie tells him that Abner has already started off with Hope on their wedding journey. Incensed at the outrage, Neil gives chase in his car and overtakes Abner and his unwilling bride. Abner's horses run away and the coward jumps to save his own life, leaving the crippled girl to her fate. Entrusting the steering wheel to his chauffeur, Neil leaps to the running board of his car and succeeds in stopping the runaway horses. Abner's leap for life results fatally to him, for his father finds him dead at the edge of the road. Neil takes Hope to his mother's home and soon by the magic of love and science a wonderful change is wrought. A famous specialist restores to Hope the use of her limbs and in the arms of Neil she finds her Land of Heart's Desire.
- Young English engineer Richard Mann has been commissioned to make a preliminary survey for a new railroad in South Africa. At a farewell luncheon at his club, the charm of the ultra-fashionable young ladies of the metropolis is the topic of discussion. The subject does not interest young Mann, who assures his friends that his work will always be his bride. In the Transvaal, the Boer population is resentful towards all modern improvements and particularly against the proposed encroachment of their lands for railroad purposes. Jan Kruger, a prosperous farmer and leader among his neighbors, was particularly bitter against any and all changes in the general conditions of their country. His daughter, Hilda, a sweet and lovable young miss, quite naturally was a partisan to her father's views. These were the conditions that Richard was obliged to contend with upon his arrival at the field of his activities, in addition to the hardships of his work and the dangers of the wild beast-infested jungle through which he was to blaze the way. Hontas, a half-breed, was Kruger's foreman and had long cherished a wild desire to win Hilda's love. While the old Burgher was away from home one day, Hontas, after being repulsed by the girl, attempts to use force, for which he receives a beating from her father, and is summarily discharged. Kruger is a man of violent temper and given to beating any lazy blacks who worked for him and has thus earned their hatred, which fact the discharged foreman uses for his purpose later on. The surveying party pitch their camp near Kruger's land and in the course of events, Richard calls upon Kruger with his credentials, but is ordered away at the point of a rifle. Hilda joins her father in berating the intruders. A few days later Richard rescues Hilda from the violence of the half-breed and wins her gratitude and also the knowledge that she is a most adorable young lady, and proceeds to mentally compare her with the fashion plates of his country. The appearance of the surveying party causes the Burghers to hold a meeting at the trading post, and Richard plans to attend this meeting to plead his cause. Hontas learns of the proposed all night absence of Hilda's father and plans to seize this opportunity to carry her off, enlisting the help of several of Kruger's resentful blacks to accomplish his purpose. Richard proceeds alone upon his mission, but is beset by lions in the dense jungle and forced to return to camp and in doing so is obliged to pass through Kruger's land. Hilda hears the approach of the vengeful half-breed and his followers and makes a brave resistance, but outnumbered, she is surprised from behind by one of the crafty blacks. Richard arrives upon the scene in time to save the girl from her captors, whom he puts to flight. The cowardly half-breed, knowing that quick justice awaits him if caught, seeks the darkness of the jungle for safety. The lions which blocked Richard's path, have been driven from their haunts by hunger and have invaded the outskirts of the settlement, surprising Hontas in his flight. A short pursuit, a vain struggle and Hilda was avenged by lions.
- Expert photographer Paul Grainy receives an assignment from a society of Natural History to go to Africa to gather specimens and photographs of the beasts of the jungle. He is accompanied by his wife, Margaret, and Thelma, their daughter, and Al Morse, his chemist. Arriving at their destination they make camp at the edge of the jungle. A band of natives have established a settlement on the other side of the jungle near a stream. Among the number is the water-carrier, the drudge of the tribe, whose only friend is Ena, a big elephant. Because of his love for the beast, the carrier arouses the enmity of the Chief and he is ordered thrashed. Ena comes to the rescue of the defenseless man. Paul engages guides and starts off into the jungle. He leaves his wife and child behind in the care of Al, his chemist. Al is satisfied with the manner in which events have turned out, for alone with the young wife, his cherished opportunity for love scenes with the little woman has come. The following day the chemist accidentally cuts his finger. He succeeds in arousing the sympathy of the wife, who volunteers to bandage the wound. The two enter the living tent and as Margaret binds the injured finger, Al embraces her. While she struggles with him Thelma is heard outside the tent. Al departs, leaving the wife in fear. Paul, in the thick of the jungle, is successful in his photographic work and with all of his plates and film exhausted he starts for the camp. He is greeted by his wife and baby but notices a change in Margaret. He questions her, but she fears to tell him the truth. The following day Paul and his party start out again. Some hours after the party has departed, Thelma wanders away from the camp and when nightfall comes she has not returned. Margaret is frantic, and she appeals to Al to help her find her child. With Thelma out of the way, the chemist believes he can gain his end, and Margaret's wishes fall on deaf ears. Paul comes in contact with the leopards and lions and the guides telling him that they are close to a nest of the beasts, he rigs up his flashlight apparatus, spreading out wires which cause an explosion when coming in contact with anything. Thelma has wandered into the jungle. Soon she hears the howling of a lion and she runs down a steep embankment, spraining her ankle. She crawls along. The lion is in pursuit. Thelma reaches a water hole where, not far away, Ena, the elephant, is waiting for the water-carrier. The youngster's screams are heard by Ena and the big beast answers the call. Ena picks Thelma up in her trunk and carries her to safety. The child and beast are found by the water-carrier and guided back to the natives' camp. A runner comes to the Grainy camp with plates which have been used and Al receives them. Margaret writes a letter to her husband and tells him of the disappearance of Thelma. The letter is delivered by the runner. Al develops the plates and is astonished when he comes across one showing Thelma and the elephant. He goes to Margaret and displays the plate and tells her that she is probably in the jungle with her father. With no one about, the chemist makes efforts to cause Margaret to be unfaithful to her husband with the result that the wife faints. When Margaret regains herself he proposes that they start out to find the party in the jungle. Margaret agrees. Paul receives his wife's letter and orders a hurried trip back to the camp. While riding fast he is thrown from his horse and forced to discontinue. The party is close to the native village and Paul is taken there and cared for. There he meets his daughter. While Al and Margaret are driving in the jungle, the chemist suddenly forces his obnoxious attentions upon her. She manages to get away, and providentially she walks into the native camp where she meets her husband and tells him of her predicament. Al, believing that Margaret is near, accidentally approaches the camp, Margaret sees him and informs her husband, who thrashes him. As he is backing away he fires at Paul. The bullet misses its mark. The chemist runs into Ena, who happens to be standing at the back of him. The beast throws the chemist upon the ground and crushes his brains out with his foot.
- Daniel Blake, with his mother, lived from early childhood with his wealthy uncle, his mother's brother, and naturally supposed that he was to be the heir in spite of the fact that the old man had a ward who was the daughter of a dead friend. Daniel had been strengthened in the supposition by his mother and when the old man lay dying and made his will, Mrs. Blake was dumbfounded and near crazed to find that the money was to left to charity. Denouncing the old man for his deception and arguing in favor of her son she was ordered from the room. The old man repented the next day and in a spirit of maliciousness wrote a new will but hid it in a most unusual place. After his death when the will was read by the lawyer, it turned out to be a forged one, as it was dated three days after the old man's death. The lawyer at once jumped to the conclusion that the mother had substituted a will for the original, leaving the money to her son. He accuses her and she pleads for her son's sake to let it stand as it is. The lawyer gives her one hour to return the stolen will and he will say nothing about the deception and crime, but if she refuses he will call in the police. After deliberation, she refuses to give up the original will and defies the lawyer. Her son, overhearing the accusation and defiance, makes his presence known and in a fit of indignation against her, he denounces his mother, even though what she did was for his sake. Severely admonished by the lawyer, the boy soon realizes that her sacrifice of honor was her undoing and in a burst of love he forgives her and offers to build a home for her away from the scene of sorrow. The hidden will is discovered and all ends happily.
- Jack, Ada, Tietze, Nina, the old Hag, and Andrea, estranged from the Stanley party, and having escaped the Slave Traders, into whose hands they were thrown by the treachery of Andrea, proceed through the jungles. Ada forgives the White King, but Jack shows his contempt for him by making him burden bearer. Andrea sulks and indicates that he will await his chance to get even by stealing the party's supplies and carrying away Ada. They pass on while Stanley prepares to take up the march in search of them. As they wander through the jungle a great leopard, hanging from the limb of a tree, drops down upon Ada. Her screams attract Jack and Tietze, and after a fight they spear it. Further ahead in the jungle is the village of the Bungangetas, who are called Voo Doo worshipers. They set up for their king a horrible idol and offer it young native girls as sacrifices. The party is ambushed by scouts of the Voo Doo worshipers and taken before the shrine. Andrea alone escapes by hiding in the bushes. The Witch Doctor, of the Voo Doos, decrees that Ada shall be the sacrifice to their god. She is placed upon the sacrificial stone and preparations for the rites begun. In the meantime Stanley, Batty and their party hurry through the jungles. They meet the Voo Doo Worshippers, but being outnumbered, they lose the fight which follows, and retreat to await more favorable time for action. In the skirmish Batty, who has been riding his elephant, falls into a pit set by the Voo Doos to trap animals. Discovering his predicament, the witch doctor, in high glee at the sport of the venture, drops a lion into the pit. Being unarmed, Batty is compelled to meet the lion with his bare hands. After a furious battle Batty conquers the lion, to the astonishment of the natives, who carry Batty back to camp as an extra fine sacrifice to their idol. While the witch doctor has been gone Andrea, seeing his opportunity to avenge the fancied wrongs of Jack, blackens his body with berry juice and, posing as one of the natives, slips into the hollow idol, usurping the place of the witch doctor, who, upon his return, is deposed. Andrea, as the witch doctor, orders the death of Jack and Batty. The preliminary ceremony lasts long into the night, and at last natives and captives fall asleep. Andrea then silently releases Ada and takes her with him into the jungles. At dawn Nina, who has been taken to a hut, slips, unobserved, to the stakes where Jack and Batty are chained and cuts their bonds. They immediately start a search for Ada and Andrea but discover they have gone. Enraged at Andrea's perfidy, Jack and Batty prepare to go into the jungles after the White King, but before they have advanced any material distance the deposed Witch Doctor discovers their departure, and rousing the natives, sets out and recaptures them. Jack and Batty are again chained to stakes and the sacrificial fires lighted when Stanley and his followers, mounted on Elephants, and leading Ada's pony, attack the camp. The horse dashes into the camp, kicks the embers away from about Jack's and Batty's feet, grabs a native by the breechclout, shakes him, while an elephant twists his trunk about the Witch Doctor, dashes his head against a tree and tosses the body over his back. The natives are scattered, Stanley, Jack, Nina and the hag are restored to the party, while Andrea drags Ada through the jungle and gloats over her misery.
- Vida, the daughter of a Boer innkeeper, is a siren and plays havoc with the hearts of the diamond miners and other who frequent her father's tavern. She has scorned the advances of Tom Long; heartbroken, he kills himself. His partner, John Cameron, a trapper of wild animals, is returning to the camp with his catch. Vida is warned not to tamper with him, as he has a rather bad record, having killed several men. This information but inflames her coquettish heart, and when John Cameron, furious at learning of the death of his friend, comes to the inn to berate her, she immediately practices her wiles to capture him. Cameron resists her fascination successfully for some time, but soon is a slave to her wiles. He soon admits himself conquered, but warns her at the risk of her life not to trifle with him. Vida is mastered for the first time as Cameron has made her fear him. Jim comes to the camp and Vida's fickle heart is finally awakened, and she finds herself in love. She persuades Jim to take her far away from her present surroundings, fearing that Cameron will kill her on his return from the hunt, finding her faithless to him. Jim Langdon takes her through the forest to a distant jungle. Here they live happily for three years, Vida becoming a noble woman devoted to her husband and her little child. Cameron on finding Vida gone, allows every vicious instinct to dominate him and swears vengeance, but through the years that pass, his search for her has been unsuccessful. When on a trapping expedition in the interior, he encounters Vida's daughter, who has wandered from the house, and by a well-directed shot saves the child from an onrushing lion. Returning through the forest with the child, he meets Vida's husband frantically searching for his baby. Not knowing Jim and returning to the cabin with him, he sees through the window of the cabin Vida, praying at her child's empty crib. The old hatred is still in his heart and slowly he raises his rifle intent on carrying out his vow, but at this moment Vida takes the baby from her husband's arms and it forms a shield for her heart. When Jim and Vida leave the cabin to find and thank the savior of their baby, he is gone, and Vida never knows that her nemesis has passed.
- John Melbourne has carved out a fortune in South Africa. At the time the story opens he can look proudly over his magnificent ranch and estate and feel that he has toiled unremittingly to success. He hastens to write to the girl he left behind, as now he feels his fortune is sufficient to give her all that she deserves as a daughter of wealth and a society butterfly. He fails to consider that she'll need to live on the veldt, which he has grown to love, and that she might consider it a hardship. Margaret believes that she loves him enough to go to Africa and marry him and be happy. Her society friends who know her temperament laugh at the idea, especially Tom Dixon, a society parasite who is in love with her. Margaret finds the terrors of the jungle and the loneliness of the veldt maddening; it causes a breach between her and her husband, especially as he must give his whole attention to his land and cattle, a scourge attacking the latter. Meanwhile, Tom finds it necessary to adjust his resources and, thinking of the woman he loves, decides to go to Africa as a good field, as it will bring him in touch with her and there are as many chances for wealth there as any other place. The psychological moment is at hand for him to have influence over Margaret, coming as he does from her sphere. John also welcomes him into his home, hoping he will soothe Margaret's loneliness. In the meantime, Bill Harrison, a neighbor of Melbourne's, has discovered diamonds found on John's land and together with a band of crooks plans to change the boundary line between them. Tom Dixon is adding to the discontent of Margaret in subtle ways, but he is desperate on account of the state of his finances. Meanwhile Harrison and his band succeed in stealing considerable of Melbourne's diamonds and they make for the jungle to hide the stuff. Melbourne is called away to town on important business and in his absence Dixon approaches Margaret with a plan to elope. She hesitates and finds that she has a greater love for her husband and sees the folly of her actions with Dixon. This angers Tom and he finally abducts her when she is unconscious. The faithful Kaffir sees what is going on and hastens to find his master. As Dixon is guiding his victim through the jungle they come across the crooks who are headed by Harrison and are burying the stolen diamonds. The posse in search of the crooked gang come in on the scene and Tom, to save himself, opens fire on them with the result that he is shot from his mount and killed. The shooting attracts John and the Kaffir and they hurry to the scene. The dishonest neighbor, who has been the man higher up, is exposed. Margaret realizes her folly and truthfully promises John, "Your home shall be my home."
- The widow Millburn lived with her only child, a lad of twelve in her little home down the country lane. The boy was her pride and also only hope of her old age for she looked with great longing to the time when he shall have reached the age when he could contribute to her support, and when he fell suddenly ill late one night she was almost distracted and imagined him dying. The only doctor the neighborhood possessed lived fully four miles away. The distraught mother was torn between fear of leaving her boy alone and the horror of his dying and she powerless to help him. She determined to go, and hastily throwing a shawl about her shoulders, she ran down the road. When about two miles from home and nearly exhausted the poor woman was held up by a highwayman. Her pleadings were powerful enough to touch the heart of the bandit and he sent the mother back to her child and ran for the doctor himself. He refused an invitation of the doctor to ride with him and unknown followed on foot behind the buggy to learn the fate of the boy. The doctor found the boy's illness only a slight one and after reassuring the mother he started home. As he was about to step into his buggy he was stopped by the bandit who questioned him about the case and after the doctor had driven off he made a solemn resolution to henceforth lead a better life.
- Dr. Archibald Mannering, the famous botanist, is wrecked on the West African coast with his little daughter. They are captured by cannibals and taken to the Hidden City. The doctor is saved from the cannibal feast by curing the King of violent stomach trouble. Years pass, doctor and the King die. Nina becomes white mascot of the tribe. The New York Herald sends H.M. Stanley to Africa to find the Hidden City. Stanley takes with him two young reporters, Jack Wilson and Tom Dixon. Jack is engaged to wealthy Ada Pyne. She resents his going and breaks the engagement. Back in the Hidden City, where the former lion tamer is now King, Nina has grown to be a beautiful young woman. The King makes love to her. The Queen is jealous. Stanley lands. On the march Jack and Tom become separated from the party. They fall in with two Arab traders who kill each other in a knife duel. Their Hindoo guide makes friends with the boys. They enter the Hidden City on the traders' elephants. Stanley marches on. The queen decides to escape with Nina, having fallen in love with Jack. Tom falls in love with Nina. The King orders the boys beheaded but the Queen arranges a getaway in canoes. The King and attendants pursue. The Queen is killed in the mixup, while the rest escape and reach the coast where they are picked up by an English liner. Stanley occupies the Hidden City after a stirring fight.
- Bad feeling is engendered between William Burnes and John Carter, both employed in the same office, when the latter takes Burnes to task for making improper proposals to his wife while she visited his office. Secretly Burnes appropriates the funds of the firm for his private use. One night after a session in his favorite gambling den, where he loses all his money, he resolves to visit the office and replenish his supply. The janitor for the firm is a hard but secret drinker. On this particular evening he has fallen to the floor in a stupor, from which he is just recovering in time to see Burnes rifling the cash box. With the idea of holding up Burnes and forcing him to divide he creeps toward the thieving clerk. Burnes springs at the janitor and in the fight which follows is struck and killed by a blow with a heavy ruler, wielded by the janitor. During the struggle he smears his fingers with ink from an overturned bottle. Unwittingly he leaves his finger imprint on the ruler which is tossed away and falls behind a letter file. Remembering the quarrel between Carter and Burnes the janitor decides to divert suspicion upon the former. Taking a pair of black muslin sleeve protectors from Carter's desk he tears them into shreds and places them in the fingers of the dead man. The next morning the clerks discover Burnes' body. J.B. Prescott, the head of the firm, is called, and he summons the janitor, thinking that he may be able to shed some light on the crime of the night before. The janitor points to Carter's mutilated sleeve protectors in the dead man's hand and directs suspicion upon Carter. The police arrive and take Carter to jail. At the trial which follows Carter's alibi is so strong that he is acquitted. Prescott, however, refuses to reinstate Carter in his old position and he wanders from place to place vainly endeavoring to obtain employment. At last, moved by desperation, he drops in at an amusement park and begs the animal trainers in charge of the caged beasts in the "Zoo" to allow him to work. One of the trainers has just quit because he was expected to clean the cage of a ferocious lion and the man in charge offers Carter this vacant place. Carter accepts it, and goes into the cage. Suddenly the lion springs upon Carter, whose shrieks bring the other men. They manage to drag the brute off, but Carter is wounded. In the meantime, while Carter has been searching for work, his wife feels that some clue is to be found in the building and applies for the position of scrub-woman. The janitor gives her the job. During the course of her work, she discovers the ruler which has been tossed behind the file. She finds not only the blood and the hair of Burnes upon it, but the fingerprints of the janitor as well. The janitor comes in with his whiskey bottle and attempts to force her to drink. Anxious to get a sample of his fingerprint she pretends to accept, takes the bottle from him and finds it covered with greasy finger marks. By a ruse she eludes him long enough to send a 'phone call for the police and for the head of the firm and when they arrive they find the maudlin janitor just on the point of forcing the brave woman to pay the greatest price for her temerity. The evidence is so conclusive that the drunkard breaks down and confesses. This completely vindicates Carter.
- Bruce Lloyd was in the seventh heaven, for not only had he won Clare Sutton's consent to an early marriage, but her father's approval and hearty congratulations. But be had forgotten the ambitious and commanding Mrs. Sutton, who no sooner learned of her daughter's engagement, than she announced that Sir Percival Bonehead had been selected as a docile and more suitable son-in-law. Fate, however, was for once against the energetic lady, for scarcely had she ordered the rebellious Clare to her room and followed to sing the Earl's praises, than Harry Way and Joe Howard dropped in on their way to the club, where they were preparing for the masquerade. Howard had on his bear's suit, and this gave Sutton and Lloyd an idea; they would send a letter to Sir Percival saying that he must join their lodge, the Royal Gazabos, if he wished to marry Clare, and what they would do to him. The Earl, being determined that nothing should prevent him from winning the Sutton millions, duly arrived to be initiated into their secret order. Way, with Howard in devil's costume, blindfolded his Lordship, and taking him to the top of the house, quietly dropped him through the chimney, and as he landed in the fireplace below, Sutton and Lloyd, in bears' costumes, pounced upon him and succeeded in tearing off every shred of the Earl's outer garments. In this ridiculous predicament, he managed to dart out of the door, and seeing a blanket on a horse nearby, snatched it and ran panting down the street. The owner of the blanket gave chase. Thus attired, with an officer and a mob at his heels. Sir Percival ran straight into the arms of Mrs. Sutton, who, Clare had seen to it, was ready to appear the moment her father and lover sent word. One glance at his Lordship and the scandalized lady fainted in the arms of her delighted husband. Clare and Lloyd fled to the minister, and Sir Percival, a sadder, and let us hope, wiser man, was led away by the officer.
- A Breton fishing settlement on the French West African coast was the place selected by John Hilliard to find inspiration for his brush. He and his wife had just arrived when his artistic eye fell upon the beauty of Nannette, a pert little miss of the colony. Nannette was the village coquette, aware of her maidenly charms and led Jacques, who was madly in love with her, a miserable existence by her many flirtations. She really and sincerely returned Jacques' affection, but delighted in teasing him and seeing his outbursts of jealousy. The artist offered to pay her handsomely if she would consent to become his model, but fearing the effect it would have upon her lover, she refused and told her mother the circumstances. This thrifty dame saw a source of income escaping her hands and promptly ordered her daughter to accept the work. Hilliard spent more time than necessary in the company of his model which caused gossip among the villagers. As the weeks lengthened into months, Hilliard not only gave little time to his wife, but became almost brutal when she remonstrated with him, while Nannette, forced to continue her employment by the greed of her mother, went about with a heavy heart, shunned by her friends and neglected by her young lover. Hilliard surprised Nannette in such a mood one day and thinking to cheer her up, suggested that they seek the forest for a background for his canvas. On their way to the forest they were intercepted by old Gaspard who warned Hilliard not to go into the jungle unarmed, relating how his brother had forfeited his life thru the self-same foolhardiness. Unfamiliar with the danger from the proximity of wild beasts, Hilliard disregarded Gaston's warning and with Nannette proceeded on his way and in selecting a suitable spot for his picture they entered the forest further than was safe. That morning, Hilliard had been cruel to his wife and when she witnessed his departure to the forest and his loverlike attitude to his model, the broken-hearted woman decided to end matters by seeking peace in the sea. When at sunset, the fishing fleet returned, the village gossip lost no time in reporting Nannette's absence to Jacques and further inflamed his jealousy by suggesting that the trip to the forest was to screen Hilliard's lovemaking from prying eyes. Wild with rage, Jacques lost no time in securing his rifle determined to have the life of the man who had stolen his promised wife. Nannette had not spent a pleasant day; her thoughts were of Jacques away at sea and her mother's anger if she disobeyed. To make her discomfort the greater Hilliard attempted to force his attentions upon her, which resulted in his receiving a piece of her mind. As dusk came on, the jungle inhabitants approached nearer the settlement to prey upon the flocks of the villagers, which was the cause of Hilliard and Nannette encountering several lions on a foraging expedition. Hilliard made a noble fight with only his easel as a weapon, while the frightened girl fled, pursued by a savage beast not to be denied his prey, and only foiled by the accurate aim of Jacques, who was seeking a different victim for his weapon. The artist, now in mortal hand-to-hand combat with his lion, was rapidly giving way in the unequal battle and Nannette was unable to induce her vengeful lover to go to Hilliard's assistance, seized the rifle from Jacques' hand and dispatched the lion who now had the artist on the ground. They bore the badly lacerated man to his cottage and there left him while they went to seek a doctor. Hilliard's punishment was to be more complete. Calling for the wife he had driven insane with grief, he received no answer and eventually found the brief note she had left stating her purpose. The village gossip had seen the unhappy woman enter a small boat and drift out to sea. All night long the fisherfolk searched, while the husband stood upon the beach, a dazed and broken man. When day broke, he was led to meet the returning searchers, fully expecting to receive the lifeless body of his wife, but fate was kind; they had found her in time and John Hilliard had been taught his lesson.
- Margaret Gilbert, a student at a seminary, is more devoted to love-story novels and clandestine meetings with Al Drake than to her studies. Her many capers at school bring protests from the president of the institute and the climax comes when Margaret is caught in the act of eloping with Al and expelled from school. Her older sister Nan is devoted to their father and engaged to William Clifton. Nan exerts herself greatly to develop the good in her sister, having taken the place of her mother who passed away when Margaret was little. Al is the son of a millionaire lawyer. His father's will is that the youth follow the same course in life as he and he showers his boy with every luxury, including unlimited finances and a racing automobile. His father's profession does not appeal to him and Al neglects the study of law, spending his time perfecting a new automobile device, it being his desire to pursue a mechanical career. The youth's habits become known to the father, who informs the youth that his income has been stopped until such time as he proposes to resume the study of law. Disregarding his father's wish, Al starts out to find employment for himself and applies for a position as a chauffeur. He is engaged by William Clifton. William arranges a weekend visit at the home of Nan, his fiancée, and is driven there by Al. It is then that Al sees Margaret again and they are later detected in a love scene by William and Nan. William discharges Al on the spot and the older sister rebukes Margaret for her conduct. William and Nan notice the change in Margaret and wonder at her brooding. William tries to console Margaret, who informs her prospective brother-in-law that she is the wife of Al and that it was a romance of several weeks previous. With pity for the girl, William folds her in his arms, assuring her that he will rectify matters. At this point Nan approaches the couple, and she gathers the impression that William and her younger sister are having a love scene. William's protests fall on deaf ears, but with a mission to perform he goes off satisfied that time will adjust matters. William goes to the city and seeks Al. He hears Al's story of having been cut off financially by his father and decides to go to the father and attempt to bring about a reconciliation. This proves unsuccessful. William is not defeated, however, for he telegraphs Margaret to come to the city at once, it being his plan to bring the girl face to face with her father-in-law. Margaret leaves her home rather mysteriously and later Nan finds the telegram from William, She is heartbroken and tells her father, who urges her to forget. Margaret goes to Al's father, and after much coaxing he finally accepts the girl as his daughter-in-law, forgives his son and there is a happy reunion. Margaret telegraphs her sister that she is coming home with her husband and asks forgiveness. When Nan reads the message she is horror-stricken, believing that William and Margaret have been married. Al and Margaret, with William and the millionaire, arrive at the Gilbert home. They are received by the father, who is wrought up over the whole affair until the correct circumstances are revealed and then he readily forgives. Nan has not made her appearance and she is sought by Margaret. With bowed head the older sister clasps hands with Al, feeling all the time that it is William. She finally raises her head and recognizes Al and realizes the folly of her thoughts. Asking forgiveness of her sister and William, Nan falls into William's embrace.
- John David, a spender, promises marriage to the Worldly Woman. He suggests by letter that their engagement be announced at a big dinner he will give. The Worldly Woman is also admired by the Libertine, who calls at the Worldly Woman's apartment and is admitted by a Japanese butler whom he abuses, arousing a hatred which the Jap keeps well under control. The Libertine attempts to make love the Worldly Woman but she holds him off by flaunting David's offer of marriage in his face. When she leaves the room the libertine turns his attentions to a Japanese maid, the wife of Yamato, the Jap butler. His attempt to caress her frightens her and she screams, bringing Yamato into the room and between the two struggling people. The Libertine slaps Yamato across the face for what he terms insolence. The little Jap bows his way out but with suppressed anger in His heart. The night of the big dinner arrives and John announces his coming marriage. One of the suddenly discovers that there are but thirteen people at the table, and John leaves the party to go out and find the fourteenth. He chances to meet the Wanderer, an individual he once knew but who he does not recognize. John meets a pretty girl and grabs her by the arm and begs her to join his party. The Wanderer makes John let her go. John is furious but the soothing words of reproach of the Wanderer change his mind, whereupon he smilingly admits his wrong, gives him his hand and takes him to the banquet room. The newcomer is greeted with hilarity and is called upon to speak. After a toast he turns to John and quietly but forcibly berates him for his waste. He describes how this waste would give life to starving families and as he finishes a butler enters with a telegram which reads: "Cut expenses immediately. Your entire fortune swept away. Letter explains." The guests leave, and John is left alone with the Wanderer, and he asks the Wanderer's identity. The Wanderer answers: "I am your conscience." Thereafter the Wanderer is called Conscience. John and Conscience go to the home of the Worldly Woman, Conscience remaining at the door. John discovers her in the arms of the Libertine. She says that the Libertine is now her accepted lover. John attacks the Libertine and flinging him over a couch attempts to throttle him. From under the draperies of the couch a brown hand steals. It clutches a long needle which it plunges into the neck of the Libertine. The head of the Libertine falls back dead. John thinks he has strangled his adversary. He and Conscience leave for the west. Days pass. On the train he reads in a newspaper that evidence points to the Woman's guilt and that she has been indicted for murder. The presence of Conscience torments him and to escape he leaps from the train and boards a freight train going in the same direction. Conscience follows, however. They take refuge in an open coal car where they are held up by two tramps and forced to exchange their clothing and to give up their valuables. The town of Laurel Run is in the throes of excitement, a string of horses belonging to the sheriff having been stolen. The unknown criminal is the Gambler and he has sold the horse to two Mexicans. One of the horses, a pony, and the Sheriff's favorite mount, escapes the Mexicans and wanders into an open plain. John and Conscience, discovered by the train crew, are thrown from the car and wandering along come upon the pony. John mounts it and with Conscience at his side, goes to Laurel Run. The sight of two vagabonds entering the town, one of them riding the Sheriff's pony, is positive proof to the villagers that the strangers are the thieves; that is, all except the Sheriff's daughter, the postmistress of the village. Instinctively she feels they are innocent. The Gambler proclaims that they be punished, and incites a mob to wreak its vengeance. The Girl steps in, however, and at the point of a gun stays them off, pending the return of her father, who, with a posse, has gone after the thieves. Meanwhile the Sheriff returns with the stolen horses and the crowd's temper changing, it disperses. In time John becomes a popular citizen. He has fallen in love with the Girl, much to the chagrin of the Gambler. Through the Girl's efforts John gets a place as a rural free delivery letter carrier. Meanwhile the Gambler's antipathy for John has increased, and he attempts to find a way to discount him in the eyes of the Girl. One day he spies John intently reading a newspaper which carries a story to the effect that the Woman had been acquitted in the Libertine murder case and that a search has been instituted for John David, whom she has accused. John hurries away leaving the paper lying on the ground. The Gambler picks it up and divines through the story the cause of John's agitation, wires the New York police department of John's whereabouts. John proposes marriage to the Girl and is accepted. Some days elapse when a long legal-looking envelope addressed to the Sheriff arrives. John discovers it as he sorts the mail. Fearing the worst, he succumbs to temptation, opens it and finds an announcement of a reward for his capture. Resolving to keep his secret he places the envelope in his pocket. Later a stranger arrived in the city. His mission was unknown, though he posed as an automobile salesman. The Gambler, still alert for evidence, shadows John and one evening finds him alone in his cabin gazing meditatively at the reward sheet and the photo of the Girl laying on the table before him. The Gambler enters and at the point of a gun obtains the sheet. A fight follows, a lamp is knocked down, the house is set into flames and John, after overcoming the Gambler, escapes just before the house collapses. The next day John and the Girl are to be married. The Stranger enters the post-office, obtains his mail from John and leaves. At noon the wedding ceremony is held. In the midst of it John suddenly draws back in horror and shouts that the marriage cannot continue, that he is a murderer. At this point the Stranger introduces himself to the Sheriff as a detective, and taking from his pocket a letter from his chief reads an announcement of John's innocence; that the Libertine was killed by Yamato, who confesses on his death bed. So the Conscience of John David was satisfied and glorified. John turns to go out but the Girl holds out her arms to him and the Sheriff clasps his hand and gently moves him into the arms of the Girl.
- Wealthy Cape Town merchant John Wright has purchased a large sea-going gasoline yacht and has made preparations for an extensive cruise with his family, which consists of his wife Margaret and their young daughter Louise. As they're cruising along the coast, the supply pipe from the gasoline tanks to the motors springs a leak, an accident which is discovered only when live coals ignite the inflammable fluid. The entire vessel is soon ablaze and the panic-stricken crew appropriate the boats, gaining possession of them after they have killed the captain and disabled the owner. John manages to get a hatch overboard upon which he entrusts his wife and child, while he manages to get away from the burning vessel upon a light spar. He reaches the frail hatch upon which his family climb, only to find that it will not sustain his added weight. He tries to keep near his loved ones, but wind and tide intervene and the castaways drift apart as night comes on. Morning dawns and the frenzied man searches the sea for sight of his dear ones, only to see the smoke of an approaching steamer on the horizon. He is rescued and the captain institutes a search for the missing wife and daughter, but to no avail. The occupants of the little raft, unconscious from exposure and exhaustion, are cast upon the coast of South Africa. Here they are found by a semi-civilized tribe of Blacks and taken to their village in the interior. The tribe look upon Margaret as an omen of good fortune sent them by their gods and treat her with deference and consideration until an unfortunate incident occurs. Waji, a venerable member of the tribe, is stricken with an unknown illness, and in accordance with a tribal law, he is driven away from the village. The unfortunate old Black has been very kind to Margaret and little Louise. The mother intervenes in his behalf and puts her arms about the fellow to protect him from further abuse. This act is considered by the tribe to mark Margaret as a victim of the same illness, but to their superstitious minds, they cannot offend the gods by driving her out, so they desert the village in a body. Waji's illness is but slight and he soon recovers, and the three outcasts of the jungle live alone in the deserted village. One night, in a somnambulistic state, Margaret calls to her husband to come to her. Through the long months Wright has been haunted with the feeling that his wife and child still live. He hears the cry from the soul of Margaret and next day starts an expedition to search for her. While the tribe occupied the village it was protected from the lions which infested the surrounding forests by the hunters of the tribe, but since the village has been deserted, the wild beasts have become bolder and old Waji is fearful of the safety of his charges. He finally determines to solicit the tribe to return now that he is well, and sets off on his mission, cautioning Margaret to exercise great care. John and his expedition land upon the coast near where the wreck had occurred, rightly reasoning that had his loved ones been cast up on the shore they might have been succored by the natives. After many false clues they come upon a member of the tribe who rescued Margaret and who identifies the castaways from a photo shown him. The party hastens to the new village where Waji has arrived to make his plea. Meanwhile Margaret has spent a night of terror, for lions were hovering near her bamboo hut. When morning came the lions grew bolder and more determined. Margaret, with little Louise clasped in her arms, expecting every moment to be her last, hears the sound of firing and the rush of many feet, and then she knows Waji has managed to bring help. When they bring her forth and she sees her beloved, she thinks it but the dream of death, and when she is taken into his arms and feels the pressure of his trembling embrace, she realizes that little Louise and her mother are no longer Jungle Outcasts.
- Steve Martin, a sheep-herder, has been living happily in the love of his daughter, Beulah, when a shadow of his past looms up before him. Years before he had become involved in a counterfeiting scheme with Tom Walsh, who remained to expiate the crime, Steve escaping. Walsh, who alone shares Steve's secret, is now a nefarious character engaged in rounding up sheep which he steals and drives over the government lines. When he finds that he is in Steve's neighborhood his mind reverts to their common past. Cunning and revenge combined prompts him to go to Steve's house and by menacing him with the past makes him a tool in his criminal undertaking. Steve, to shield his daughter, weakly consents. In the meantime, Jim Thorne, a government ranger, in love with Beulah, senses something wrong and instructs his assistant to be on the lookout, promising to meet him at a certain time. Steve and Tom are rounding up sheep when the assistant appears. Tom kills the assistant, and Steve also fires but believes it was his shot that went true. The dying man manages to slash Tom on the arm in the death struggle. The assailants escape. Jim, according to arrangements, arrives at the spot and finds his dying comrade, who tells him that he has slashed his murderer on the arm and to look for him. He then dies and Jim, putting the body on his horse, takes him to Steve's house. A frightful storm comes up and Tom decides to take refuge in Steve's house. Looking through the window he sees Jim examining the arm of Steve and then knows that he is a marked man. The next day, overheard by Beulah, he threatens Steve and also the life of Jim. He has conceived a cunning revenge for the ranger. From the cave of a puma he takes several cubs to Jim's cabin knowing that the mother will follow. In the meantime Beulah goes to warn Jim of the criminal's design. Jim laughs at her fears but is on his guard when he happens to meet Tom. He is quicker with the gun than Tom, however. He fires and fearing that he has killed him Jim carries the unconscious form to his cabin and places it upon a couch under which the puma cubs are lying. He goes to a stream to get water to revive him, but while absent the revenge Tom so cunningly planned proves a boomerang, for the puma enters and finding Tom helpless draws his life. Beulah has heard the shots exchanged and she and her father, coming to the cabin, finds the two terrors of the fold have passed and the slash on the arm proves that the murderer of the ranger has been found.
- Dick Benton divides his existence between his young wife and his work. Tom Drake, a gambler, starts a flirtation with the young wife, who is spending a few days at the seashore. During their numerous clandestine meetings he fascinates her and at last pleading his love she falls an easy victim. He receives a letter from a pal in a small town out west who speaks glowingly of the ease with which a clever gambler can reap a harvest from the chance-loving townspeople, and urges Tom to consider the proposition. He decides to leave and persuades the wife to go with him. On the first anniversary of his wedding, Dick prepares a surprise for his wife. As he departs for his work that day be presents her with a beautiful bracelet and a personal bank account of twenty-five hundred dollars. Returning to his home that evening with more tokens of affection, Dick is stunned to find that his wife has gone. Dick renounces all women and giving up his substantial business and his home he goes west to spend the rest of his life in seclusion. Tom and the woman arrive in a western town and he establishes a cheap saloon and gambling resort. As time passes, Tom's sham love displays itself and the woman is subjected to ill-treatment. Jim Morris, a youthful tenderfoot, who has come west to make a fortune, becomes tangled up in the roulette wheel run by the gambler's mistress and urged on by his losses in an effort to win back his squanderings, he soon finds himself falling in love with the woman. Dick has a prosperous mine which he works alone. Returning from his mine one evening he sees his dog almost at the mercy of a wild puma. Dick fires at the animal but misses, however, saving his dog's life. Knowing that the dog is unable to guard the chicken coops from the beasts, Dick builds a trap. Jim has lost all of his money and he decides to start out fresh again. He is wandering through the hills when he is attracted by Dick's house. In making his way to the place, Jim steps in the trap and plunges below. His moaning brings Dick to the scene and he is rescued. His ankle sprained, Dick befriends him and nurses him back to health and induces the youth to remain and help work the mine. Jim goes to the village frequently for provisions but each time he is lured to the gambling resort when he thinks of the girl at the wheel. At last he asks her to elope with him. The woman accepts the youth's proposition and slips away to join him at Dick's cabin. Tom, discovering that his mistress has fled, directs his suspicion toward Jim, and he starts off for the cabin. While riding his horse at terrific speed down an embankment he is thrown from the saddle and hurled headlong to the bottom. Stunned and lame, he remounts, determined to have revenge on the woman. The woman arrives at the cabin and there is confronted by Dick. The sight of her causes Dick to become enraged and in a temper he attempts to strangle her, her fate being saved by the screams of a man outside the house. Tom reaches the cabin only to become a victim of the trap set for the beasts and in his downward plunge his neck is broken and skull fractured. Jim and Dick hurry to help the victim, but when his body is dragged from the trap it is lifeless. The sight of Tom's face brings a scream from the woman which reveals the fact that he is the one who lured her from her husband. Feeling that his wife has been punished for her wrongdoing but not inclined to forgive her and take her back, Dick rides with her to the stage station where he gives her money enough to take her to her home. He then returns to live the life of a hermit and to help the youth attain the end which brought him to the west.
- Crossing the veldt in Africa, "ticket of leave" man Dick Caulder comes across a prairie wagon and sees a lion about to enter. He kills the lion and finds within a dead woman and a little girl of about seven years, crying beside her. Taking the child, he finds her father further on, lying dead. He had been on his way to a doctor for his wife when he encountered a lion. Dick Caulder takes the child to a lonely cabin. Being a criminal of long career, he pursues his dark ways. He takes as partner another evil fellow by the name of Tom. The girl grows up in a dark and menacing atmosphere. The two men are diamond '"fences," getting the diamonds from a kaffir and passing them to smugglers. Sid Rolfe is sent from a London office to discover the source of leakage. It is a month before he finds any duo. He then discovers Caulder in a low saloon, and comparing him to an old photograph taken from the Rogues' Gallery, he spots him as a desperate character. Following the men, he sees the meeting with the kaffir and calls the halt. They, shooting wildly, escape him, but he marks their vicinity and later is saved from a lion by Marta, who gets him to the cabin. He finds a hand-bill of reward and suspicions that he is in the den of thieves. He questions the girl, learns her story, and is persuaded by her to hide in the room above when she hears the men coming. They discover his presence, know he is the man that is after them, and trap him, inasmuch as he cannot come down without being attacked. After many ruses, he comes down and bravely enters a battle with them. In his encounter with the lion, his horse has escaped and returned to headquarters. Suspicion is aroused and a searching party sent for him. The party arrives at the crucial moment. Caulder is killed and Marta, the poor little victim, is freed at last from her dark surroundings. She goes into the sunlight with Sid.
- Andrea Jennessen, an explorer, is in love with Nadina Rolph. Pride prevents him from asking her hand, however, until he has won fame and fortune. Bannington Wells also covets the girl and just prior to the departure of Jennessen's expedition to find the North Pole he makes a pact with Mike Kerrigan, a sailor aboard the exploration ship, to prevent Jennessen's return alive. Jennessen sets sail. Weeks pass and the ship reaches the Arctic Circle. Kerrigan, to carry out his compact with Wells, stirs the sailors to mutiny, and Jennessen is thrown overboard. Instinctively he begins to swim as he strikes water and just as he is about exhausted he manages to reach an iceberg floating in the sea on which four polar bears make their home. The following morning Capt. Stephassen discovers the loss of the explorer and after a vain attempt to find him turns his ship homeward. Meanwhile the ice on which Jennessen has taken refuge floats with the current to an island, whore the explorer builds an igloo of moss and stone, and by catching fish is able to subsist. Kerrigan reports the loss of Jennessen to Wells, who breaks the news to Nadina. She refuses to believe it, however, having a premonition that her lover is alive. Wells attempts to dissuade her in this belief, but having little success he acquiesces to her request that a rescue expedition be organized on condition that if Jennessen is not found she will become his wife. To this condition she consents and the ship sails. After a tempestuous voyage the ship arrives the barren island upon which Jennessen is living. Wells and Kerrigan see the igloo in the distance and hurriedly call a council in which Wells plausibly suggests that the Captain and Nadina search the island in one direction while he and Kerrigan and the rest of the crew search it in the other direction. Nadina and the Captain fall into the trap and set forth in the wrong direction while Wells and Kerrigan hurry toward the hut. They find Andrea almost exhausted. They pounce upon him and a fight follows, the hears coming to the aid of the explorer just as Nadina and the Captain arrive. The bears are beaten off, Jennessen cared for and the two conspirators made prisoners. The return trip marks a happy reunion.
- Upon her deathbed Mrs. Sherwood entrusts her son Richard to the care of his older brother Darrell. Years pass and Darrell becomes the village preacher and Richard a lawyer. Darrell is a favorite of the community; Richard is a would-be daredevil and a modern swashbuckler. Clandestinely Richard has been meeting Molly Foster. One night while at his club gambling and drinking heavily, he receives a note from Molly asking him to see her at once. At the gate of her home Molly tells him her dread secret. Warning her to keep silence and making promises he leaves. The following Sunday, when the services at Darrell's church is over, Richard greets Faith Richardson. Faith shows an interest in Darrell, which Richard notes with disfavor. The brothers accompany Faith and her father Colonel Richardson, to their home. At the Foster home, Molly lies in bed with the newborn babe. Her father demands to know the name of the child's father, but Molly refuses to answer. He gives her the option of telling her secret or leaving home. She accepts the latter course and goes to live in a cottage on the edge of town provided by Darrell through Faith. Later at a meeting of the "Ladies' Aid Society" the cat element decides that Molly and her baby must leave town. Just as the Society, which has gone to Molly's abode with two constables, is denouncing her, Darrell, who has been apprised of their decision, arrives and in a fury of indignation he berates the committee soundly and they leave the room. Molly is taken very ill and realizing that her end is near, takes her child and makes her way to Darrell and Richard's home. She begs Richard to give her child a name, but he throws her off as Darrell enters; Molly confesses her secret to him. Darrell insists that Richard marry Molly at once and the ceremony begins, but Molly dies before it is finished. Richard steals from the room. Making his way to the Richardson home he leads Faith back to the window giving a view of Darrell's study. He is seen carrying Molly in his arms to the sofa. Richard points to the scene and swears to the truth of the situation the action implies. With Molly gone Darrell adopts the baby. Later Richard and Faith are married. Time passes. Richard grows tired of Faith and gambles heavily. He takes all of his brother's money, and heavily masked holds up Col. Richardson. He commits a number of robberies in the vicinity, and a vigilance committee is formed, headed by Col. Richardson. Hounded, Richard makes his way to the cottage wherein Molly lived. As he rushes into the darkened room he becomes conscious of the fact that he is not alone. He draws his pistol hut before he can use it the figure jumps upon him and unmasks him. Richard faces his brother, whose sorrows had driven him from his study that night. Richard pleads with Darrell to save him, and remembering his oath to his mother the latter assumes the guilt when the committee arrives. An impromptu court is held and Darrell is ordered to leave town the following morning. By morning Richard has not returned and fearing for his safety, Faith starts in search of him. Intuition leads her to Molly's cottage. In the center of the room she finds Richard dead. A scrap of paper beside him tells the story. In the meantime Darrell has started his weary way. Realizing the great wrong done him Faith hurries to her father with Richard's dying confession. Mounting his horse Col. Richardson starts after Darrell. At a fork in the road he overtakes him and there gently breaks the news of Richard's death and shows him the message. The Colonel grasps Darrell's hand and starts to lead him home.
- A cowboy challenges a magician to catch a bullet in his teeth. Things go awry and the cowboy winds up in jail.
- The opening scene shows Dick bidding his sweetheart Jane good-bye in front of her log cabin home. She playfully scolds him and waves good-bye as he leaves. Black Folsom and his hard-looking gang of cowboys ride on the scene and he attempts to flirt with Jane. She modestly withdraws into the cabin, while the cowboys ride on to the village tavern, where we see them enjoying themselves, and after leaving the saloon they go back to the log cabin, where Black Folsom goes in and finds Jane just putting on her hat, about to leave. He attempts to kiss her, which she resents by slapping him in the face, and he, in his rage, grabs her and rushes outside, where one of his mates binds her arms and lifts her up onto Folsom's horse, and they ride away. Dick returns, finds the cabin deserted, indications of a struggle, and horses' hoof marks outside, and follows on his horse. We then see the cowboys riding through the woods with Jane, and in this scene Folsom, in his half-drunken condition, lets Jane slip from his arms to the ground while galloping at full speed. He returns and picks her up without dismounting, and then proceeds. We then see Dick coming over the same ground in pursuit, and the next scene shows Folsom and his gang in camp, with Jane bound and lying on the ground. The cowboys are asleep, with the exception of a sentry, who is making up the camp fire, when Dick crawling on his hands and knees, appears on the scene and, knocking the sentry down, releases Jane, who runs to the horses and, mounting one, rides away. Dick is about to do the same when the sentry, recovering from the blow, gives the alarm, and Folsom and his gang rush to him before he can draw his gun. They capture him and some of the boys hold him while Folsom is about to shoot him, when a diabolical plan enters his head and he decides to have him put in quicksand, which is near at hand. The next scene shows the quicksand, with the cowboys approaching with Dick in the midst, and going as near the quicksand as they dare, they push him forward, and in spite of his struggles he lands in the place where they desire him to be and is seen slowly sinking as Folsom's gang go off the scene. Jane has been watching the operations of the gang, and as soon as it is safe, she approaches on her hands and knees and attempts to help Dick, who is in the greatest agony, but he values the life of his sweetheart more highly than he does his own and he begs of her not to come near him. She discovers a lariat which one of the Folsom gang had left, and making a noose she draws it about his body and attempts to haul him out, but it is too much for her strength, and discovering the limb of a tree hanging over the quicksand, she draws it over the limb and makes it fast to the tree and then rushes away for help. We then see her galloping back to the settlement in search of help, and then see her riding with friends of Dick to his rescue. They arrive at the quicksand, and while two of them haul him up with the rope, Jane and another one throw a rope about his back and drag him from over the quicksand. They lower him to hard ground, and the picture closes with Jane and Dick in loving embrace, receiving the congratulations of the other cowboys.
- Marion, who has kept house for her father since her mother's death, has two suitors, Rufus Strong, the village blacksmith, and Eph Little, the village beau brummel. She favors the latter and marries him. After their marriage Eph becomes a loafer, and Marion does the work, greatly to her father's disgust. One of the village boys has become a sailor and comes home with the wonderful tales of the sights he has seen, and Eph decides that that is the only thing that will make a man of him. He steals off with the family wealth. The father, hearing someone moving about in the living room, decides to investigate, and gets to the door in time to see Eph remove the money from the old sock, but doesn't stop him as he is glad to get rid of him. Months later the villagers learn that the ship on which Eph sailed was lost with every soul aboard, and immediately inform Marion. After a long period of mourning, Marion marries Rufus, but still worships her dead hero. Meanwhile Eph is tossed up on an unchartered island, and is rescued by the natives, and being the only white man on the island, is worshiped by all of the women, much to the displeasure of the natives. A ship being blown out of her course by a storm, sends ashore for water, and the captain offers to take Eph back to civilization, but he is too well pleased where he is, and refuses to go with them. As the crew starts back for the ship the natives beg them to take the bad man away, which they finally succeed in doing. Like the proverbial bad penny Eph turns up and walks right into the house, not knowing that his wife has re-married and has a child, but notwithstanding this fact she rushes into his arms like a happy child. Rufus tells Marion to choose between he and their child or Eph, and she decides to stick to the father of her child.
- A settler, accompanied by his wife and little girl, who are making their way through the wild western country in search of a spot in which to build their home, are attacked by marauding Indians. After a brave fight the father and mother are killed and their wagon burned. Fortunately the child had been sent with a bucket for water, and so escaped death. The Indians are frightened away by a trio of cowboys who have been attracted to the spot by the shooting. Big Jim and his two companions find the child weeping over the bodies of her dead parents and Jim, moved by the pitiful situation of the little orphan, declares that he will take care of her. Fifteen years pass, and Nell has grown up into a beautiful woman, courted by many, admired by all. Jim is about to go on a journey, and he writes a letter to Nell telling her that folks think she ought to be married. Will she marry him? He enters to find Nell embraced and being kissed by Dick, the favored suitor. He tears the letter. Nell, turning quickly, sees him. Jim places the torn letter into the pocket of his old coat. The noble-hearted fellow conceals his great disappointment and blesses the young couple. While Jim is away a strange woman denounces Dick as the husband who had deserted her. A month later we find Nell sewing up a tear in Jim's old coat. Jim's letter to her, written months before, falls upon the floor. Nell reads it. Jim enters, and Nell answers his proposal with a loving embrace and kiss.
- When sober, a better father than John Claton could not be found, but, alas! both Grace and Frank knew to their sorrow that when under the influence of liquor their father was quite a different man. This he fully illustrated as he came in to-day, and when Frank attempted to shield his sister from the old man's abuse, he was savagely ordered from the house. Jain Buckstone, who had come in during the quarrel, was greatly elated because Frank was out of the way. He had but to supply Claton with liquor and pretty Grace would soon be forced to listen to him. The old man, all unconscious of the other's thoughts, demanded his companion's flask. No, not one drop should he have. With an oath, Claton sprang upon him, but, being no match for the younger man, was mercilessly hurled over the cliff. Now, at last, Grace should be his be determined, as he stumped hurriedly along, and, upon reaching their cottage, opened the door and stepped boldly inside. Frank who, during his year's absence in the West, had struck it rich, and hastening home to bring the glad tidings to his father and sister, reached the garden just as Buckstone entered the house. He was, therefore, in time to administer a thorough thrashing to the drunkard, while Claton, who had almost marvelously escaped with only a sprained ankle, and now came limping in, wished to have it repeated. Fully realizing the dreadful havoc which liquor had almost wrought, John Claton swore never again to touch the poisonous fluid, and from that day to this, he has kept his word.
- Mrs. Pensonby Smythe is the frivolous young wife of an elderly millionaire whom she does not love. Mrs. Smythe's younger sister, Grace, is a member of the family. Mrs. Smythe secretly accompanies "Billie" Carrington, a social adventurer, to "The House of the Mask," a notorious gambling palace where the rich play in secret with masked faces. Belmont Blair, a gentleman gambler, sees and recognizes Mrs. Smythe when her mask accidentally falls from her face. Later in the evening Blair comes to her defense when Carrington makes a drunken attack upon her in a private lounging room in the gambling house. In the ensuing struggle Carrington is accidentally killed. Blair gets Mrs. Smythe out of the house before the body is discovered and with his aid she reaches home without detection. Captain Radcliffe, a noted criminal investigator, takes the case and in a pocket of the dead man's coat he finds a curious fan, the property of Mrs. Smythe. When Mrs. Smythe misses the fan, she is distraught and again turns to Blair for help. A costume ball is given at the Smythe country home in honor of the "coming out" of Grace, the younger sister, and Radcliffe and Blair are both present. Beside the fan, Radcliffe has evidence in his possession which convinces him Blair is the guilty man. Blair meets Grace and the two fall in love. That night he cleverly steals the fan from Radcliffe's room but is seen by Radcliffe himself. To escape Radcliffe, Blair is forced to take refuge in a room which proves to be Grace's sleeping-room and rather than compromise the girl by being discovered there he leaps from a window to the ground many feet below. The next morning Radcliffe discovers Blair in the act of burning the fan in a fireplace grate. He attempts to rescue it from the fire but Blair holds him back until the sole evidence against Mrs. Smythe has been destroyed. Radcliffe then produces his evidence against Blair and accuses him of killing Carrington. Blair is forced to admit his guilt, and although it would save him to divulge the woman's name, he remains silent. His love for the woman's sister and his own heart prompt him to sacrifice himself for a woman's reputation.
- A thrilling western drama of love, revenue and luck. Dan and Ed, two cowboys, are in love with the beautiful daughter of their boss, George Martin. Ed is a persistent wooer, but Dan is the favored suitor, as is made clear in the opening scene, in which both men make love to the girl while all are on horseback. The boss sends Dan to pay a mortgage, due at Dallas, and gives Dan twelve thousand dollars in cash to pay the same. Dan starts on his journey and the girl rides part of the way with him. Ed, crazed with jealousy, follows the couple. He sees Dan kiss the girl, and the two separate. Ed follows Dan, catches up with him, strikes him with his whip and dares him to fight. Dan responds with a swift punch which lays Ed out on the ground. Ed draws his pistol and a terrific fight follows. Dan tries only to secure the pistol, but Ed tries to kill Dan. They light to the edge of a cliff. A misstep and Dan goes down into the ravine. Horrified, Ed bends over, and believing Dan killed, he mounts his horse and dashes away. But Dan is not dead. His body, after rolling a hundred feet, catches on the projecting bush and he is left banging in the air, though unconscious. A friendly Indian, passing along the edge of the cliff some hours later, sees Dan's horse, traces the footsteps to the end of the cliff, and, bending down, sees Dan's body caught on the bush. The Indian rides back to his camp nearby and brings with him several other Indians to the rescue of Dan. One of the Indians descends on the rope, ties it to Dan's body, and the other Indians pull both men up to the top of the cliff and to safety. The Indians carry Dan off to their camp and nurse him back to health. As a result of the shock, however, Dan is in a semi-conscious state, and it is made clear that he does not realize what has happened to Dan. Meanwhile the boss has received a letter from the land company to whom the mortgage was due, telling him that as they had not been paid the money they are sending a representative to demand same. Unless Martin can pay the twelve thousand dollars the land company will sell the properly. Martin believes that Dan Blake has run away with the money entrusted to him to pay the mortgage, but the girl insists that Dan is incapable of such an action. A lawyer representing the land company, accompanied by the sheriff of the county, enters and demands the money due on the mortgage. Poor Martin says he cannot pay and breaks down completely at the thought of losing his home. The papers are about to be signed, which will take from Martin the ownership of the "Triple X" Ranch, when a noise is heard. The girl runs to the door, looks out, and then runs back to her father, telling him that Dan is coming. Enter Dan Blake, supported by the two Indians. Dan produces the pocketbook and explains that an accident to him caused the delay. The mortgage is paid and Dan is left alone with the girl. The girl goes out into the kitchen to get some warn food for Dan. Ed enters. He sees Dan and almost collapses in terror, believing that he is looking at Dan Blake's ghost. Dan enjoys the situation for a moment and then the good-hearted fellow realizes that unrequited love had turned Ed's head, and happy in the thought that he has won the girl, he indicates that he will never tell anyone of their fight. The girl enters, followed shortly thereafter by her father, who tiptoes out as he sees the lovers in each other's arms.
- Scarcely had Col. Woods and his amiable lady gotten half way to the station when Bessie, their madcap daughter, determined that she and her sister Florence should have a lark. They would write a letter to a matrimonial agency and then poke fun at the applicants. Lucy, the colored maid, was immediately dispatched with the note and then told that she might have the next afternoon off. While puzzling over the matrimonial ads, on the following day, Sir Percival Bonehead ran across the one inserted for the girls, assuredly the most promising in the entire list. So, without time, he made for the Woods's apartment. Arriving, he was met by Lucy, eager to enjoy her holiday, but as she was heavily veiled and smartly gowned, the nearsighted Earl concluded that this was the heiress, whose millions he hoped to spend. With a low bow he presented her with a bouquet, and, not being repulsed, promptly proceeded to embrace the delighted maid. Not until she threw back her veil to receive his ardent kisses did he discover his mistake. Turning to beat a hasty retreat, he ran straight into the arms of Sam, Lucy's sweetheart, who unfortunately had come in just in time to see Sir Percival embrace her. Between the indignation of the pair, aroused in the breast of each, but for quite different reasons, the Earl was given a pretty strenuous five minutes. At last managing to reach the fire-escape, he hurriedly entered the old maid's apartment on the second floor and crept under the bed, just as she appeared, ready to retire. As her glance fell upon his feet, she stopped, paralyzed with delight and wonderment. There was a man under the bed! Encouraged by her voice, he crawled out, but the apparition which met his eyes was too much for even Bonehead. All means of exit seemed cut off, so, goaded to desperation, he dashed his head against the wall. Joy! It went straight through plaster, stone and all, and Sir Percival found himself in the street below. His respite, however, was but short, for having fallen on a sleeping policeman, the Earl was collared and marched off to the station-house.
- In the year 1756, the slaves of a certain Rajah of India unearth a remarkable diamond, which, on account of its enormous size, is christened "The Star of India." The gem is handed down as an heirloom to the Rajah's descendants. In the year 1912 the gem is mysteriously stolen and the blame is shifted onto the shoulders of one Sir Lionel West, a wealthy collector of jewels. Previous to the theft, Lord Ashdown, an English nobleman, to escape the numerous traps of the many fond mothers who are desirous of marrying their daughters to him, takes up his residence in India, where he falls in love with Grace Radnor, a niece of Sir Lionel West. Arthur Fitzallen, Sir Lionel's nephew, desires to marry his cousin. Sir Lionel has observed the reckless and dissolute habits of Arthur, but does not openly show his displeasure until his nephew announces the fact that he seeks the hand of Grace. Sir Lionel states his objections frankly and to the point and to avoid any possibility of Grace being annoyed by his unwelcome attentions, drives Arthur from his home with a demand never to return. Thrown upon his own resources, Arthur subsequently accepts a proposition from a crafty and unscrupulous Indian Prince to secure for him the celebrated diamond, "The Star of India." Success in this and his mission accomplished, Arthur now plans to abduct Grace, so by means of a decoy letter she is lured to an unoccupied cabin which was formerly the headquarters of the conspirators who aided in the theft of the diamond. Con Magee, Lord Ashdown's valet, witnesses the abduction, hides on the trunk rack of the auto and rides off with the party to the cabin in the jungle. Arriving at the journey's end, Con appropriates the car and drives off to spread the alarm. At the cabin, Grace and Arthur are attacked by a lion. Grace flees to an adjoining room and Arthur, with a chair as his only weapon, attempts to defend himself. In the struggle with the beast the lamp is overturned, the cabin catches fire, and the sparks ignite the surrounding jungle. Lord Ashdown and his friends, guided by Con Magee, have considerable difficulty in reaching the burning hut. Grace has escaped from the cabin, only to be met with a wall of fire. As she turns back to escape the fire she is confronted by the lion, which has also escaped from the cabin. Lord Ashdown arrives in time to snatch the girl from the ferocious beast. Trapped by the fire, the conspirators flee for their lives, but are intercepted by the rescue party, who overpower them and recover "The Star of India."
- Two orphans. Helen Clayton and her sister, Fayetta, are living on their ranch, which is managed by their uncle and, having consummated a large sale of cattle, Helen is returning with the money when she is intercepted by Silverton, a former suitor, who again urges his love on Helen. She scorns him, knowing he is a "bad man." Silverton plots with Bob Hatfield, another "bad man," and a renegade Mexican to steal the money. While in the act of removing the money from the fireplace, where it was hidden, they are interrupted by the entrance of Helen, who is seized and carried off by Hatfield and the Mexican. Just as Silverton is about to escape with the money, Fayetta enters and drives him out at the point of a gun. For revenge, he decides to hold Helen for a ransom and, with the aid of Hatfield and the Mexican, he takes her to a shack in the mountains. Dan Clayton, their uncle, and Fayetta's lover, Jack Thorne, start in pursuit and gain entrance to the shack in the absence of the gang, who return while the rescue party is searching the premises. Approaching Jack from behind, they knock him senseless, escape with Helen and then blow up the shack. Dan Clayton, Jack and Fayetta barely escape from the ruins with their lives and, learning that the gang have taken Helen to Mexico, they decide to follow, but refuse to allow Fayetta to go with them. She resolves to follow them and disguises herself as a Mexican boy that she may continue to assist them in their search for her sister. The picture closes with a thrilling rescue scene and the death of Silverton at the hands of his own gang.