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The story of the great German composer, from his childhood through his great triumphs in orchestral and operatic music.

While in New Orleans, Matthew Culver introduces Lucille Ferrant, an old sweetheart, to Robert Gray, a lawyer. Lucille falls in love with Gray and when he contracts the fever, persuades the doctor to allow her to nurse him. The doctor tells Gray that his recovering is due to Lucille's nursing. Gray has grown fond of Lucille, but does not love her. Out of gratitude he asks her to marry him and she consents. While gathering flowers in the garden Lucille meets Culver. She tells him of her engagement to Gray. He begs her for one rose as a last token. He then grasps her hand and kisses her. Gray having witnessed this scene, denounces Lucille and breaks the engagement. Gray and Culver are rival candidates for the office of United States District Attorney. They both seek the aid of Senator Rutherford. Lucille and her aunt receive an invitation to spend the winter with Major Putnam and his sister at Newport. Mrs. Ives issues invitations for an amateur theatrical and Lucille and her aunt are invited. Gray, who takes part in the play, falls in love with Helen Truman. Culver, anxious to disgrace Gray, arranges with an editor friend of his for an article to be published to the effect that Gray cruelly abandoned a woman in New Orleans. Lucille agrees to aid Culver. Culver shows the article to Rutherford who doubts its authenticity. He speaks to Lucille and she confirms the story. Senator Rutherford is also in love with Helen, and asks her father for her hand. Rutherford calls Gray in to show him the article. Gray is prevented from striking Culver, whom he believes is responsible for the story. Helen finds the paper and believes Gray has deceived her. Lucille tells Helen that Gray deserted her. Helen breaks her friendship with Gray and when Senator Rutherford proposes she accepts him. Gray, broken-hearted, leaves for New York. He is ill when Helen marries the Senator and does not read the wedding announcement. Months later he attends a ball given by Senator Dexter in Washington and meets Helen for the first time since her marriage. Rutherford receives Gray warmly and leaves his wife to entertain him. Helen accuses him of having wronged Lucille. Gray convinces Helen that he is innocent and she is overcome. Gray prevents her from falling by catching her in his arms. Lucille, who has seen Helen in Gray's arms, informs Culver, who, in turn, tells Rutherford. The story soon becomes known and Gray accuses Culver of having circulated it. They have a violent quarrel. Culver is requested to report at the Senator's apartment after the ball. Rutherford asks Gray to follow him to his home and to bring Lucille with him. He urges Helen to retire as he has urgent business to transact. Lucille and Gray arrive and are concealed behind the portieres when Culver makes his appearance. Rutherford accuses him of having spread the falsehood, which Culver denies until he is confronted by Gray and Lucille. Lucille accuses him and he confesses. Before Gray departs he confesses to Rutherford that he still loves Helen. Helen comes down to see what is keeping her husband and he questions her about Gray and asks her if she loved Gray when she married him. She collapses. Gray receives a telegram congratulating him on his appointment as United States District Attorney. Culver disgusted, leaves for the West Indies. The engagement of Major Putnam and Mrs. Ives and Jack Dexter and Kitty Ives is announced. Rutherford treats Helen with every consideration, but does not speak of his love. He accepts a mission to St. Petersburg and Helen realizing that she does love her husband, begs him to take her along. This convinces him that his devotion is reciprocated and they leave together.

Young gypsy girl Mary, is seduced by the immoral Robert Crane and abandoned. She is exiled from the gypsies and, along with her mother Zenda, known as "The Woman in Black," she vows revenge. Meanwhile, Crane blackmails Stella Everett's father into forcing her to marry him, even though she loves Frank Mansfield, Crane's rival for a congressional seat. Frank wins, but Stella still faces the prospect of marriage to Crane until Zenda comes to her with a plan. On their wedding day, after the vows are recited, when Crane lifts the veil from his wife's face, he is shocked to discover, that his new bride is Mary. Now Stella and Frank are free to marry, and Zenda has gained her revenge.

Robert Stevens robs the bank where he is employed, and through the efforts of Calvin Stedman, the prosecuting attorney, he is sentenced to six years' imprisonment. While in jail his wife dies and his little daughter, Agnes, is placed in a convent. At the expiration of his sentence, Stevens locates his daughter and settles in Arizona, assuming the name of Stephen Rodman. He prospers and later is elected governor. Agnes, now in an Eastern school, is first to hear the good news, and tells her chum Dora Prescott. Will Prescott, Dora's brother, is in love with Agnes, and before the closing of school, he sends her his photograph. Dora returns to her home in New York and Agnes to Arizona. Will Prescott is cashier of the Jefferson National Bank, and Ned Seabury, his chum and assistant, is in love with Dora. Calvin Stedman, now counsel for the bank, is in love with Dora, and when he learns that she is engaged to Ned, he plans to be revenged. Agnes confesses to her father that she is in love with Will. She receives an invitation to visit the Prescotts and is delighted when her father gives his consent. Ned and Will speculate in stocks through Arnold Kirke, a broker, and Ned wins. Stedman sees Ned in Kirk's office, and, knowing that speculating is contrary to the rules of the bank, he decides to tell Israel Cohen, the president. Kirke is on the brink of ruin, and, to save himself, he begs Will to lend him some bonds, promising to return them after showing them to his creditors. Will is indebted to Kirke, and lends him bonds belonging to the bank. Stedman informs Cohen that Ned is speculating. Governor Rodman comes east to meet his prospective son-in-law and is introduced to Will. A panic occurs, and Kirke disposes of the bonds loaned by Will. Cohen's bank is also in trouble, and Will is worried. Governor Rodman decides to tell Will his secret before the latter marries Agnes, and confesses that he served time in prison for a bank theft. Will realizes that he is not worthy of Agnes, but if he breaks his engagement Agnes will believe it is on account of her father's crime. Kirke commits suicide. Calvin Stedman is instrumental in bringing about Ned's discharge, and when the bonds are discovered missing, Ned is placed under suspicion. Stedman is introduced to Governor Rodman and recognizes Robert Stevens, the ex-convict. Rodman is overcome at his discovery. Stedman tries to turn Dora against Ned by stating that her lover is a defaulter, but he is unsuccessful, as Dora believes Ned to be innocent. Will confesses to Agnes that Ned is innocent and that he took the bonds. Agnes half faints when she realizes that Will is telling the truth, but assures him of her love despite everything and plans to save Ned. The directors of the bank hold a midnight meeting at the president's home to decide what action to take. Agnes accompanies her father to the meeting, and pleads with him to make any proposition that will save Ned. Cohen is surprised when Agnes and her father are announced. Rodman is granted a private interview and tells Cohen that he is willing to supply the funds to save the bank if Ned is not prosecuted. Cohen promises to do all he can and to present the Governor's proposition before the directors. The meeting is called to order and the investigation is conducted by Cohen and Stedman. Ned pleads that he is innocent of the charge. Due to his having speculated in stocks, sentiment is not in his favor, and his statement in his own defense is not impressive. Stedman accuses Ned and Ned is wild with rage. Cohen submits Rodman's offer, but Stedman opposes its acceptance and discloses the fact that Rodman is an ex-convict. Rodman admits the charge, and pleads with the directors to allow him to save Ned from the disgrace he suffered. Stedman again refuses to agree. John Pendleton, one of the directors, realizing that the bank is on the brink of ruin, offers to advance the funds necessary to tide the bank over the panic. Ned refuses to confess and is left in the hands of the law. Will contemplates suicide, but his courage fails him and he finally gives himself up. Governor Rodman makes good the amount of Will's defalcation. Governor Rodman returns to Arizona and resigns his office. Ned is reinstated as cashier of the bank and marries Dora. Will, due to the bank affair, is unable to hold the humblest of positions, and returns home time and again utterly discouraged. Agnes has been loyal to him through all his trouble, and comforts him. Will is overjoyed when Cohen hands him a letter from John Pendleton offering him a position in his factory. Will accepts, and leaves with Agnes to start life over again.

Judas, the Courtland family servant, is discharged for stealing and returns to her husband William Byke and her baby daughter, who is being cared for by girl waif Blossom. Judas, eager for revenge, plans to substitute her baby for the Courtland infant, confident that she can carry out her scheme as the babies bear a striking resemblance to each other. The change of babies is successfully made. A few years elapse and Pearl, Byke's daughter is raised as Courtland's, while Laura, the Courtland child, is brought up as Byke's daughter and taught to steal. Laura is caught stealing by her own father and mother, the Courtlands. Laura's tale of how her "papa" makes her steal touches the Courtlands and they adopt her (their own child) after making a money settlement with Byke. Laura and Pearl are about 20 when the Courtlands die, leaving their fortune equally divided between the two girls. Pearl is secretly in love with Ray Trafford, Laura's suitor. Byke plans to blackmail Laura and gets Snorky, an ex-soldier to deliver her the following note: "My darling daughter, I think it's about time you had a talk with me. I am outside waiting to see you. Your own father. Wm. Byke" Laura faints and Pearl reads the note. Byke enters the house but is thrown out by Ray. Pearl tells Ray Laura's story and hands him the note Ray gives vent to his shocked feelings and Laura interprets his action to mean that he is ashamed of her. Laura takes off her engagement ring and goes to her room. Through the prevarications of Pearl, Laura is led to believe that Ray does not care to see her again, and Ray likewise believes that his dismissal is final. Ray writes Laura that he loves her although her parents are of low origin. Through Pearl's craftiness this note is never delivered to Laura. Byke and Judas attempt to kill Blossom, as she knows the truth about Laura and Pearl, but they are frustrated by Snorky. At the Rensaeller reception, Pearl plans Laura's disgrace. She drops Ray's note to Laura, which is found by Mrs. Rensaeller, whereupon Laura is snubbed by all. Humiliated, Laura goes away, leaving a note saying that her share of the estate goes to Pearl. Ray at once begins a search for Laura and engages Snorky to assist. Byke and Judas, seeking to obtain hush-money from Laura find Laura's note, stating that she leaves her money to Pearl. They discover Laura's lodging-house and abduct her. Laura is taken to Byke's den on the riverfront. Unless Laura agrees to sign over her fortune, her chances of living are dubious. Blossom discovers Laura's plight and notifies Snorky. Through Snorky, Laura is saved, but Snorky is caught by Byke. Snorky, firmly bound to the piling and left to drown by inches, is rescued by Ray and Blossom. Laura, escaping across the river, is found by Snorky. She seeks safety in a tool house by the railroad track. Snorky is again caught by Byke and bound to the track, and left to his fate. Laura, observing, is frantic when she finds the tool house door locked. With the aid of an axe, she breaks open the door and reaches Snorky just in time to save him from certain death, as the train is bearing down upon him. Byke and Judas go to Pearl at the Courtland's summer home and Judas tells Pearl she is her mother. Pearl realizes the bitter truth of her parentage when Blossom confirms Judas' assertion. Pearl upbraids Judas and turns her from the house. Snorky brings Laura to Ray at the Courtland home, where they meet Byke. Snorty shoots Byke, who staggers out and falls dead at the feet of Judas. Judas, widowed and disowned by her daughter, leaves in despair. Pearl confesses that she and not Laura is the daughter of Judas and Byke and begs Laura's forgiveness for the wrong she has done, which Laura in her newfound happiness readily grants.

Frank Nelson and his sister Dorothy are on a hunting trip. Soangataha, "Strongheart," a chief's son, saves Frank from drowning. Frank and Dorothy are deeply grateful to him for his kindness. Strongheart is so impressed with Frank's tales of the east that he decides to return with them to acquire the wisdom of the white man for the benefit of his race. When Strongheart reaches his destination he gives Dorothy a string of beads and a knife to Frank as a parting gift. Later Strongheart is a star on the Columbia College eleven and a great favorite with the boys. They are all enthusiastic over their big football game which they are training. Ralph Thorne is in love with Dorothy Nelson, who treats him with indifference. Dorothy favors Dick Livingston, her brother's chum, and Thorne, insane with jealousy, plans to disgrace Dick by getting him intoxicated and persuading him to gamble. Dick yields to the temptation and loses heavily. Thorne makes him a proposition to loan him $3,000. Dick consents and bets the entire amount on Columbia, thereby hoping to get out of the debt. Thorne exchanges his list of signals for Dick's and sends them to the opposing team. Billy Saunders makes love to Molly, Dick Livingston's sister. As a proof of his love she asks him to give her something he has sworn never to part with. He gives her the football signals (which are in Thorne's handwriting) and warns her of their importance. Dick is very devoted to Dorothy, but she gives him no encouragement for she realizes that she has fallen in love with Strongheart and leads him to hope she cares for him by giving him a rose. The signals are received by the opposing team, who are too honorable to take advantage of the stolen information. Their manager, Farley, decides to take the matter up with Buckley, the manager of the Columbia team. Thorne suggests that perhaps you can tell who sent the signals by the handwriting. Strongheart recognizes Dick's handwriting and refuses to show the signals till after the game. In trying to shield Dick, Strongheart allows himself to be suspected of having sent the signals and is not allowed to play the closing half of the game. Under the promise of secrecy, Strongheart allows Billy to see the signals. Billy believing that Molly has double-crossed him, Dorothy and Molly, unaware of what has transpired, are astonished at not seeing Strongheart in the game. Strongheart is frantic with excitement when Columbia wins the second half. Mrs. Nelson gives a dance in honor of the winning team. Billy accuses Molly of sending the signals to the opposing team. She denies this and gives the signals she has to Strongheart. They are astonished to find them in Thorne's handwriting. Thorne attempts to make love to Dorothy, but she repulses him. He leaves her and meets Billy, who asks him to send a telegram, merely a scheme to compare his handwriting with the signals in Strongheart's possession. Strongheart is convinced that Dorothy cares for him, and asks her to be his wife. Dorothy tells him of her love for him and tells him to come the following day for her answer. Frank enters just as they are in a fond embrace. Strongheart tells Frank that he loves Dorothy and wants to marry her. Frank upbraids him for daring to love a white girl and orders him out of the house. The following day a banquet is given to the football team. Billy begs Molly to forgive him for ever having doubted her. She finally relents and when he asks her to marry him she consents. Dick treats Strongheart coldly until he learns that the signals sent to the opposing team were in his own handwriting. He is overcome and apologizes to Strongheart. The members of the team hold a meeting for the purpose of discovering the guilty man. Dick is unable to explain how his signals were sent. Strongheart is called next and he accuses Thorne of having sent Dick's list to the other team and produces Thorne's own copy which Billy has given to Molly. Thorne realizes that he is caught and confesses his guilt. He leaves at once in disgrace. Strongheart cannot be urged to join the boys' dinner, saying that he has been taught that he is not one of them. He prepares to leave for home and Dorothy tells him of her great love and that she is ready to go away with him. Black Eagle arrives with the news of the death of Strongheart's father. He tells Strongheart of the great need his people have for him and forces Strongheart to realize that Dorothy could not live the life of his people. Strongheart struggles between love and duty. Dorothy entreats him to take her with him. He begs her to leave him while he has the courage to do what is right and despite her pleadings he decides to follow the path of duty and return to his people. He kisses her a sad farewell and is led away by Black Eagle.

Kensington. England, 1903. Will Leveson, an artist, meets his chum, Jack Creatorex and takes him home. Jack meets Malena, Will's wife and his sister Eleanor. Jack consents to pose as a model for Will. Eleanor receives a message from her sweetheart, Kenelm Paulton, stating that he is leaving for Vienna and will stop to see her. Jack enters studio in yeoman's costume of the Elizabethan period and Malena exclaims that he appears as one from the "road to yesterday." Aunt Harriet and her niece, Elspeth, visit the Levesons and Elspeth and a friend attend an Art Museum. Elspeth is inspired by a medieval painting and wishes they all lived in those romantic, days. Norah, the maid, exclaims that it is midsummer eve and "whatever is wished between dusk and twelve comes true." Elspeth repeats her wish. Kenelm Paulton tells Eleanor of his love. Elspeth sees Jack enter in costume and cries out what she has seen. Fearing she is tired. Aunt Harriet, upon returning home, persuades her to lie down and she falls asleep and dreams. THE DREAM. A June morning, 1603. Lady Elizabeth (Elspeth) awakens, puzzled by her surroundings. Lord Strangavon (Kenelm Paulton) demands that she marry him and repudiates his lawful wife, Elinor Tylney (Eleanor Leveson). Mother Gillaw (Norah), the witch, implores the witch's help. They make a rope of bed clothing and Lady Elizabeth escapes. Disguised, Lady Elizabeth takes refuge in the Red Swan Inn. Tompkins, the Tapster (Adrian), and Lady Elizabeth are scolded by Goody Phelps (Aunt Harriet), the inn-keeper. Reformado Jack (Jack Creatorex) arrives to meet his friend Will Wi' the Feather (Will Leveson). Will arrives and meets the Gypsy (Malena Leveson) and falls in love with her. Goody Phelps, enraged at the Gypsy, orders her from the inn and Lady Elizabeth wins the Gypsy's gratitude by befriending her. Lady Elizabeth discovers Lord Strangavon's servants approaching and begs the Gypsy to help her. Will is wounded protecting Lady Elizabeth who escapes and disguises herself as a boy. Dressed as a boy, Lady Elizabeth meets Jack and tells him he is the hero of her dreams. Lord Strangavon arrives in search of Lady Elizabeth, recognizes her despite her disguise and carries her back to the castle. The Gypsy, endeavoring to deliver a note to Lady Elizabeth from Jack, is seized by Lord Strangavon's servants. Lord Strangavon agrees to pardon her if she will read his palm. She tells him that he will wed the girl he seeks. The Gypsy hands the letter to Lady Elizabeth saying that Jack will aid her. As directed, Lady Elizabeth puts a lighted candle in her window as a signal. Lord Strangavon informs Lady Elizabeth that they will be wed immediately. Lady Elizabeth drops Jack's letter and Lord Strangavon, finding it hurries out and gives orders to search for Jack. Jack enters through a secret panel and Lady Elizabeth wants to leave at once, but he urges her to wait for the Gypsy's signal. Lord Strangavon bursts in the door and his men seize Jack. Lord Strangavon agrees to spare Jack's life if Lady Elizabeth will marry him. She consents, but he secretly orders Jack whipped. The marriage takes place and Elinor denounces Lord Strangavon. The Gypsy finds Jack in the courtyard and tells him that Lady Elizabeth and Lord Strangavon are coming. She gives him her knife and he lays as if dead. Lady Elizabeth accuses Lord Strangavon of having killed him. In an ensuing fight Jack stabs Lord Strangavon. END OF DREAM. Jack finishes posing and discovers Elspeth asleep. She awakens, and still under the influence of her dream, throws her arms around Jack. Malena enters and Elspeth explains that she has been dreaming. Eleanor and Ken become engaged and Jack and Elspeth having been "engaged for three hundred years" announce their betrothal.

It is 1900. Grenfell Lorry is the son of wealthy American parents. On a train in New England Lorry meets a mysterious young woman, Miss Guggenslocker, and finds himself irresistibly attracted. Soon he is following her across the ocean to Graustark, a small, remote mid-European kingdom threatened from within and without by power-hungry schemers who will stop at nothing to become its next rulers. Here, he discovers Miss Guggenslocker is actually the princess of Graustark, and the object of many of these schemes. When the two meet again, they both fall in love. Unfortunately, impoverished Graustark owes money to a nearby country it can not repay, and the princess must marry its prince in order to repay the debt. Otherwise, Graustark will lose half its land and its people will become serfs under their cruel new rulers. Surrounded by spies, the news of Grenfell Lorry's love for the princess becomes known and he is challenged to duels, framed for murder and banished from the kingdom. Fortunately, Lorry does not know the meaning of fear, was a fencing champion in college, and is willing to dare anything for love.

Orphaned Jack Denham is adopted by his aunt Mary Watkins, a wealthy spinster who is known to everybody as "'Aunt Mary." Aunt Mary's sweetheart receives an offer of a position in the city, which he gladly accepts, as he has grown tired of Aunt Mary and seizes this opportunity to desert her. A number of years elapses and he never returns. When Jack reaches his majority Aunt Mary sends him to college, and she is left alone with her two servants, Lucinda and Joshua. At college Jack has three chums, Burnett, Mitchell, and Clover. Jack is expelled from college for breaking the rules. Aunt Mary writes her lawyer, Mr. Stebbins, to look after Jack. Jack is despondent and goes to a cabaret show, where he meets "the girl from Kalamazoo." While under the influence of liquor he proposes marriage and gives her a ring he is wearing. Jack returns to his hotel and does not miss the ring till the next morning, when the girl from Kalamazoo telephones him and he realizes what a fine scrape he is in. Jack's chums try to cheer him up and they all go to a saloon and have several drinks. Mitchell has a small pistol which he is showing to the boys, and Jack examines it. He shoots at a dog and accidentally hits the bartender. Jack is threatened with arrest. He telephones Stebbins, who pays damages of $100, and Jack is allowed to go. Stebbins induces Jack to return to Aunt Mary and tell her the story himself. Aunt Mary greets Jack affectionately and tells him she will forgive everything as long as he never wrongs a woman. Stebbins arrives with the news of a breach of promise suit against Jack, brought by the girl from Kalamazoo. This angers Aunt Mary and she disinherits Jack. The girl from Kalamazoo learns that Jack has been disinherited. She goes to see Aunt Mary and tells her that she really loves Jack and does not want his money. Bob Burnett now comes to Jack's rescue and insists that Jack stop with him at his home for a while. While at Burnett's Jack falls in love with Betty, Bob's sister. Mitchell plans to gain Aunt Mary's sympathy and telegraphs her that Jack has a bad attack of measles. Aunt Mary decides to go to her nephew at once. The boys are in the midst of a surprise party, given in honor of Betty's birthday, when Mitchell receives a telegram from Aunt Mary stating she is on her way. This throws Jack and the boys into a panic as Aunt Mary is due to arrive. Betty saves the situation by declaring that she will say the telegram was a trick to bring Aunt Mary to a party in her honor, and she will help the deception along by posing as the housemaid, Janice. Aunt Mary arrives and her rejuvenation begins. Betty dresses her hair in the latest Parisian style, and lends her one of her evening gowns. Aunt Mary, who has been led to believe that the party is in her honor, enters into the spirit of the occasion and has a glorious time. The boys order an automobile and take her for a trip around San Francisco. Aunt Mary is delighted with the trip. They go to a cabaret and the boys induce Aunt Mary to dance. Betty at home finds a newspaper in which is an article stating that Jack is being sued by the girl from Kalamazoo for breach of promise, and this puts him in bad with Betty. The girl from Kalamazoo notifies Aunt Marv that she is very ill. Aunt Mary and Betty go to see her, and Aunt Mary gives the girl enough money to take her home as soon as she is able to travel. Aunt Mary, having had enough of gay life, decides to return home. She reaches her home, and being dissatisfied with Lucinda as a maid, sends for Betty. Betty is very much amused when she receives the letter, and decides to go to Aunt Mary's for a while. The girl from Kalamazoo recovers and makes arrangements to return to her home. She is deeply grateful to Aunt Mary for her kindness and stops off to say good-bye to her. She meets Betty and confesses that she had no claim on Jack. Jack goes to Aunt Mary's to make a last appeal to Betty. Aunt Mary learns that Betty is Bob's sister. Betty and Jack ask Aunt Mary for her consent to their marriage, which she cheerfully gives, and they all look forward to a very happy future.

In Warwickshire, England, Warriner and his neighbor Sir Arthur Stanton become bitter enemies. Warriner goes on a hunting trip and in climbing over the fence dividing the two homes his gun accidentally goes on and he is killed. Despite the fact that the shooting proved accidental, Tom Warriner believes his father was murdered by Sir Arthur and swears to avenge his death. Years later, in London, on the occasion of Harry Stanton's 21st birthday, Sir Arthur wains Harry that drink was the besetting sin of the Stantons, and Harry promises to be guided by his advice. Grace Lisle is Sir Arthur's ward and prospective daughter-in-law, and her brother Fred is Harry's pal. Tom Warriner, now known as Tom Drake, is proprietor of a London gambling house. He is assisted in his work by Sarah Banks, an adventuress, who poses as his sister. Fred becomes infatuated with Sarah and when she pleads with him for a loan of money he gives her lodge funds entrusted to his care. Harry locates Fred's haunt, and becomes deeply infatuated with Sarah. As lime goes on Harry takes Sarah as his wife. He is now a heavy drinker, and his degradation has been helped by Tom. Fred informs Sir Arthur of his loan to Sarah who refuses to give the money back to him. While Fred and Sir Arthur are questioning Sarah why she refuses to give up the money, Harry comes in in an intoxicated condition. Sir Arthur learns that Sarah is his son's wife and the shock is so great that he has to be assisted home by Fred. Years later Fred Lisle, now a clergyman, and Grace persuade Sir Arthur, who has steadily fallen in his health as the result of his son's act, to go to the Riviera for a rest. On the Riviera, Harry, Count Lanski, Tom and Ikey (a bookmaker) spend their time gambling until Harry loses all his money, the Count being the winner. Sarah, anxious for more money, starts a flirtation with the Count. She upbraids Harry for not having any money for her and he is about to seek solace in drink when he meets Grace for the first time since he left home. She begs him to stop drinking. The Count and Tom see her consoling Harry. He promises Grace not to drink. Worried over the money he owes the Count, Tom resorts to trickery in wiping out his indebtedness. He informs Harry that Sarah is going to elope with the Count. Words follow between Harry and the Count with the result a duel is fought between them. Harry loads only one pistol, and arranges that the Count should pick the empty one. The Count is killed and Tom reveals his identity to Harry, telling him that he will swear he (Harry) killed the Count. Ikey, who has witnessed the shooting, forces Tom to inform the crowd that the Count committed suicide. In London Sir Arthur learns that Harry is in the city and a search is made for him. Polly and Adolph, formerly servants in Drake's gambling house, are now married and conduct a public house. Mrs. Sanders quarrels with her husband, Bill, for spending money for liquor instead of caring for the children. Bill is stopped in his abuse of his wife by Grace and Lisle. In the crowd that has gathered are Sarah and Tom. Lisle questions them as to Harry's whereabouts but they plead ignorance. Harry is working as a night watchman in an effort to rehabilitate himself. Tom and Sarah bribe Sanders to get Harry to drink. They succeed in getting him to drink again. Ikey discovers where Harry is working and notifies Grace. Harry is discharged for intoxication and Sanders takes his place. Sarah learns that Grace is coming to take Harry home. She bargains with Sanders to spoil Grace's beauty by throwing vitriol in her face. Grace finds Sanders (who has fallen asleep) in Harry's place and is about to awaken him when she is prevented by Sanders' child, who volunteers to lead Grace to the overseer for Harry's new address. Sarah is furious that her fiendish plot has failed and shakes Sanders, who wakes up bewildered and throws the vitriol in her face by mistake. Ikey takes Harry to Polly and Adolph's lodging house. Tom, disguised, follows Harry. The police arrest Sanders. Harry, crazed with drink, starts raving. He attacks Tom and after a violent fight throws him out of a window. Some time elapses and we find Mrs. Sanders taking care of Harry at his father's home. Sir Arthur forgives Harry. Harry asks Grace to marry him when she is divorced, but Grace and her brother point out to him that it is his duty to save his wife from further sin. Lisle has found Sarah, whose face is horribly disfigured, and Tom, who is recovering from a broken arm, living in a miserable garret. Ikey, meanwhile, has struck it rich and when approached by Tom for a loan he gives him money to take him to America. Tom decides to desert Sarah. Sarah discovers his motive and pleads with him not to leave her. She grabs the money and they have a fearful fight and Tom kills her. He is arrested and later dies in prison, and Harry and Grace are married.

After Gasper La Sage and his cohort, Blink Blunk, are released from prison, they make plans for another robbery. The scheme, which requires La Sage to pose as a gentleman, fails. Blunk is arrested, but La Sage goes free. Some time later, La Sage goes to England where he blackmails Lt. Hugh Butterworth, an officer who misappropriated money intended for the widow of a fellow officer, and who owes La Sage money for gambling debts. As payment, La Sage wants Hugh to arrange for him to marry Eleanor, Hugh's sister. Hugh tells his friend Lord Chumley about La Sage, however, and Chumley is able to learn about La Sage's past when he overhears Blunk, now out of jail, threaten his former friend. After La Sage intensifies his suit for Eleanor, Chumley is finally able to discredit him by tearing open his shirt and revealing the mark of the prison. With La Sage out of the way, Chumley and Eleanor announce their engagement as do Hugh and his faithful sweetheart, Jessie.

Mrs. Von Clef becomes suspicious of her husband, Professor Mozart Von Clef, when she finds a hair on his coat. Von Clef leaves to rehearse his orchestra, and Mrs. Von Clef decides to follow him. Birdie, an escaped lunatic with a mania for placing wreaths on the heads of everyone she meets, is charmed by the music from Von Clef's orchestra, and goes in, placing a wreath on Von Clef's head. Not suspecting Birdie of being a lunatic, Von Clef makes an appointment with her to meet him at the summer garden, when he sees Mrs. Von Clef coming. Mrs. Von Clef indignantly shows her husband the hair, but he explains that it is only a fiddle string. Charlie Knickerbocker, another lunatic, escapes from his keepers. Dr. Guggenheimer plans a party for his daughter Lena, and calls on Von Clef to arrange for the music. Charlie Knickerbocker "flits" into the summer garden and flirts with Birdie, who has given up hope of seeing Von Clef. Von Clef sees an opportunity to get away and leaves with Dr. Guggenheimer. Mrs. Von Clef sees her husband leave Dr. Guggenheimer and go in another direction, and disguised with a heavy veil, she decides to follow him. Von Clef reaches the summer garden and gets a shock when he finds Birdie drinking lemonade with Charlie. Von Clef upbraids Charlie and sends him away, crying. Mrs. Von Clef sees Charlie crying and sympathizes with him. He takes a great fancy to her, and Mrs. Von Clef does not suspect him of being a "nut." Birdie leaves Von Clef, and Mrs. Von Clef flirts with her husband. He is easily deceived and Mrs. Von Clef is pleased with the result of her scheme. Von Clef tries to kiss her, and gets a shock when she raises her veil. In order to save himself, Von Clef decides to take a fit. Alarmed at his condition, Mrs. Von Clef summons Dr. Guggenheimer. The doctor tells Mrs. Von Clef he thinks her husband is a lunatic, and that he needs to "bleed" him. Von Clef soon recovers when he hears this and makes his escape. He jumps into a barrel, not knowing that it is filled with water, and gets a ducking. Charlie accompanies the Von Clefs home and offers his assistance, but when Von Clef recovers he puts Charlie out. Von Clef leaves to engage musicians for the doctor's party, and Charlie again joins Mrs. Von Clef. Octavius B. Flat, a flute player, is engaged at the Musical Union, and Von Clef tells him to call at seven o'clock. Charlie and Mrs. Von Clef are merrymaking when Von Clef returns. Von Clef enters unobserved and is puzzled at his wife's affection for Charlie. Von Clef goes out again and rings the bell, and Mrs. Von Clef hides Charlie in a closet. Von Clef enters in a towering rage and drags Charlie out of the closet, giving him at the same time an exhibition of his marksmanship. Charlie takes flight, and when Octavius B. Flat comes in, Von Clef thinks it is Charlie returning and shoots at him. Everything is in readiness for the Guggenheimer but Von Clef keeps them waiting for the music. Von Clef upbraids his wife, warns her against Charlie, and before leaving locks her up in the closet. Charlie hears Mrs. Von Clef's cries for help and with the aid of a ladder, he rescues her. Von Clef and Octavius on their way to the Guggenheimers stop in a restaurant and Von Clef again meets Birdie. Von Clef is insane with jealousy when Charlie and Mrs. Von Clef enter the restaurant. He disguises himself as a waiter and plans to be revenged. Mrs. Von Clef does not recognize her husband and shows plainly her love for Charlie. When they leave, Von Clef thinks his wife is eloping with Charlie and he gives the alarm. Birdie is caught and is on her way to the "House of Nuts" when Von Clef solicits the aid of the keepers to help him catch his wife who is eloping with Charlie on a tandem bicycle. Mrs. Von Clef and Charlie lead their pursuers a lively chase and are overtaken at the asylum gate. Von Clef and his wife learn for the first time that Charlie and Birdie are lunatics, and order is restored in the Von Clef household.

Bert Stafford is in love with his mother's ward, Sylvia Randolph. She does not reciprocate his feelings as she is in love with Duncan Irving, son of Old Irving, the store-keeper of Pine Level, South Carolina. Although Mrs. Stafford has a daughter, Phyllis, Bert is her favorite child and she has spoiled him by her indulgence of his every whim. Duncan Irving, on the contrary, is a manly chap but unfortunately his father is a habitual drunkard. On account of Sylvia's preference for Duncan, Bert is jealous and tries to pick a quarrel with him, which results in Duncan being ordered from the grounds by Mrs. Stafford. Duncan passes his entrance examinations for West Point and before leaving home tells Sylvia of his ambitions. His father resolves to stop drinking which he realizes might disgrace his son. Two years later Duncan writes his father of his promotion at West Point and the old man shows the letter to Sylvia. When Mrs. Stafford hears of Duncan's success, she decides to send Bert to West Point. A year later the cadets are shown preparing for their annual dance, to which Mrs. Stafford, Sylvia and Phyllis are invited by Captain Lane. Duncan is now a first class man while Bert is a plebe. Bert naturally resents being compelled to take orders from Duncan or Duncan's friend Dumble. Dumble falls in love with Phyllis but she does not give him much encouragement. Duncan's father also goes to West Point but does not attend the dance, fearing his clothes might embarrass Duncan. Bert asks Sylvia to marry him but she puts him off. Bert becomes furious when he sees her talking with Duncan and resolves to get Old Irving drunk in order to humiliate Duncan. When Bert takes Old Irving to his tent he is seen by Duncan's friend, Dumble, who reports the matter to Duncan. As Sylvia has previously asked Duncan not to be hard on Bert, he resolves to respect her wishes and keeps from her the knowledge of Bert's cowardly act. Duncan finds his father in a drunken condition and Bert gloats over Duncan's humiliation and insults him. Duncan demands an apology and when Bert refuses to retract his accusation, Duncan knocks him down. When Bert is picked up he is blind and Duncan and his friends, Dumble, Clay and Lindsay, are put under arrest. Duncan and his chums are court martialed and suspended, despite the fact that Duncan declares he alone is to blame. The Staffords move to New York and although Bert recovers his eyesight, he is declared ineligible for further military service. He again proposes to Sylvia and this time she consents to become his wife. They quarrel as to when the wedding shall take place and Bert accepts an offer from an engineering concern to go to South America. Duncan goes to Washington hoping to induce the President to lift the suspension of his friends. Their reinstatement is made subject to Mrs. Stafford's signing the petition which she refuses to do. Nothing is heard of Bert and Mrs. Stafford is led to believe that he has died of fever many miles up the Amazon. When Duncan and his friends are informed of this they offer to lead an expedition in search of Bert. Mrs. Stafford agrees to sign the petition on condition that they bring her son back with them. Phyllis agrees to marry Dumble and have Duncan act as best man if he finds Bert. Duncan wishes to save Bert in order to win back Sylvia's respect. She gives him a message for Bert which discloses to Duncan her engagement to Bert, but he refuses to give up hope as he believes she is still in love with him, despite the engagement. The relief party arrives in South America and are soon in the heart of the jungle. As their supplies are running short, Lindsay volunteers to return for a fresh supply. During his absence, Duncan finds Bert, who is in a half-crazed condition, and delivers Sylvia's message to him. Bert curses Duncan for his failure to arrive sooner. Lindsay tries to locate his friends by calling them but is unsuccessful. Duncan gives up all hope of being rescued. He climbs a tree in a final effort to let Lindsay locate him and while there receives a message that Lindsay is on his way to rescue them. Duncan urges Bert to keep up his courage. Lindsay arrives and succeeds in rescuing the party, who are now on the verge of collapse. The scene shifts back to New York again where Bert is just recovering from the effects of his trip and although Sylvia nurses him she does not show any affection toward him. Dumble, Clay and Lindsay receive commissions as lieutenants. Dumble cannot understand why Duncan has not received a commission. Preparations are made for the wedding of Dumble and Phyllis. Bert goes away on business and cannot understand Sylvia's change of heart. Sylvia reminds Mrs. Stafford of her promise to Duncan and secures his commission for him but does not want Duncan to know of her part in the matter. When Bert returns he finds Clay and Lindsay thanking Sylvia for securing Duncan's commission for him. He tries to get Sylvia to make up with him but she evades him, having realized that it is Duncan whom she really loves. Bert informs Duncan that Sylvia has secured his commission so that she will be under no further obligation to him. Duncan refuses to accept the commission and tells Bert of his love for Sylvia and Sylvia overhears this. Duncan insists that Bert shall tell the truth in reference to getting his father intoxicated and as Bert is about to strike Duncan, Sylvia appears and sides with Duncan. Bert pleads with her in vain. Following the wedding of Dumble and Phyllis comes the engagement of Duncan and Sylvia, thus showing that virtue will always triumph in the end.

One of the sprightliest comedies ever produced on the stage, this delightful play in motion pictures is a swift succession of scenes whose humor will occasion gales of laughter. In order to win the girl he loves, John Spencer must become an artist, and he doesn't care how much it costs. So he arranges to pose as instructor to a group of starving artists. His rival for the girl's hand, Percival Clutterbuck, is a well-known art connoisseur, and when he discovers Jack's "genius" he publishes it to the world. Josephine Van Dusen, the girl Jack loves, thereupon consents to marry him and insists that he announce their engagement. But Jack has fallen genuinely in love with Nell Graham, an artists' model, and now he tells Josephine, "You are my inspiration, and if I were to marry you my inspiration would cease." Nell overhears the conversation, and when Jack tells Josephine the truth, that he cannot paint a stroke and knows nothing about art, she realizes that he is doing it for her sake. Jack's confession, instead of being accepted as the truth, is hailed as one more eccentricity of his genius. So, unable to get rid of his great reputation, he marries Nell and lives happily ever after.

In the opening scene Bella Wilson is shown waiting impatiently for her husband Jim, who is late home to dinner as usual, having tarried with his friend Dallas Brown and Tom Harbison. When he does get home, Bella jumps on him, causing a quarrel that results in her leaving the house. At the end of a month Jim is notified that Bella has been granted a divorce in Reno. He is very blue when he receives the news, and his friends Mr. and Mrs. Dallas Brown, Tom Harbison, and Kit McNair, try to cheer him up. Tom and Kit are in love with each other. Tom jokes about the divorce, which Jim resents. Kit takes Jim's part, and she and Tom quarrel. He leaves in a rage, and on returning to his home resolves to go abroad for a year. A year later Jim gives a dinner on the anniversary of his divorce. His cook Charlotte informs him that his Japanese butler Talka is ill, and when he goes to Talka's room, a burglar enters. On Jim's return the burglar, to avoid being detected, hides behind a screen. Talka is taken to the hospital, and Charlotte tells this to her beau Flannigan, a cop. The other servants prepare to leave the house because they think Talka has smallpox; Charlotte departs with them. Flannigan remains in the kitchen to finish his smoke. Jim wants Kit to marry him, but she asks him to wait. Anne has been studying spiritualism and is convinced she is a wonderful medium. Her belief is augmented by two or three cocktails. Jim receives a telegram from his Aunt Selina advising him that she is coming to see him. Jim is afraid that if his Aunt finds that he is divorced from Bella she will cut him out of her will. He explains this to his friends and asks Anne to pose as his wife during his Aunt's short stay. Anne refuses, but Kit volunteers to play the part. Jim with help of his friends prepares for Aunt Selina's arrival. They remove such things in the room as might meet with her disapproval, throwing them over the screen where the burglar is concealed, much to his discomfiture. Aunt Selina arrives and Kit is introduced as Jim's wife. Bella, Jim's divorced wife, having regretted her hasty action, calls under pretense of seeing Charlotte, the cook. She meets Anne, who sends her to the kitchen. The burglar accidentally moves the screen, which causes Anne to believe more firmly than ever in her power as a medium, Tom arrives and meets Kit, who is presented to him as Jim's wife. The Board of Health, having diagnosed Talka's illness as smallpox, order the house quarantined and forbid any of the occupants to leave. Guards are placed outside the house to enforce the quarantine. Bella, desirous of keeping her presence in the house unknown to Jim, spends the night in the kitchen. Early the next morning Aunt Selina wakens Jim and Kit, reminding them of their duties under the circumstances. When Kit goes to the kitchen she discovers Bella, who explains that she is there to see the cook. To prevent Jim seeing her, Bella hides in the cellar and accidentally falls into the coal bin. Jim discovers her and she explains her presence to him also as being the result of a call on the cook. The burglar, who is roaming all over the house, gets into Anne's bedroom by mistake and in crawling under the bed he accidentally pulls the coverlet off her and retreats from the room on hands and knees, taking the coverlet with him. Anne, who is only half awake, is still further convinced by this incident of the presence of spirits in the house. Dal finds Aunt Selina's bottle of Pomona, a patent medicine of which she is very fond, and samples it. He leaves it where the burglar finds it and carries it off. Aunt Selina misses the bottle and has the whole house searching for it. This necessitates the burglar making quick changes in his hiding places and in doing so be makes considerable noise which Anne tries to convince Flannigan is spirit manifestations. Bella is introduced to Aunt Selina and a friend of the cook's. Aunt Selina decides that in the absence of servants, each must do their share of the housework, and they draw lots. Kit draws "Cook;" Anne, '"Butler;" Dal, "Laundress;" Jim, "Scullery Maid and Chambermaid;" Harbison, "Assistant Cook and Plumber;" Flannigan, "Ladies' Maid;" Selina, "Barber;" and Bella, "Furnace." Bella and Tom start building a furnace fire. Bella believes Jim is still in love with her, and to arouse her jealousy she persuades Tom to pretend they are engaged, which he does much to the annoyance of Jim and Kit, who are making a vain attempt to prepare breakfast. Flannigan, always on the alert, hears the burglar again and tries to discover the source of the noise. He is unsuccessful as the burglar hides in the dumbwaiter and as Flannigan runs upstairs he lowers himself in the dumbwaiter, and when Flannigan rushes downstairs he pulls himself up. Dal outlines to the others a plan of escape from the house which is frustrated by the guards. Aunt Selina is discovered missing and they all hope she has escaped, but much to their disgust she is captured by the guards and returned to the house through the window. The seventh day of the quarantine finds all the occupants of the Wilson house, with the exception of Aunt Selina, in an extremely nervous and upset condition. To add to their discomfitures they have all been forcibly vaccinated with the exception of the burglar, whose presence in the house has not been discovered. Flannigan' s food is appropriated by the burglar when his back is turned. Aunt Selina compels Flannigan to scrub the roof and Bella to dress her hair. The bottle of Pomona is again removed by the burglar, and this time Flannigan is punished for stealing it. Bella and Tom keep up their pretense of being engaged and complain that the quarantine prevents their being married. Dal suggests they be married by telephone. Tom, frightened at this idea, tells Dal the 'phone is broken. Dal endeavors to repair it, but Tom prevents him by throwing it down the chimney, where the burglar is at the moment concealed. Anne discovers the 'phone is missing and hearing the burglar sneeze, believes the spirits are in attendance. She drops the clothes line down the chimney and commands the spirits to give her a sign. She is delighted on pulling the rope up to find the missing 'phone which the burglar has tied on the line. Kit attempts to cut the 'phone wire to prevent Tom from marrying Bella. She is discovered by Tom, who is amazed to see the 'phone, as he tells Kit he threw it down the chimney. Kit explains to Tom that she is not Jim's wife and they embrace. Aunt Selina finds them in each other's arms and is horrified as she naturally believes Kit is her nephew's wife. Jim also wishing to prevent Bella from marrying Tom, tries his hand at putting the telephone out of business. Bella discovers him, which leads to explanations, and they are discovered embracing by Aunt Selina, who refuses to listen to them. The presence of the burglar is discovered, and through him Aunt Selina learns the true state of affairs. The Board of Health announced that the Talka has not had the smallpox after all, and the quarantine is lifted. Jim and Bella are forgiven by Aunt Selina and all are happy, including the burglar, who makes his escape. Thus was a week passed at the James Wilson residence.

Bessie Barton and John Tressider are sweethearts. Rachel Westwood, a friend of Bessie, is in love with John and jealous of his attentions to Bessie. John escorts Bessie to a dance and Rachel upbraids him. He shows plainly his love for Bessie and Rachel vows to be revenged. Bessie's father is killed and her sister, Miriam, and she are compelled to work. Rachel tells them about the fine opportunities in the city and urges the Barton girls to accompany her. Rachel, instead of going to work, spends her time with George Crooke, a man about town, Rachel introduces Bessie and Miriam to Crooke and his friend, Gilbert Craven, who invite them to take an automobile ride, but they refuse. Bessie and Miriam find employment. Rachel, eager to be revenged, tries to lead Bessie astray and invites her to a show. Bessie has to work that night and Miriam consents to go. Rachel writes to Crooke asking him to meet her after the show and to bring Craven for Miriam. Rachel and Miriam meet Crooke and Craven and they invite the girls to supper. Miriam protests, but Rachel persuades her to stay. Rachel plies Miriam with drink and leaves her alone with Craven. Bessie is frightened when Rachel returns without Miriam and implores her to tell her where Miriam is. Rachel sneeringly tells her she left Miriam with Craven. Miriam returns home later and confesses all to Bessie. Bessie demands an explanation from Rachel, but Rachel refuses to answer. Bessie throws Rachel out of the room and when the landlady learns what Rachel has done she orders her to leave. Bessie sends for Craven and tells him he must marry her sister. He refuses his name, but offers his money. Bessie resents the insult and tells him she can care for her sister alone. Crooke, Craven, Rachel and a few of their friends go horseback riding. Craven is thrown from his horse and seriously injured. Bessie and Miriam happen on the scene and meet Rachel. Craven is carried to a clergy house nearby and when he hears Rachel tell Crooke that Bessie and Miriam are outside, he indicates he would like to speak to Miriam. Craven begs Miriam's forgiveness and marries her before he dies. Miriam becomes a mother and Bessie assumes the care and responsibility of the child. Later Miriam meets Henry Chesterton, a wealthy bachelor, who falls in love with her. Miriam implores Bessie to keep her secret and Bessie tells Chesterton the baby is hers. Bessie is taken ill and the doctor orders rest. She returns home. Miriam places her baby in the care of Mrs. Crone, a nurse near her mother's home, and Bessie promises to look after it secretly. With mother's care and John's lore, Bessie is restored to health and marries John. Miriam marries Chesterton and writes Bessie that she cannot go to see the baby anymore, because it would mean her ruin if Chesterton knew. Bessie calls on Mrs. Crone to see the baby and is seen by Rachel. Curious to know what Bessie is doing at Crone's, Rachel peers in at the window and sees the baby. John meets Rachel and is amazed when she remarks about Bessie having a fine baby. He denies it and she tells him his wife is a hypocrite. Rachel leads John to Crone's cottage and the evidence is all against Bessie. Rachel tries to console him, but he angrily pushes her away. Bessie's mother is puzzled at John's actions when he returns home and when Bessie enters and tries to kiss him, he stops her and asks her where she has been. Bessie tells him she has been to the village, but he becomes enraged and tells her she lies, adding, "There is a child at Crone's that calls you mother." Bessie is horrified and tries to explain, but John will not listen. He leaves the house in a rage and surprises his friends by taking his first drink of liquor. Bessie thinks of her promise to Miriam and when questioned by her mother, who has guessed the truth, Bessie confesses and tells her mother the story of Miriam's misfortune. John, drunk and miserable, meets Rachel, who taunts him. John grabs Rachel and is about to strike her when Crooke interferes. Rachel jumps between John and Crooke and Crooke shoots her. Mrs. Barton determines to see Miriam and have her set Bessie right with John. Miriam is overcome with grief when informed that John believes the baby to be Bessie's. Miriam determines to tell the truth and leaves with her mother. John is ashamed and overcome when Miriam confesses she is the guilty one and implores Bessie's forgiveness. John and Bessie adopt Miriam's baby and it brings sunshine into the Tressider household.

John Doe, "The Billionaire" who owns a controlling interest in the earth, decides to spend the weekend in Gay Paree and Monte Carlo, and leaves, taking with him Ping Pong, his valet, and a retinue of servants. Mr. and Mrs. Hotspur Peppercorn, newly rich and ambitious to marry their daughter Flora to a nobleman, sail on the same ship with Doe. Doe startles Paris with his lavish spending and is eagerly sought. The Peppercorns go to Nice in hopes of mingling with nobility, and Doe takes a trip to Monte Carlo. Pansy Good, a cabaret singer in Nice, gets in bad and loses her position. At the same time, Signor Baptiste (Count Baptiste Tabasco) the frappé tenor, finds a photo in his wife's possession, and determined to find the original, leaves his wife pleading poverty as an excuse, telling her he cannot see her share his misery. Doe breaks the bank at Monte Carlo and becomes a philanthropist, giving all his winnings to a beautiful and mysterious blonde who has lost heavily and is about to take poison. She in return, gives Doe a card written in French. Curious to know what it means, he asks a waiter to read it. The waiter indignantly refers it to the manager, who orders Doe and Ping thrown out. Determined to know what is on the card, Doe saves a life when he hands it to a stranger who is about to shoot himself. The mysterious card breeds wholesale dueling. The stranger challenges Doe to a duel, and leads him to the field of honor. Doe changes his mind about dueling when he sees the size of the crowd awaiting him. and decides to "beat it." He and Ping make their escape in an airship, and when Ping throws a bomb at his pursuers he loses his balance and falls out. Pansy Good is in trouble, and having a heated argument with the manager of the hotel about her bill, when Doe arrives, and upon learning of her misfortune, he promptly comes to the rescue and pays her bill. Pansy is truly grateful, and Doe loses his heart. The Peppercorns meet Lieutenant Ladislas, a distinguished Hungarian officer, who takes Mrs. Peppercorn and Flora on a sight-seeing tour. Peppercorn plans to entertain the telephone operator that night, and feigns a headache to get away from Mrs. Peppercorn. Doe and Pansy decide to do the town, and in the Café Chantant, Doe is recognized by Baptiste as the base American whose picture he found in his wife's possession. Baptiste vows vengeance, and challenges Doe to a duel. Pansy is introduced by Doe as the great American Song Bird, and her singing makes a decided hit. Baptiste meets his old friend Lieutenant Ladislas who introduces him to Flora and Mrs. Peppercorn. Mrs. Peppercorn is delighted to meet nobility at last, and plans to capture "The Count" for her daughter. Doe sees the mysterious blonde who gave him the card, but she disappears before he is able to reach her. Doe, Pansy and the Peppercorns attend a contest, Feet vs. Fists, between Mons, Achille Petipas, Savatist, (Kicker) and Tim Rafferty, an American pugilist. Doe places a big bet on Rafferty and wins. Baptiste still on vengeance bent, pursues Doe. Doe accepts his challenge and engages Tim Rafferty as his body guard. Rafferty and Ping, arrayed in armor, meet Baptiste in Doe's apartment. Baptiste is bewildered and gets the worst of a bad bargain at the hands of Rafferty. The duel creates a panic in the hotel, and Doe's apartment is demolished. Honor satisfied, Doe decided to get back to Broadway, and Baptiste still revengeful, plans to follow. Doe leaves for home with Pansy and Rafferty. Baptiste pays ardent court to Flora, and Mrs. Peppercorn eager to exhibit the Count, sails for home. Doe announces he will build a theater for his protégé, and cables his architects in New York to start building a theater at once, and have it ready for him when he arrives. All records for theater building are broken by Doe, and when he reaches New York he announces the opening night. Pansy is billed as the main attraction, and Doe assures her of success. Mrs. Peppercorn, Flora and Baptiste occupy a box, but Peppercorn eludes Mrs. Peppercorn and escorts Fluffy Flash, a show girl. The Billionaire Theater is opened with pomp and ceremony, Tim Rafferty as head usher is kept busy straightening out arguments with his fists. Mrs. Peppercorn creates a scene when she sees Peppercorn with Fluffy and pulls him out by the ear. Doe's troubles begin when the company refuses to work with a non-union actor. The audience becomes impatient and threatens Doe if he does not open the show. Doe, flabbergasted, announces to the audience that he will continue the performance, and play the leading part himself. He is wildly applauded and with the aid of volunteers, the performance is continued. Doe introduces his latest discovery, Pansy, but she proves a failure, and when a new moon effect he has invented refuses to work, Doe and Pansy are left singing to an audience of two, Rafferty and Ping. Doe, disgusted with his new venture, concludes the performance by inviting Rafferty and Ping to accompany him to the minister's. Doe again becomes a philanthropist, gives his theater away to a newsboy and marries his "star."

Margery, the daughter of inventor Jasper Pennyfeather, falls in love with Jack Everleigh while her friend Dorothy, the daughter of sea captain Hiram Ketchum, is smitten by Phil Fuller. Because both fathers object to the matches, the girls conspire to have their sweethearts nearby during their freshman year of college. The boys arrange to have Mrs. Sprouts, headmistress of a finishing school next to their college, send information about the school to the girls' fathers who are so impressed that they enroll their daughters. Both fathers are also impressed by Mrs. Sprouts, supposedly a widow. The young lovers are involved in several misadventures, after which the two couples wed and open a cooking school. Mrs. Sprouts eventually is reunited with her long-lost husband through the inadvertent assistance of Captain Ketchum, who along with Pennyfeather, attempts to prove his mettle as a prospective bridegroom. Both fathers soften when the cooking school becomes a success and joyfully give their blessings to their respective daughters' marriages.

Cora Williams, an adventuress, is desperately in love with her wealthy cousin, Howard Wilson. She endeavors to captivate him but is treated with indifference. Howard is in love with Mabel and after a short courtship they are married. Cora, mad with jealousy, accepts the attentions of Robert Curtis, a man about town, Mabel and Howard have an ideal honeymoon and after their return Mabel sends Cora an invitation to call on them and Howard invites Mr. Curtis. Cora is furious but Curtis suggests that they accept and it may possibly lead to their mutual advantage. Cora displays a great deal of affection for Mabel but aside shows her hatred. Several years elapse. Mabel is devoted to her husband and their two children, Jessie and Frank. Mabel has two faithful servants in Bridget, the cook, and Toto, the butler. Cora and Curtis are invited to attend the christening of Frank. Cora greets Mabel effusively, hating her all the while. She is still madly in love with Howard and plans to separate him from Mabel. She believes that he will marry her if he is divorced and has custody of the children. Cora suggests her plan to Curtis and he agrees to bring about a divorce for a consideration of $20,000. Cora hands him a note in which she states she will agree to pay him $20,000 on the day she becomes Howard's wife. Curtis carefully puts the agreement away and immediately starts to form his plans to make trouble. Howard receives an important message calling him to the club, which is a subterfuge to get him out of the house. Curtis leads Mabel to believe that Howard loves his cousin Cora and that later he will state that he has urgent business at the club, merely as an excuse to meet Cora. Curtis further states that he can prove to Mabel that her husband is unfaithful. He tells her to drop her fan as they are leaving if she wishes his help. Cora tells Howard that his wife is in love with some other man and intends meeting her lover that night. After the guests depart Howard tells Mabel he must go to the club. Mabel tries to persuade him not to go and begs him to return early. Mabel gives Curtis the signal and under pretense of having forgotten something he returns to the house. He forces his way into Mabel's room and locks the door. Cora meets Howard as he is leaving his house and tells him the letter was only a ruse to get him out of the way and that Mabel gave her lover a signal and that they probably are together now. Howard finally retraces his steps and returns home, going immediately to his wife's room and is astounded to find the door locked. He climbs through the conservatory window and enters Mabel's room. The evidence is all against Mabel and Howard denounces her. Curtis is delighted that his plan so far has worked satisfactorily. Howard brings an action against his wife and is granted a divorce and the custody of the two children. Howard arranges for his cousin Cora to manage his house for him. Bridget is discharged for impudence and when Toto learns of this he tells Cora he will leave. Mabel returns to the house to say good-bye to her children. Cora is provoked at Howard for allowing Mabel to return. Mabel pleads with Howard to let her have her children. Howard makes it clear to Mabel that he will provide her with plenty of money, but he refuses absolutely to allow her to have the children. Mabel on bended knees begs him to be merciful, and Howard, afraid to trust himself longer with her, for fear that he will change his mind, leaves the house. Mabel is desperate and explains to Bridget, who is packing to leave, that she is to be separated from her babies. Bridget suggests taking them without Howard's consent. Mabel, with the aid of Bridget and Toto, succeeds in abducting Frank and Jessie. Curtis calls and demands money. Cora upbraids him for daring to come there and tells him that not until she is Wilson's wife will he get any money. Howard returns and discovers the children missing. He is utterly distracted and Cora immediately begins a search, realizing that unless she finds the children she can never induce Howard to marry her. Eight years have elapsed since Mabel left her home with her two children. Bridget, now Mrs. Toto, is Mabel's best friend. Mabel makes her living by sewing and her daughter, Jessie, contributes to their support by selling papers. Cora pleads with Howard to marry her. He finally tells her that he will make her his wife immediately after he recovers his children. Cora feels that her chances are slim. She meets Curtis at a secret meeting place and tells him Howard's ultimatum. Later on Cora and Curtis see Toto on the street and believe at last they have a clue. Toto, having recognized them, rushes home to warn Mabel. Cora and Curtis discover Mabel and the children and notify Howard. Jessie and Frank, who is very ill, are taken away from Mabel and Bridget is re-engaged to care for them. Bridget tries to comfort Mabel by telling her that it will all come out all right. Cora is triumphant and Howard promises to marry her the next day. Curtis, slightly under the influence of liquor, calls, and Cora is furious at him. Toto, who accompanied the children home, hides behind portieres when Curtis enters the room. Cora asks for the written agreement and Curtis tells her that it is in his laboratory across the river. Cora refuses to give him any money till she is safely married. Toto follows Curtis from the club, discovers where the paper is kept and takes impression of the keyhole. Toto and Mabel go to Curtis's room and find the agreement. Howard and Cora are ready for the wedding. Toto and Mabel arrive just in time and denounce Cora and Curtis. Curtis attempts to shoot Toto and hits Cora. Before Cora dies she confesses the plot. Mabel gives Howard the agreement which Cora made with Curtis. Howard begs Mabel's forgiveness and they are reunited, thus bringing the story to a happy ending.

Sentenced to a prison term for stealing money to save her baby's life, Ruth Marley comes out to find the world against her. Ill and destitute, forsaken by good-for-nothing Stephen Marley, whom she married in the belief that the man she really loved committed a great wrong, Ruth sends for her foster sister Rose Dean and her father. They take her home, where she is denounced as a thief by Lieutenant Wentworth, Ruth's fiancé, whom she robbed. Despite the fact that she gave the alarm that prevented her husband and his pal from robbing the house, she is turned out. Juliana, an actress, takes her in. Stephen and Ned, hiding in a basement, are found by Barbara Dale, a girl whom Marley first betrayed and then forced to accuse the Reverend George Brand, Ruth's former lover, as the guilty man. Barbara discloses the hiding place to Ruth, who confronts Stephen and threatens to denounce him if he will not clear George Brand's name. He is beating her when George and a policeman enter. A confession follows, and Ned, in panic, fires a shot which finds its mark in Stephen. Ruth and her lover are married and she is reconciled with the A dramatic story superbly interpreted by the Biograph players.

Rev. John VanBuren is worried about the health of his brother Dick, a stockbroker. John persuades his mother, who is blind, and his sister Bess to urge Dick to go away for a rest. Phyllis Lee (whom Dick has betrayed under promise of marriage) takes her invalid father to Florida. Dick receives a letter from Phyllis informing him of her father's grave condition and beseeching him to keep his promise. Dick, under pressure of business, finally collapses and is ordered abroad. John VanBuren is assisted in his philanthropic work by Ann Cruger. Ann is the daughter of Franklin Cruger, Dick's most powerful rival. Ann has noticed that John is tired out and needs a change. John goes to Florida for a couple of weeks. While there he meets Phyllis and her invalid father. Phyllis is startled at the mention of John's last name, but being sworn to silence she does not disclose the fact of her association with Dick. Phyllis's father grows gradually worse and the doctor warns her that the end is near. Phyllis sends for John, who comes and speaks words of spiritual consolation to her father. Mr. Lee, realizing that he is going to die, entreats John to look after his daughter. John promises. He takes Phyllis to his home, where she receives a warm welcome. In the short time John has known Phyllis he has fallen in love with her, but owing to her sad loss does not speak of it. Cruger's activities force Dick to return home. When Phyllis is alone with Dick she pleads with him to marry her. He refuses, having already made up his mind the only way to dethrone Cruger is to marry his daughter Ann. John confides in Ann that he is in love with Phyllis. Ann is heartbroken as she is in love with John. Dick and Cruger are worried over the action of the market. Dick meets his opponent at the Charity Ball and tells him that he regrets that he has to fight against the father of the woman he loves. Cruger admires his grit, gives his consent and wishes him luck. Alec, Cruger's clerk, is in love with Bess VanBuren. He asks her to be his wife and she blushingly consents. Phyllis breaks down and tells Ann all, but does not mention Dick's name. Ann takes her to her home and tries to console her. Phyllis decides to confess all to John and while Ann is preparing her own room she hurries to the VanBuren home. Phyllis tells her story to John. Ann discovers Phyllis's absence and surmising where she has gone, hurries to the rectory to prevent Phyllis from telling John. Ann reaches the house before Phyllis has told her story. Ann tries to persuade Phyllis to wait until the next day, but Phyllis refuses. John listens in horror and demands to know the name of the man. Phyllis, however, cannot be urged to reveal his name. Dick returns from the ball and from Phyllis's actions at the sound of his voice, Ann and John are assured that Dick is the guilty man. Dick tells John that Cruger has given his consent to his marrying his daughter Ann. John demands that he marry Phyllis. Dick refuses and they have a violent quarrel. Bess tells her brothers of her engagement to Alec. After Bess leaves, John asks Dick how he would feel if some scoundrel had dealt with their sister as he is dealing with Phyllis. Dick then realizes the full horror of the situation. He begs Phyllis's forgiveness and at his request they are married at once by John. Dick again plunges into business and during one of the exciting periods on the "Street" he succumbs to heart disease, thus paying a high price for his ambition. John meanwhile sees his mistake in thinking he loved Phyllis and realizes that he has always loved Ann. While writing Ann that it has "dawned upon him that that which he regarded as friendship for her is love," she enters and he shows her the letter. An understanding reached at last, they are happily married.

In her youth the mother was saved from the fatal mistake by an accident, but it caused her years of separation from child and husband. It had occurred primarily through her self-righteous sister-in-law's domination and interference. A like fate and downfall threatened the daughter, now reaching maturity. The mother's insistence separated the child from her environment. Love and understanding did the rest.