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- After Dr. Friedrich's wife becomes mentally unstable and his research papers are rejected, he leaves the country to respite.
- Mr. Burton, a manufacturer, has arranged to entertain Charles Groves, a young engineer. Upon his arrival he is greeted by the two daughters of the manufacturer. Doris is a pretty and engaging girl and her sister Ruth is of the more modern type, fond of athletics and mannish in her attire and demeanor. Groves admired her spirit and grit for the time being, but his thoughts soon returned to the less demonstrative sister. But the latter is not in love with Groves and simply seeks to cure her girl graduate sister of her mannish ways. At a ball which is given a week later. Groves and Doris pretend to be deeply attached to each other and the mannish Ruth acts the part of a "wallflower." The plan works out excellently and instead of attending a meeting of the "Women's Protective Society" she consents to accompany Groves on a boat ride. During the short excursion on the river Ruth decides that she will renounce the ranks of "man haters." That evening, in her own home, she is discovered by her fond parents sewing a button on Groyes' coat. A prick from a needle and a kiss on the injured finger completed the cure.
- An upperclass war widow marries again. The new husband is also an officer, and soon he has to go to the next war. At the outbreak, she's the only one who does not cheer about it. And the terrors of war soon bring almost all of her friends and relatives, among them generals and high government officials to the same conclusion: War does not pay.
- Hamlet suspects his uncle has murdered his father to claim the throne of Denmark and the hand of Hamlet's mother, but the prince cannot decide whether or not he should take vengeance.
- The Flying Circus was the largest traveling artist band in the country, and among its favorite artists were the rope-dancer, Laurento and the snake tamer, Ula Kiri. The hot blooded gypsy snake tamer is passionately in love with the attractive young man, hut he does not quite return her feelings. She is hasty and ill-tempered, and not far from being cruel to those depending on her. For the first time the Flying Circus pitches its tents in a small country town. The daughter of the mayor attends. The rope dancer meets her and for him it is a case of love at first sight, and he decides to do all in his power to win her. That night a great fire breaks out in the town, and the flying embers ignite the home of the mayor. The townspeople strive to deflect the flames, but all in vain. The mansion is doomed to destruction and it seems that the mayor's daughter must perish. At this juncture Laurento beats his way through the flames and scales the wall, and, picking up the frantic maiden, jumps to the mesh of telegraph wires outside the window. Carrying his burden over the fragile wires, he saves her amid the frantic cheers of the populace. The grateful mayor makes him a welcome guest, and he soon wins the heart of the young girl, but he has yet to obtain the father's consent. He worries continually about this problem, and not even at home can he rest in peace, for Ula Kiri, who feels that her beloved friend is sliding away from her, keeps tormenting him with jealousy and mockery. At last he plucks up his courage and goes to the mayor. The latter is friendly to the young man, but he compels the rope dancer to leave with a vague promise for the future. If circumstances, should alter. A capital idea strikes the young man to obtain money. He arranges to do a rope dance to the church tower. The circus director is delighted with the idea. The great day arrives, and the people of the town gather around the church. The rope dancer cannot forget Erna's sorrowful eyes and pale face as he walks along the flaccid rope towards the dizzy height. A snake has escaped and its body bars the way to the entrance to the tower. The snake tamer has, in her mad jealousy, forgotten all about her duties, and this negligence now proves fatal. Erna implores her in vain to call back the reptile, as she is the only one that can do it, but Ula Kiri will not listen to her in her storm of jealousy and hatred. But Erna overcomes all difficulties. Her great love teaches her what to do, and thus she saves her sweetheart. The mayor can no longer withhold his consent to the marriage and the same evening the Flying Circus goes away to the other regions, leaving a happy couple in the country town.
- Dr. Henry Jekyll experiments with scientific means of revealing the hidden, dark side of man and releases a murderer from within himself.
- The caliph's favorite wife is coming, riding on a camel with one of her slaves. The procession passes a restaurant, where two Englishmen, Sir Hopkins and Mr. Jackson, are sitting between the Turkish guests. The two foreigners perceive the strange Eastern performance. The young Mr. Hopkins falls in love with the beautiful Sulejma. He imagines he receives a look from the black eyes, which promises him a great reward if he will exert himself and obtain it. He at once sets to work with all his energy. From a wandering chemist he buys an opiate, his friend takes it and succeeds in putting it into a bottle of wine intended for the caliph's harem guard. When the two eunuchs are sleeping soundly on their guard, the daring young man sneaks into the harem to see if he has understood the black eyes right. His appearance creates great consternation among the ladles of the harem. He has just made sure that he did understand the language of the black eyes as the caliph appears, and for this time puts an end to his impudence. The two sleeping eunuchs are imprisoned, and the new guard is cautioned to keep a sharp lookout. The lovesick young man keeps his aim in view. That which cannot be gained in one way, must be obtained in another. He buys a basket and some clothes from an old woman, and disguised as a basket woman he easily gains admittance to the harem. This time he is more successful. Sulejma sends the slaves away, gets into the basket and permits the courageous young man to carry her away. At the city gateway the fugitives are overtaken. The pursuers are close by, and Sulejma cannot run as quickly as necessary. A Turk is just passing by with two horses: quick as lightning Mr. Hopkins pounces upon him, throws him to the ground and jumps into his saddle. Jackson helps Sulejma on the other horse and off they go. Jackson stays back, prepared to sacrifice his own life, rather than let the caliph outside the city wall. He shoots the caliph and then sinks down, shot by one of his pursuers' bullets. His and the caliph's death have saved Mr. Hopkins' life and that of his sweetheart. The consternated guards lose their senses and forget the pursuing. The last picture shows us Mr. Hopkins and Sulejma on board the English vessel, which is to carry them to a more reliable harbor.
- A young couple appears to be perfectly happy and in love, but one day the woman discovers that her husband is having an affair. She seeks out his mistress, and the two women agree to resolve their conflict in a duel.
- The story of the enmity of two manufacturers-competitors. In the fight against his competitor, one of them shows such diabolical sophistication that the tempter serpent himself would envy him.
- In this Great Northern film is shown the tapering spires of a beautiful castle reflected in the quiet water, while the park's trimmed hedges are stretching themselves across the landscape, hiding and shading what is inside from the curious gaze. The old nobleman wants to give a banquet in order to celebrate his daughter's betrothal to a rich old man of noble family. But his young and pretty daughter wants to have a younger and handsomer bridegroom, and therefore one can easily understand that she refuses the old suitor when the father introduces him to her. In the moonlight the young people meet and talk over their future prospects. He seems to feel inclined to give up the struggle and go away, but she is made of a sterner stuff and tries to prevent him in his intentions. As good luck would have it, the betrothal feast is to be held in the park by the seashore, and here Providence provides the accident which unites the two. The two rivals quarrel about a rose and the old gentleman settles the quarrel by saying that his daughter is to throw the rose into the water, and the one who fetches it up again shall have not only the rose but also the hand of his beautiful daughter and shall become the future owner of her magnificent castle home. In a second the young man is in the water, and while the spectators are shouting with joy he reaches the rose, which he at once offers to the fair judge. The old suitor has to acknowledge his adversary's strength and courage, and congratulates the two young people and withdraws his suit in favor of his successful rival.
- A pretty farm yard scene opens this subject. The farmer's daughter has two admirers, one a farm laborer, employed by her father, and the other, a young man neighbor farmer of good financial standing. The father is in arrears with his rent, and the rich young suitor to his daughter offers to get him out of the difficulty, providing he will give him his daughter's hand in marriage. The father consents, hut the girl soon shows her objection, preferring the love of the laborer. The rejected suitor, in anger, enters the farmer's barn, intent upon revenge, and accidentally sets fire to the structure. He tries to throw suspicion upon the farmer, but two tramps point out the real culprit, having seen him enter the barn. The young laborer re-enters the employ of the farmer, whom he assists financially with the winnings of a large lottery and later marries the daughter.
- Chancellor von Rallenstein forces Princess Irene to marry Prince Deima instead of her true love, Pawlow. The secret lovers seek to get married anyway, sending the Chancellor into a rage.
- Prince Walter, whilst out hunting with his adjutant, the Duke of Wolmer, becomes separated from the rest of the field, and the pair encounter Agnes, a prepossessing country maiden who resides with her grandmother, and of her inquire their whereabouts. The adjutant, who is an ardent amateur photographer, observes that the prince is struck by the girl's beauty and secures a snapshot of her. It is a case of love at first sight with the Prince and his fair charmer, and the latter, refusing to be momentarily recompensed for the services she has rendered to His Royal Highness, allows him to present her with a ring. In return, he takes a lock of her hair. The pair part, but the gay cavalier has become a lovesick swain. His thoughts are ever of Agnes, and a game of chess with the adjutant proves tedious. Showing the lock of hair to the adjutant, the latter understands what is troubling his royal master, and consoles him somewhat by presenting him with a present of the snapshot he secured of the girl. To further the plans of the lovers, the adjutant secures a tenancy of the house adjoining that of Agnes, and the love-making proceeds apace. Soon we see the happy pair in fond embrace and the compact is sealed with a kiss. But the prince's august parent has other plans for his son's matrimonial prospects. For political reasons, it is necessary that he shall be betrothed to the Princess of Illyria, and at a council meeting the engagement is decided upon. Prince Walter, whilst enjoying a tete-a-tete with Agnes, is apprised by the adjutant of what has occurred, a copy of a newspaper containing the official announcement being handed to him. In a rage he tramples the paper under foot and goes off with his informer. Agnes chances to discover the journal, and reads the news which for her is fraught with such importance. The prince decides to return home, and writes a letter acquainting Agnes with the fact that circumstances over which he has had no control forces him to break his engagement with her. Arrived at the royal palace, the prince bows to the will of his father and the council. Both His Royal Highness and Agnes are, however, disconsolate. The former has no thoughts except for her to whom his heart is given, whilst the latter declines to be tempted even with the daintiest luxuries. She sends back the emblem of her troth, and the prince writes a letter imploring her to see him once more and let him spend a last happy hour in her company. The adjutant, seeing how matters are, takes affairs into his own hands, and visiting Agnes, prevails upon her to gratify the prince's desire, conveying her to the palace in his own motor car. A touching scene between the lovers in the royal garden ensues, and before parting the prince gives Agnes a white rose as the emblem of his undying love for her. Tender farewells are said, and Agnes returns to her humble abode. Life's dream for her is o'er, but the prince, bowing to destiny, returns to the palace and is wedded to the lady of his father's choice, bestowing upon her his name, but not his love, for that is the sole property of the girl of humble mien, and the picture closes with the newly wedded pair bowing their acknowledgments upon the balcony to the assembled populace below, who little realize that he who will someday rule over them has sacrificed his happiness in the fulfillment of his duty to his king and country.
- After the united powers of Europe had been successful in defeating Napoleon's vast armies, the great Emperor himself was taken prisoner and sent into exile to the Island of Elba, on the coast of Corsica. His loyal friends in France, however, would not rest, and were untiring in their efforts to liberate the Emperor from his prison. The first part of this film depicts a meeting of a few of these friends and supporters, who formulate a plan. A letter is written to Napoleon, explaining that a messenger will bring him all particulars and plans of a plot to liberate him. A young officer is elected to make the dangerous journey to Elba, to carry to Napoleon the message from his friends. But these friends did not count on the enemies which every great man has, and did not observe that one of them attended their eventful meeting. The traitor informs the police, whose assistance he obtains, and together they go in pursuit of the messenger. Tired and exhausted, the messenger finds rest for a night at a small inn on the road, but not long after his arrival there his two pursuers arrive also, and over a glass of wine discuss how they can best capture the messenger. The daughter of the innkeeper, a great admirer of Napoleon, overhears the discussion of the two men, and immediately warns the messenger, who has just sufficient time to ride away, hotly pursued by the enemies. Fortunately, he soon reaches a farm house on his way, and induces the farmer to give him other clothes. Hastily changing his dress, and with the assistance of the farmer, who shows the pursuers the wrong way, he manages to get to the frontier. He arrives safely at the coast, from which he is to take the boat to Elba. Before he lands on the coast of the island, his small craft is demolished by the waves, and he is compelled to swim through the foaming sea to his destination. But even here, on this lonely island, he is discovered by a sentry, who uses his rifle effectively, and with a bullet-wound in his shoulder the poor messenger turns back into the water, pretending to be killed. Swimming to a more secluded spot along the coast, he sees the figure of his beloved Emperor standing by the water, looking sadly in the direction of his country. Trembling with excitement, the brave messenger approaches Napoleon and delivers to him the message. Napoleon, deeply moved by the loyalty of his friends, thanks the messenger in kind words, and embraces him, to show his deep and sincere gratitude.
- When the actress Asta Leonhard and two friends visit the princess Spinarosa to persuade her to sponsor a charity event for a sick artist, the prince himself opens his eyes to the beautiful Asta. He does not know that she is allied with the dangerous player Thomas Buckle.
- An exhausted bicyclist stops by the pathway and falls asleep. He dreams about an encounter with a witch who magically transforms his clothes and rides off with his bicycle. But when he awakes, the mysterious transformations continue.
- Marguerite, a beautiful woman of affairs, falls for the young and promising Armand, but sacrifices her love for him for the sake of his future and reputation.
- A Mormon missionary seduces and kidnaps an attractive young woman, forcing her to accompany him to Utah to become one of his wives.
- Swiftly passing through seas of floating ice, a vessel with masts, spars and decks entirely covered with ice is seen pushing its way northward. Seagulls make the air black, and the crew, clothed in heavy furs, move lively, on the lookout for walrus, seal and Polar bear. Within full view are seen in rapid succession seals disporting themselves on the icy brink of bergs. Walrus, with their immense tusks, are shown cavorting through the water, plunging after fish. The comical penguins in great numbers get in front of the camera at close range. The wonderful and mysterious musk-ox in his native haunts is shown life-size, and stamping his disapproval of being brought into such close proximity to man, his natural enemy. Then the critical dramatic moment arrives when the hunters leave their ship and start across the icy fields after his majesty of the Arctic regions. Soon is seen an enormous white Polar bear, slowly meandering in his search for provender. He discovers the hunters, rears on his hind feet, ready to give battle. A masterful shot striking a vital point fells him and he is seen rolling in his own life's blood. The hunters cautiously approach, and when fully convinced of the death of old Bruin, load him on their sleds and start for the ship. Finding the return trip too laborious, they unload their spoils and proceed to strip off the valuable, shaggy coat, remove a choice saddle of bear meat, and leaving the bare carcass freezing in the solitudes of the Arctic, trudge once more to their ship.
- The peace of the anarchist and his wife's house is disturbed by the mother-in-law. He sees no other advice than to blow her up.
- In a mansion full of secret rooms and passageways, people are dying shortly after seeing the ghost of a woman in gray, as an old legend dictates. Called in to solve the mystery, Sherlock Holmes has doubts about the supernatural aspect of the crimes and focuses on a more earthly culprit.
- A melodrama about the destitute Count lured into a circus environment and forced to show their daring high up in the circus dome.
- Two white hunters accompanied by their servant go hunting in the African jungle. They see various animals and shoot a lion.
- Episode 1: "The Tragedy in the Villa Falcon" A wealthy widow has been robbed of her jewels and murdered. Harvey Stacey and his assistant, George Warren, Central Office men, have been detailed on the case. With the exception of a torn telegram, advising the widow that night of the arrival of her nephew, there seems to be no clues. Suspicion points to the nephew, and the detectives search for more evidence. A sheet of paper, upon examination, reveals finger marks; one finger is missing. Stacey telephones to headquarters ordering a watch kept on all railway stations, and any man with but four fingers on one hand detained. Meanwhile, in his house, Morton, the real murderer, decides it will be safer to make his getaway. Hurriedly he puts on his coat and gloves, which almost conceal his deformed hand, and hastens to the station. At the ticket office a detective "spots" him, and notifies Stacey, who orders the train held. Morton becomes uneasy at the delay and seeing central office men approaching, makes his escape. Pursued, he reaches his house, and disguises himself as an old woman. Later Morton sends a telegram to Warren telling him to go to the Villa Falcon. The latter is met upon his arrival by Morton and his accomplice, who bind and gag him. Then they telephone for Stacey, who is suspicious of the message, and takes four policemen with him. These he orders to remain outside, and enters the Villa. He also is bound. A time bomb is placed, but Stacey manages to fire a pistol, whereupon the police rush in, rescue the detectives, and place the desperadoes under arrest.
- Eileen Wells is receiving a call from her fiancé, Lieutenant Masters, when her father, General Wells, and her brother, Gordon, who is a Lieutenant, arrive bringing the startling news that war has been declared against their country by the Government of Lieutenant Masters, who is the military attaché to the embassy of the hostile country. General Wells dismisses him from his house as he is now an enemy. Upon departing for his country Lieutenant Masters returns to bid farewell to Eileen, and she gives him a carrier pigeon so that he may communicate with her. Before leaving for the scene of action, the General and Gordon acquiesce to Eileen's desire to serve as a red-cross nurse. An orderly brings to General Wells' headquarters the announcement that the Prince will, at two o'clock the next day, present the colors to the 5th Battery. This Battery is under command of Lieutenant Powell, who, acting as a tool for the enemy, steals over to the opposing forces to acquaint their commander with the presentation of the colors, and advise a surprise attack at that hour. The traitor quickly returns to his camp. In his own tent, he constructs a bomb, and places the deadly missile in a huge long-range cannon, timing the explosion for the hour of the Prince's presence. Perceiving that there is a traitor in General Wells' army, and realizing the grave danger that threatens his sweetheart's father, after a few moments deliberation, his love for Eileen prevails over his duty to his country. Lieutenant Masters dispatches a note with the pigeon, advising her that a traitor has given information of the color presentation, and that a sudden attack will take place at that hour. Eileen frantically speeds to the front in a motor car, and miraculously eluding the fusillade of the picket, she reaches her brother's camp, and imparts to him the plot. Like a flash he mounts his horse, and rides to the General's headquarters, arriving in the nick of time to save the Prince, his father and staff from the deadly explosion of the bomb. Forthwith a terrible battle ensues, the enemy manifesting splendid heroism, unheeding the multitude of shrieking, bursting shells which mow down many of their number, fairly covering the battlefield with dead and wounded. Gradually all the trenches fall into the hands of the advancing army, save the last one, which, under the command of Lieutenant Masters, offers a most obstinate resistance. The battalion of Lieutenant Wells soon overpowers it; a violent bayonet charge follows, during which Lieutenant Wells witnesses Lieutenant Masters' fall. The enemy is repulsed from its position by Lieutenant Wells' forces, and completely routed. During the interim, Eileen is nobly caring for the wounded soldiers in a field hospital, where her brother finds her, and tells her how he saw Lieutenant Masters fall, firmly clasping his country's flag. Eileen, anxious to learn her sweetheart's fate, induces Gordon to accompany her to the battlefield. After searching for some time, they finally come across Lieutenant Masters lying among the dead, seriously wounded. They have him placed upon a stretcher, and send him to their home, which had been converted into an emergency hospital. Determined to drive the enemy from their last stronghold, Lieutenant Wells volunteers to blow up this fortress. Up and down snow-covered mountains, through the intricacies of barbed-wire entanglements, and overcoming numerous obstacles, he at last reaches the fortress. The sentries guarding the entrance are killed by a bursting shell, whereupon the Lieutenant, entering the court, comes face to face with Powell, who offers his sword to Wells that he may kill him. The latter rejecting the sword, ignites a bomb, the explosion of which shatters the powder magazine, killing and burying under the debris the traitor. Accompanied by strains of martial music, the victorious army marches into the fortress, and receives the surrender of the holding forces, thus consummating a complete victory. Soon after, General Wells has returned to his home, the Prince comes to confer decorations upon him and his son for their heroism. Lieutenant Masters, now convalescing, under the care of Eileen, obtains the consent of her father to their marriage, and receives the praises of the Prince for his services to the country.
- After losing his parents, who died from grief over their son's unjust sentence to jail, John Redmond obtains his release and devotes his life to the uplift and betterment of mankind. After preaching to a crowd one day he is accused of having served a term in jail himself. The leader of a gang and his followers are planning an act of burglary in a saloon. John Redmond happens into the same place, but he is mocked and leaves. One of the gangsters decides to lead an honest life and appeals to John for moral aid. The lay-preacher tells him his story: How in a quarrel one evening his sweetheart was killed by the bullet of a rival suitor, which was meant for him, and for which he was sentenced to jail. Through the intervention of this prison chaplain, however, the case was retried, his innocence was proven and he was set free. His first way was to his ill mother who, shortly after his return, died in his arms. Nellie, the reformed gangster's sweetheart, rejoices over his reformation, and the lay-preacher continues his life's vocation.
- A catchy film of the old Indian days, showing typical life in the wild west prairies. The film shows lassoing and taming of wild bucking bronchos. Tex has a sweetheart of typical Western beauty with whom one of the cowboys is madly in love, but she will have nothing to do with him. Full of hatred, William, the bad boy, enlists the services of a Sioux Indian and together they rob the stables of Tex, and are discovered by the young girl whom they capture and carry off into the woods, where William tries to kiss her and is repulsed. The Indian, filled with jealous rage, slays William and tries to secure the girl for himself. She also repulses him and is tied to a tree. Then Tex, who having discovered the loss of his sweetheart and horses and followed the trail, rushes in between and knocks down the Indian and rescues his beloved one.
- This introduces a mermaid who, like the fairy of the story books, transforms a plain sailorman into a prince for a time. His family do not appreciate his nigh rank and he discards the charm.
- Captain Burns must leave his wife and two children to go on a long sea voyage with his vessel. His wife, who has accompanied him many times on various voyages, has to stop at home this time. During her travels she gained a good knowledge of navigation and after the Captain has left, one of her chief pleasures during the winter evenings is to follow him on his voyage on the chart which she has in her little home. One night after having put the children to bed she has a vivid dream that her husband is wrecked. So impressed is she with this dream that she hires a ship and crew and goes to the place she saw in her dream. She finds her husband on the wreck on a desert island, and is just in time to save him from death.
- This story tells us of young Mabel, a pretty but somewhat careless girl, whose one fault is that she is greatly in love with Bob, a ne'er-do-well with no particular ambition. He finds it easier to live on money obtained dishonestly than that earned by work. Mabel is employed as a waitress and considerable money passes through her hands. She assists her sweetheart in many ways, but he is hard to please. In order to satisfy his wants, he influences her to take a purse from the pocket of a friend. Her conscience, however, bothers her, and throwing the purse in front of Bob, she runs away in despair. The purse is afterwards found in his possession and he is arrested. Mabel, who cannot rid herself of her guilty conscience, finally attempts to end her life. A young doctor, out for a walk with his aged mother, notices her and realizing her condition and hearing of her misery, induces her to go home with them and give up her suicidal ideas. She stays with these good people for some time, and the old lady takes a liking to her to such an extent that Mabel is asked to stay as her companion. A little later the old lady is taken seriously ill, and cannot recover. On her death bed, she expresses the wish that her son marry Mabel, and this wish is duly respected. The young couple begin life very happily. Nothing disturbs their happiness for the next few years, when Mabel's happiness is suddenly disturbed through Bob, who has been released from prison. He is determined to have his revenge, blaming Mabel for his long sentence which he has had to serve. The first thing he does is to locate her. In this he succeeds and in a brutal way requests her to leave her husband and go with him. She can only get rid of him by supplying him with money. Bob now sees that she is really afraid of him, and repeatedly asks her for money, which she gives him, he threatening that if she refuses, to disclose her past. Mabel is finally driven to desperation by his persistence and, taking a chair she knocks him senseless. Thinking that she has committed a crime, she runs away to a park and makes a second attempt on her life. Too late she is found by her husband, who cannot aid her. She has suffered for the sins of her past life.
- The princess is presiding at a reception being given in the old castle during the absence of her venerable father. The prime minister announces that the old soldier has again overcome his warring neighbors. The princess does not appear to be over elated, because she recalls that a young captain, whom she had once met in times of peace, might be among the dead or the wounded. Sure enough he is brought to a hospital, a wounded prisoner, and Elena volunteers to act as his nurse despite the protests of the prime minister. As he regains some of his normal strength he chafes under the restraint imposed upon him, and in her efforts to ease his lot, the princess issues orders that he may have use of the castle grounds. In his walks he frequently comes in contact with the princess, and while their intimacy ripens, the prime minister arrows more jealous. At length he clearly indicates his aversion to her companionship with an avowed enemy of her country, and in the name of the king seeks to restrict the captain from exercising in the grounds of the castle. The princess dismisses him and continues to secure an occasional tete-a-tete with the captain. He persistently pleads to her to help him escape from the confinement that is so galling to him and at length she accedes. She forwards to his apartments a rope ladder and a revolver hidden beneath a consignment of books. In the silence of the night he lowers his rope and makes his perilous descent to the foot of the walls. A sentry spies him, fires a warning shot, and engages the captain in a stern struggle. The captain manages, however, to break away; but soon he has a troop of cavalry on his track. He swims a river and rushes pell-mell through woodland country, but his mounted pursuers gradually gain upon him and, still weak from his wounds, he falls panting to the ground as they reach him. A court-martial quickly follows his recapture, and the dread verdict is summarily issued. Princess Elena sends for the prime minister, who has already signed the death warrant, and pleads to him to revoke it. He says he is ready to do so, but imposes, as a condition, that she should become his (the prime minister's) wife. She returns abruptly to her apartments and determines on a course which seems to her to offer the only possible way out for her and the man she loves. Under the cover of the night and closely veiled she steals to the prison and then gains admission to the cell in which the condemned man is crouched in an attitude of hopelessness. At first he thinks she is but a vision of his disordered mind, but when he folds her in his arms he understands the depth of love which has prompted her to come to him. She tells him that the chances of escape are too forlorn to attempt, and knowing that she cannot save him, she has decreed there is only one thing to do, to die together. She takes a paper knife, from her dress and hands it to him, but he recoils, and in an outburst declares that he will not die, but must go back to his country. His country comes first, and recognizing the inevitable, and the futility of their love, the princess rushes from the cell and secures a uniform of a prison warder. The captain kisses her and makes his escape. Later she is found on the floor of the cell, a victim of her own stiletto.
- The old executioner, nevertheless, feels a professional pride in his occupation, and designs that his son shall succeed him. Accordingly on the crown of his head is branded a cross such as his father wears. The young man, however, has a strong antipathy to this grim occupation, and he runs away to seek his fortune. However, no one will have anything to do with the man who bears the hated brand on his head, and the young man is at his wit's end to know what to do until a witch, to whom he renders some service, gives him a magic sword, with which he performs many deeds of valor and rescues a princess who is beset by highwaymen. He is received at the palace and made much of. A devastating fire occurs there, accompanied by many thrilling scenes. The queen, deserted by her craven maids, is in danger of losing her life in the flames. The executioner's son goes to the rescue, but as he emerges bearing his unconscious burden, his hat comes off and the hideous cross is revealed. There are immediately cries of execration at the thought that this "unclean" person has been in the confidence of the king, and the young man's life is in danger until the queen and princess plead for him. The king gets over the difficulty of his ignoble origin by making him a knight and he weds the princess.
- Ernest Des Tressailles, a young Bourbon officer, arrives with some companions at the castle of Trionville to marry Alaine de l'Etoile. While they are at the wedding feast, Republican troops arrive, but Ernest escapes only to be captured later. He is sentenced to be shot the following morning. He is paralyzed with fear and Alaine, though surprised and disappointed by his cowardice, determines to save her husband at any cost. She entreats Marc Arron, the stern Republican, to save Ernest. At last Marc Arron. influenced by her beauty and his love for her, accedes to her entreaties, and exchanges clothing with the condemned man. In the garments of the latter he sits down to await the hour when he must atone with his own life. Alaine is captivated by his courage. Marc Arron informs Montaloup, a member of the committee of public welfare, that he has permitted Ernest to escape. Montaloup pities him for his blunder, but Marc Arron rejects all sympathy. When Ernest later on returns voluntarily, Marc Arron refuses to accept the pardon offered, as he wishes to set an example for all true patriots. In the white and gold uniform of the White Hussars he strides to the window and commands the soldiers to fire, while he shouts, "Long live Alaine. Long live the Republic."
- Frank Alberti is the guardian of Lydia, a sweet and unsuspecting young girl. By the terms of his brother's will in the event of her death he will come into possession of her property. An unnatural relative, he plots to remove her and adopts despicable methods. He is a man of some prominence and he enlists the services of one Bernard, a gambler, who is possessed of remarkable hypnotic power over weaker minds. Alberti lays his plans craftily. He takes Lydia to the seaside and invites her to go out rowing in company with himself and a friend. Bernard is disguised as a boatman and rows them to sea. The dory has been tampered with and sinks. As the boat fills with water Alberti and his friend swim for it and leave Lydia struggling in the water. The scene is an astonishing one. The girl is seen to sink down, far below the surface, and then rise again. Bernard conceives a cunning plan and dives and rescues the girl that he may extort money from Alberti. He swims with her to safety unknown to his accomplice. Lydia is reported drowned and Alberti makes a pretense of mourning her death while enjoying his sudden acquisition to wealth. He pays Bernard a sum of money agreed upon and breaks with him. Bernard takes Lydia to Vienna. She is subjected to his hypnotic influence and meekly obeys his every will. Bernard is accompanied on his flight by Fritz, his faithful tool, and the pair meet a young Englishman, Vernon, and invite him to their gaming table. They play for heavy stakes and the young man wins. Having lost his money, Bernard resolves to get Vernon in his power. Acting under his direction Lydia induces Vernon to drink of drugged wine and he is made unconscious, while Bernard, partially concealed, directs her movements. Bernard repairs to the gambling room and becomes involved in a quarrel. He receives a blow which stuns him and he is rendered unconscious, and his influence over Lydia vanishes. She recovers her faculties with a start and is bewildered. Recovering her composure she arouses Vernon, who makes his escape from the window by means of a rope, improvised by using curtains. Lydia is about to follow when Bernard regains consciousness. He returns to Lydia and his shadowy form is seen and, after a brief struggle, she once more succumbs to his influence. Vernon staggers along the street, gradually awakening to the horrors of the situation. He secures assistance and returns to raid the gambling house and rescue Lydia. Bernard and Fritz make good their escape by means of a secret underground passage, through which they intended to convey the body of the girl. Lydia can give no information to the officers as she is still in a dazed condition. Bernard telegraphs Alberti for money, making the demand peremptory and Alberti responds in person. Vernon sees the precious scoundrels at the railway station and follows them to an inn to call the police. In the inn a heated argument takes place between Alberti and Bernard, but Alberti is forced to give Bernard a large sum of money. Just as Bernard is counting the money the police break in upon them. There is a short but decisive duel with pistols and Bernard is killed and Lydia recovers her faculties. She comes to the room where Alberti is being questioned by the officers and appears to Alberti. He believes her to be a ghost of his ward and, in his terror, expires. Later we see Lydia and Vernon at the seaside, happy, and the inference is that they are betrothed, a happy culmination of a tragic story.
- Opening in the lodgings of the Lieut. Buonaparte, then an impecunious young officer, the subject soon introduces us to Madame Sans Gene, Who brings Napoleon his washing and submits to a kiss. Later, in the laundry itself, her rescue of Count Neupport, whom she assists in a wounded state to her own bedroom, is shown. The girl's lover, Sergeant Le Fevre, forces an entrance, but lets the prisoner go to shield his sweetheart. These scenes all contain much effective acting, as does a later one in which the sergeant is instrumental in saving Napoleon's life. The latter has taken the place of a sentry who has fallen asleep at his post and resting on the latter's ride is waiting for him to wake, when a number of Royalist soldiers attack him. Le Fevre, on his rounds, comes to the rescue and secures a pardon for the sentry and promotion for himself. Le Fevre's rise is rapid. Made a field-marshal, he, after the battle of Danzig, is made a duke for his gallantry in saving the colors. At this stage we are given another glimpse of the heroine, who follows her husband's fortunes in the camp. This period introduces some good scenes of camp life, the council of officers, etc. Back at Paris, we find Napoleon in his private cabinet, unaware of an intrigue in progress in which the Empress is concerned, having for its object the escape of Count Neupport, who is entrusted with a letter to the Emperor of Austria. The Count, however, is discovered in the Court disguised, by Napoleon, and captured and condemned to death. Meanwhile, the Duchess of Danzig has visited Napoleon and laughingly shown him the unpaid laundry bill, and the Little Corporal has shown that he is not insensible to her charms. The Duke and Duchess hear of the capture of the Count and bring about his escape, the nobleman being conveyed through the lines in a military cloak and hat. Then they repair together to Napoleon and confess what they have done, to be magnanimously forgiven by the Emperor, after a natural outburst of anger, when he remembers that he owes his life to the man.
- Tom, the young captain of robbers, and his sweetheart, Clara, are living in a small cottage in the wood. She is his good spirit. When his wild companions are coming for him, she always tries to dissuade him from joining them in their lawless doings, and she never lets him go till he has promised her neither to kill any human being nor any animal. One member of the band, the spiteful Jim, is in love with Clara and bores her with his tiresome declarations of love, in fact one day be sneaks away from his comrades, who are just going out plundering, and returns to Tom's cottage in order to make love to Clara, but as she again refuses his brutal caresses energetically, he leaves her, threatening both her and Tom's lives. His threat soon becomes serious, as he walks straight to the nearest prefect of police, to whom he betrays all his companions and offers to guide the soldiers, who are sent in pursuit of the robbers. In a hollow way in the wood the soldiers hide themselves while Jim steals away, and when the robbers unsuspectingly come strolling uphill, they plunge straight into the lion's mouth. It now comes to a close fight between the soldiers and the robbers, during which two of the latter are killed by the soldiers bullets while Tom, after a desperate combat, is fettered and carried away along with two of his companions. Clara, who in a mortal fright has followed the wicked Jim, unfortunately is too late to warn her friend, but she now catches sight of the fleeing Jim. She lies down behind a tree root in wait for him, and by the time he is quite near to her, she jumps forward and stops him with her revolver. When the rascal realizes that he is lost, he tries once more to kiss her, who by her faithfulness towards her friend, has turned himself into a miserable traitor, but he again fails, for Clara is a good marksman, and her bullet kills him. Clara now has avenged herself and Tom, who however is lying in the jail upon a bundle of straw with his hands tied behind his back, while the soldiers are keeping watch in the adjoining room. Yet this hindrance is of no consequence to Clara, who has but the one purpose of releasing her friend. With a basket full of bottles containing narcotics she is admitted into the guard room. The soldiers get drunk, Clara steals the keys and sets her lover free. They both succeed in escaping through the guard room but in the street they are discovered by an officer and a soldier, and although Clara attacks the enemy with the courage and wildness of a tigress, she at last must save herself by taking to her heels. At dusk Tom, in close custody, is carried out into a carriage with his bands still tied behind his back, in order to be taken to the prison in town, but he does not get as far as that. Clara lying on the highroad behind a heap of stones in wait for the carriage, and when same approaches, she springs forward, mounts the carriage steps, seizes the soldier by the throat, till he has lost consciousness, then she throws him into the carriage and releases Tom, with whom she flees into the wood. At a lake she washes the wounds of the half-unconscious Tom who by her help drags himself along to a farm, where Clara threatens the farmer into giving her two horses and after a wild ride, during which Tom is hardly able to keep himself in the saddle, the two fugitives reach their cottage. Shaking with excitement and exhaustion they enter their home, where Tom sinks into a chair, while Clara kneeling before her wounded friend tries to console and encourage him. The pretty picture of a faithful wife's devoted love is, however, abruptly disturbed by a strong noise outside the house. The poor lovers full of despair start to their feet, and at the same moment the shutters are burst open by the soldiers' guns. Once more Clara makes an attempt to save her friend, and the fist soldier who enters the room is killed by her bullet, yet the superiority is too overwhelming and a few bullets make an end of the faithful lovers' struggle. Even at the moment of death the brave Clara uses her last strength to drag herself on toward the dead body of her friend and press a kiss on his pale lips. -- The Moving Picture World, April 4, 1908
- We see here how Homodu is proposing to the future Mrs. Angelo. The rude way in which he behaves results in a box on the ear, whereafter the lady disappears, leaving Homodu to her father's mockery. She meets her lover, Rudolph, in the garden, and they walk up and down for a while, and then they part, promising fidelity to one another. An old street singer runs up to the young lady and asks for protection against some drunken citizens, who are pursuing her. The young lady hides the old woman between the bushes, throws the pursuers off the scent and thus rescues the old singer, who gratefully accepts, without suspecting, that this very cross is once to rescue her own life. Further into the park the singer meets her daughter, Thisbe, to whom she relates her adventure. On her way to the castle the beautiful young lady passes Angelo, tyrant of Padua, accompanied by Homodu. Angelo falls at once in love with her, and swears that he will possess her. Nevertheless his love does not prevent him from being much taken in with Thisbe, when she and her mother one day are dancing for him at the castle. He persuades Thisbe to stay with him as his sweetheart. His gold tempts her and she stays. But as her master after a while returns with his wife, whom he has only been able to win because he was the master, then Thisbe understands that her best days are over, and with all her heart and mind, and with all the heat of her temper, she bates the rival and she swears to wreak a cruel vengeance upon her. She communicates with Homodu, who is just as bent upon revenge as she is herself. One evening, when Angelo and his wife have retired, each to their own bedroom, Homodu persuades Mrs. Angelo's lover Rudolph to go and visit her in her room. Right after Thisbe comes in: she makes Mrs. Angelo understands that she knows Rudolph is in the room, and that she is going to inform Angelo of his wife's infidelity. In the middle of her triumphs Thisbe perceives the cross which her mother once gave to Mrs. Angelo, and at the same moment her hatred changes into gratefulness and pity. Quickly she informs Mrs. Angelo about the danger which threatens her and her lover, and Rudolph hurries away. Just then Angelo rushes in, informed by Angelo about Rudolph's visit. He is in a rage and examines the room closely, yet without finding the lover. Homodu has more luck; he finds Rudolph's hat, which he in the hurry has forgotten, and now Mrs. Angelo's fate is sealed. She is sentenced by her husband to be executed on the next day. "Why wait till to-morrow?" says Thisbe, "let me mix up a poison and make her drink it at once." Thisbe saves in this way the lady's life by exchanging the poison for a harmless opiate, which Mrs. Angelo drinks. She now goes into a death-like sleep, and the supposed dead body is taken to the chapel, accompanied by Thisbe. Now Homodu means to have the first part of his revenge fulfilled. The second part is to inform Rudolph of the death of his sweetheart. The young man is disconsolate. He pulls out his sword, darts into the chapel where Thisbe is keeping watch, and without a word he runs his sword right through her body. Then he draws aside the curtains from Mrs. Angelo's sarcophagus, and kneels down in speechless despair, when suddenly she opens her eyes and sits up. The lovers now rejoice in a heartfelt embrace, but the joy dies away, and their lips get white at the sight of Thisbe's dead body. Trembling with horror, Mrs. Angelo now learns that Rudolph has killed Thisbe, while Rudolph now sees what a terrible deed he has committed. -- The Moving Picture World, April 11, 1908
- After her father's sudden death Dorothy Reynolds finds a temporary home with her friends, Paul and Irene Walter. Monty Sullivan, an adventurer and proprietor of the ill-famed "Red Mouse," represents himself to her as a former business friend of her father, and arranges to have his manager offer Dorothy an engagement at the "Red Mouse," which she, much to her distaste, accepts. In order to ensnare her he soon proposes marriage to her. One of Sullivan's butlers, garbed as a minister, officiates at the mock-marriage, which takes place at Sullivan's home. Dorothy discovers the plot, and at once returns to her friends, through whom she obtains an engagement at the Casino theater. After a successful debut she becomes acquainted with Judge Walcott, who falls in love with her, and after a short while he proposes to her. Sullivan, who has not lost track of his intended victim, threatens to denounce her as his former mistress unless she leaves Walcott. Paul, learning of this, shoots Sullivan, who sends for Dorothy and Walcott and with his last breath brands her. Walcott thrusts her aside, but her grief soon turns into happiness when Walcott learns the truth, whereupon he and Dorothy face a happy future.
- An old gentleman starts out for his afternoon stroll, and while passing along the river front R high gust of wind carries off his hat. In order to avoid the curiosity of passersby, he purchases a cap from a porter whom he chances to meet. This new headgear leads everybody to believe he is a porter, and he is pestered with requests from everyone he meets. The climax is reached when two nervous young ladies ask him to escort them home. On the way he encounters his better half, who suspects him of gallantry, and when reaching home takes vigorous measures to convince him of her displeasure.
- A girl is loved by a clerk and a marquis. She returns the affections of the poorer man, but her father swears that she shall have no other husband but the marquis. The young people make up their minds to elope, and a few mornings later she is missed. Years afterwards we see the girl in her home with her husband. A telegram comes saying that her father is dying. She goes home, but is too late to see her father alive. The mother is left penniless. The marquis offers to provide the mother an income provided the girl will marry him. She finally consents, hiding the marriage from the marquis. He dies a few years later, and the girl is reconciled with her husband.