Summaries

Synopsis

The Governor of a western state must fill a vacant United States Senatorship. His choice narrows to two members of the same law firm, Gerard Hale, generous and sincere, the junior partner, and Luther Snaith. A cloud has recently risen between the young men, as they are both in love with the Governor's daughter, Marion. Gerard's mother's health has been delicate since the death of Gerard Hale, Sr., and the doctor states her heart is affected, and any shock would cause her death. The Governor admits to Gerard that he is hesitating between Snaith and himself, and Gerard speaks up for his junior partner. Gerard takes Marion to a dance. Snaith proposes and is refused. Believing his partner is the lucky man he taxes Marion with it. She intimates her affection for Gerard, but that he has not yet spoken. In the meantime, Tom Shores, released from the penitentiary, finds his sister Mary with a two-year old child. She explains she has married since he has been away. He becomes suspicious and forces her to tell the truth. She says the man's name is Hale, and she has not seen or heard from him for over a year. Tom swears to "get" the man who has deceived her. The papers carry an announcement of the Governor's indecision as to a choice between Hale and Snaith. Mary and her brother arrive at the offices of Hale and Snaith, and Mary forces her brother to wait until she has seen Mr. Hale. She meets Snaith and assures him her business with Gerard is personal. She sees Gerard and recognizes a picture of his father. It is the elder Gerard she wishes to see. She is informed that he has been dead for over a year. Overcome with emotion she rushes from the office. He runs after her but loses her in the crowd outside the building. In the meantime Tom has seized Snaith and given away enough of the situation to arouse Snaith's suspicions. Snaith is delighted to have something on his partner, and engages detectives to seek the couple. That night Tom succeeds in finding the home of Gerard Hale and breaks in, determined to have a reckoning with the supposed betrayer of his sister. They struggle, and Gerard is victorious. Gerard denies the charge, but Tom demands that he face Mary and the baby and himself. Gerard faces Mary the next day and she tells her brother of the mistake. Gerard, overcome at his father's dereliction, gives Mary a check for fifty thousand dollars. As Mary and Tom leave, the detectives seize and examine them. Mary has with her a bundle of letters from the elder Hale. Mrs. Hale and Marion stopped in at the office when Mary and Tom are brought in to be identified. Mary insists Gerard can vouch for her. Gerard is forced to say the letters and check are his. It is the only way to save his mother from the shock of learning the truth. Marion leaves, but Mrs. Hale insists upon taking her and the baby home. Mrs. Hale leaves with Mary. Snaith receives two of the Hale letters from the detectives, and learns it is the elder Hale who is the delinquent. Mrs. Hale is upset over the affair and confined to her bed. Snaith calls to show Gerard the letters and says unless the latter refuses the position of Senator he will deliver the letters to Mrs. Hale. Gerard orders him out and Snaith draws a gun. The two men struggle and the gun is discharged. The noise arouses Mrs. Hale. She reaches .the library and falls in a faint. Mary and the butler carry her back to her room. Mrs. Hale feels her end approaching and asks Gerard to do his duty and marry Mary. He agrees. Mary insists she will tell Mrs. Hale, but Gerard refuses, because it would be fatal to his mother. The minister comes. In the meantime Mary telephones for Marion and tells her the truth. While Mary is proceeding to Mrs. Hale's bedroom, Gerard tells her that it is too late, as his mother is dead. So Gerard is not forced to make the supreme sacrifice.