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A Man's Law Synopsis

Ruth, a young orphan living with her foster father, Jim Vance, a rough mountaineer, who had no idea of life and how it should be lived. Jules La Clerc, also a mountaineer, of whom nature might be generous enough to say, "he was a man." Through a mysterious cry in the night Jules makes the acquaintance of Ruth. After caring for her through her great sorrow, Jules promises to take her to his friend Mackenzie, at the Du Bois Settlement, where her life will be a continuous ray of sunshine. She refuses, saying there is a shadow. At the Du Bois Settlement, the union of Jules and Ruth takes place. Six years elapse, and God has given them his greatest gift, a baby girl. Jim Vance, through his usual bad habits, is ordered out of La Croix Settlement. Now Jules and Mackenzie become partners, in order to enlarge the interests of the trading post. At midnight a sound is heard by Ruth at the cash drawer. As she goes to investigate, she finds it is Jim Vance, who tells her that if she squeals, he will betray her secret. The next morning Mackenzie makes the discovery and blames Jules for stealing the money. A struggle takes place, in which Ruth intercedes, saying that she saw a man leaving the scene of the theft. Jules disbelieves Ruth and goes in search of the man. At the village tavern, Jules finds his man, Jim Vance, and starts a chase. The darkness of the night causes Jules to lose his trail. The following morning Vance, lighting a cigarette, causes a fire in the woods, which puts Jules on his trail again. After a strenuous chase the men meet face to face. Jules, victorious, faces sunshine with his wife and child forever.

A Woman Alone Synopsis

Nellie Waldron, a light-hearted young girl, living on a prosperous farm with a kindly uncle and aunt, becomes engaged to Tom Blaine, a telegraph operator. Blaine is transferred to a little wayside station, far removed from all other habitation, and before going persuades Nellie to marry him. At first, love for her husband absorbs Nellie's whole thought, but gradually the intense loneliness at the deserted post begins to pall on her and she longs for companionship and her old home. She meets Stephen Carter, Jr., a wealthy idler, traveling about with his father. During his enforced stop at the little station, Carter amuses himself by flirting with Nellie and finds her an eager listener to his stories of life in the big city. However, when he tries to persuade her to go with him she refuses. After his departure, Nellie is more lonely and dissatisfied than ever. Tom, who is perfectly contented, cannot understand her attitude, and resents her longing for other companionship. He upbraids her for complaining and hot words are spoken. Tom arrogantly tells her if she does not like the life, she may return home and remain there. Heartbroken, Nellie goes back to her uncle's house, Stephen again meets her and tries to induce her to go to the city with him. While he is pleading with her, John, who has somewhat repented his hasty action, enters, his suspicions, previously aroused by a note Stephen had written to Nellie, are confirmed when he sees the two together. Denouncing Nellie, he tells her he is through with her and she may go with Stephen. Cast out by her aunt, Nellie leaves for the city to strive to forget her unhappiness. She struggles, but without success. One day she is knocked over by an auto driven by Flynn, who she had known at the Wayside station. Through Flynn, Stephen is informed of her whereabouts and, unknown to her, he secures a position for her and gradually gets her into his debt. Unhappy among her uncongenial associates, Nellie realizes that life surrounded by gayety and people can be equally as lonely as life at a deserted wayside station. Longing for John, she writes, begging forgiveness, and hinting at a great secret. Stephen, feeling that he has waited long enough, reveals the truth of her position to Nellie and demands payment for his favors. While she struggles against his advances, the door is opened and John rushes in. Stephen is thrown out, and husband and wife realize that love is the only thing in the world.