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A Message to Garcia Synopsis

Spanish soldiers arrive in Cuba and raid the farm of Dolores' father. Father and brother, attempting to protect their home, are arrested and held for court-martial. Captain Hernandez listens to Dolores' plea for their release and taken by her beauty, promises to set them free. His advances to her are interrupted by the sound of a rifle volley. Through the open window, Dolores sees her father fall before the firing squad. For this she kills Hernandez. Running to his home in the mountain fastnesses, she tells Garcia, Cuba's savior, of her act. Political unrest finds the Maine anchored in the Harbor of Havana. Jose, Dolores' brother, hiding from the troops who have killed his father, seeks revenge. Prowling about, he enters a subterranean vault where he sees an officer exhibiting to some visitors, the switch which controls the mines laid in the harbor. The officer and his friends depart, and Jose throws the switch which sends the Maine and its crew to the bottom. Garcia's whereabouts are unknown and President McKinley seeks a man who can deliver a message addressed: General Garcia, Somewhere in Cuba. Of the many who are called, Lieutenant Rowan alone is chosen. Mme. Gonzalles, a spy in America, employed by the Spanish government, is instructed to ascertain the attitude of the United States government, after the sinking of the Maine. She discovers that Rowan is sailing for Cuba with a message for Garcia. Determining that the message must not reach its destination she follows Rowan on his trip across, arranging by wire for his arrest upon his arrival in Havana. A soldier, stopping at a well near Dolores' home, drops a message addressed to Captain Gonzalles, Mme. Gonzalles' brother, informing him that she has arranged for the American's capture. Dolores rushes to Garcia with the news. On board ship, Mme. Gonzalles makes several efforts to get the message, but each time is foiled by Rowan. He learns of the fate that awaits him and when the boat docks, escapes the pursuing soldiers by jumping overboard. Rowan swims ashore and eludes the pursuing Spaniards. Meeting one of the soldiers single-handed, Rowan overpowers him. exchanging his own wet clothes for the man's uniform. Thus, clad as a soldier of Spain, Rowan sets out to roam the wilderness for Garcia. He meets Dolores who, at first frightened because of the uniform he wears, shows her relief and joy when she learns that he is "Americano." He manages to make her understand that he is seeking Garcia. "Butcher" Weyler, Governor-General of Cuba, upbraids Mme. Gonzalles for her failure in effecting Rowan's arrest. Fearful lest Weyler wreak his wrath upon her, Captain Gonzalles, her brother, offers to assume personal responsibility for the immediate capture of Rowan. From the brow of a hill, Rowan and Dolores sight the pursuing party. Capture is imminent and Rowan entrusts his message to Dolores. They part ways and soon Rowan is made a prisoner. Dolores, however, manages to set him free. Again, they start on their journey, but the pursuers soon take up the trail and before long they find themselves ambushed. All hope seems lost. Dolores parts the bushes and reveals in the distance, the house of Garcia. She returns the message to Rowan and bids him hasten on, while she remains behind with his rifle, holding off the attacking troops. Rowan delivers the message, but on his return he finds the bullet-riddled body of Dolores, mute witness to her great heroism. As a sacred memory of the one who made the delivery of the message possible, he takes back home with him Dolores' lace scarf. Back in the barracks the boys are rejoicing at Rowan's success. He is greeted amid wild shouts and cheers, and when the lace scarf comes to view his friend turn to him with an all-knowing smile. But the story of Dolores' sacrifice soon makes them understand and when the call to arms is sounded they march away cherishing the name of the unknown "little Cuban."

Envy Synopsis

Eve Leslie is a poor country girl who wishes she could have fine clothes, motors, and wealthy friends. The person she envies most is famous actress Betty Howard, not knowing that Betty's life has been full of sorry--for years she sought a certain man, and when she found him he was a a desperate criminal who, misunderstanding her kindnesses, tried to blackmail her. Her hard work, too, has affected her health and her physician has ordered her to give up the stage to take a long rest. Betty longs for just the sort of life that Eve has and doesn't seem to appreciate. Through Adam Moore, son of a rich man, Eve hears much of Betty Howard, who is a "pal" of Adam's. One day Betty is motoring with Stanton Skinner, an unscrupulous man who wants her to marry him. Betty collapses and is taken to Eve's home, which is nearby; they become friends. Rocco Erwin, the man Betty has been seeking, attempts to rob Skinner, is caught, and is released only upon Betty's pleas. She tells Skinner who Rocco is. Rocco, himself, does not know. Rocco later comes to Betty for more money, is refused, and throttles her and flees, leaving her for dead. Skinner, who has fallen in love with Eve, invites her aboard his yacht. Rocco follows Skinner to the yacht, where Eve has gone. Rocco asks Skinner to help him escape. Skinner refuses and Rocco attacks him. Rocco learns that Betty is his sister, and attempts to slay Skinner, while Eve crouches nearby frantic with terror. Betty recovers, learns where Eve has gone, and, with Adam to help her, follows to the yacht. In exciting scenes Adam and Betty rescue Eve from her peril and she rests securely in Adam's arms, envious no longer.