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A Mother's Ordeal Synopsis

A Modern Magdalen Synopsis

Unhappy surroundings and cruel parents force Katinka Jenkins to lead a very dissatisfied existence. The mill foreman becomes attracted by her, and makes advances which Katinka resents. Joe Mercer, a worker, is in love with Katinka, but the desperate girl chooses Lindsay, the rich mill owner. The girl's father, in order to obtain a petty loan, promises his daughter's hand to Joel Brinker, a money lender, who forces his attentions until Katinka leaves home. Katinka, ignorant of the fact that Lindsay is already married, proceeds to live a gay and reckless life, never forgetting, however, to send her family enough money to live on. Later, through Lindsay's influence, Katinka becomes the famous "Madcap" dancer. A reform movement, headed by John Strong, is started, in order to stop Katinka's disgraceful performances. Katinka's extravagance forces Lindsay to borrow money in order to pay the mill hands' wages. Ignorant of Lindsay's financial condition, Katinka continues her reckless living. The men demand their wages, and a strike at the mill is barely averted. Believing John Strong, who has fallen in love with her sister, Olivia, to be a reformer in name only, Katinka invites him to join a gay party which is given by Lindsay in her honor. Strong is at first shocked, but the gaiety of the occasion, and Katinka's hospitality towards him, soon makes him forget the real purpose of his visit. The mill owner is unexpectedly called away as the strikers, on the verge of riot, are only held back by Joe Mercer's great influence with them. As Strong is making desperate love to Katinka, Olivia and her father enter, and Strong is shown up in his true colors. After all the others have gone, Brinker, who is also a guest at the party, remains and tells Katinka of Lindsay's financial condition, at the same time telling her of his great love for her. Remorseful, Katinka orders Brinker out of her home, and for the first time realizes how much her reckless life has cost. Joe Mercer learns of Katinka's affair with Lindsay. Losing control of himself, he returns and arouses the workers to riot. They attack Lindsay as he is leaving the mill. Lindsay's wife leaves him, and later the mills are destroyed by fire which makes his ruin complete. The unhappy Katinka learns of the life she has wrecked. Remorseful, she decides to end her misspent life by suicide. This is prevented by Joe Mercer. After strong persuasion, Katinka promises to reform, and become a nurse in the United States Army. Joe also enlists. Her reformation becomes complete when she shows great bravery in the yellow fever camp. Joe has been stricken with the disease and is aided to recover by Katinka. who at last realizes that love from the poor is far better than luxuries from the rich.