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Slander Synopsis

Richard Tremaine, by forging a letter, compromises Helene Blair brings about her divorce from her husband and her separation from her children, and then secures her consent to marry him. She discovers, then, that he already has a wife; that he it was who destroyed her home life by his slanderous lies; she starts out deliberately to revenge herself on him. This she does by inducing his son to fall in love with her. The father is then brought face to face with the dilemma of seeing his son marry a woman with whom he had been intimate, or having his own disgrace brought put into the light. The three finally meet in Helene's apartments, and the son is accidentally shot and killed by a revolver with which the father was attempting to end his own life. The father is charged with the murder of his son, and Helene is the chief witness against him. John Blair, Tremaine's counsel, learns from his wife's testimony of the perfidy of Tremaine. After the latter is sentenced to death, Helene, in a fit of remorse, tells Blair, with whom she is now reunited, that the killing was accidental. Tremaine is freed, and Helene goes back to her rightful place as Blair's wife.

The Governor's Ghost Synopsis

Stuart Homer, backed by the reform party, runs for the assembly. Rev. Richard Walters and his son, Horace, aid him. Homer wants his sister, Alice, knowing nothing of her love affair with Jefferson Blair, a young lawyer. Helen, Homer's wife, knows, however, and opposes the match and an elopement is planned. Helen finds Blair's note to Alice, reading simply, "Come to my bungalow. I love you. We will go away together. Believe me, sincerely, Jeff." Determined to prevent this, Helen starts for his bungalow alone, Homer being at the political meeting. Alice, on her way to Blair, crosses an old bridge to avoid being seen by Walters, who happens in that vicinity. The bridge falls, throwing her unconscious in a deep ravine, where she is exposed to the storm until found by strangers and later brought home. Helen is seen by Walters entering Blair's bungalow. Forming an unjust conclusion, Walters hurries to Homer at the meeting. Homer, not knowing of Blair's love for Alice, goes to the bungalow. Meanwhile Helen has surprised Blair, and shown him the note and told him she intends to wait and take Alice home. At this junction, Homer arrives and upon finding the incriminating note, orders Helen to leave his house and her little girl. Helen is caught in the storm and picked up practically out of her mind by an automobile party of questionable character. Alice is brought home only to die. Her story and Blair's grief convince Homer of his terrible mistake. He is agonized at obtaining no clue to Helen's whereabouts. Helen's despondency makes her a ready convert to the fast life of her companions. After fifteen years, we find Homer as State Governor, his daughter, Mary, away at school, and his wife a leading factor among her associates in their reprehensible career. Fate brings Mary Homer, her daughter, under the consideration of "the Master." Unknowingly she aids in the bringing of Mary into "the Master's" power. Mary's disappearance arouses the Governor's fears, but to avoid the dangers of publicity and disgrace, he puts a detective, Reggie Wilde, on the case. A restaurant is the means of picking the acquaintance of "Crooked Fingers" as Reggie looks easy, and entrance is gained to the house, where "the Master" lives, and Mary is detained. Wilde arrives during an attempted escape of Mary, the result of which is the discovery by Helen of a birthmark on Mary, proving to her that Mary is her own daughter. Helen plans Mary's escape. Meanwhile Wilde, finding the situation with "Crooked Fingers" and his confederates has reached a climax, shows his hand and under forceful "persuasion" the crooks are forced to telephone for the police, and then locked in a closet. "The Master" takes Wilde by surprise, overpowers him in a terrific struggle and stops Helen in her attempt at escaping with Mary. In desperation Helen shoots "the Master" just as the police arrive. Mary has fainted and Helen is arrested for the murder. Wilde takes Mary to the Governor. Blair, now a prominent lawyer, is assigned to the defense of Helen "Smith." On conferring with Helen, he recognizes her, but promises to keep her identity a secret. Mary is the chief witness against Helen "Smith," and during her testimony the Governor recognizes his wife. Tortured and powerless, he hears her testimony, which results in a verdict of guilty. The Governor visits Helen's cell and promises her to keep so that their daughter may not suffer disgrace. Urged by Blair, the Governor decides to pardon Helen, realizing that to do so, he must satisfy the public and get his reasons and thereby bring disgrace on himself and daughter. The decision proves needless, for Helen's weakened condition and refusal of food results in her death before the pardon leaves the Governor's hands. The Governor's Nemesis has disappeared; a Higher Court has assumed jurisdiction; who will be adjudged guilty?