Compare Films

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?

Springtime Synopsis

Madeline De Valette is betrothed to her father's cousin, Raoul De Valette, arrangements having been made when she was but a child. Valette requests his cousin's presence at his home to be presented to his fiancée. Raoul has been carrying on a love affair with L'Acadienne, a beautiful Creole who loves him devotedly. Much against his wishes, he is compelled to leave L'Acadienne. In spite of her pleadings and threats, he sets out for the Valette home. Her jealousy prompts her to follow Raoul and disclose their love affair to his fiancée's father, and thus prevent the marriage. Madeline is in the springtime of her youth. She is fully aware of her coming marriage with Raoul, but the realization of what it means does not occur to her. She has been rehearsed daily to prepare for her first meeting with her fiancé. Raoul finally arrives at the Valette home. Although disappointed, she accepts Raoul, as a duty to her father, whose earnest wish is that she shall marry a Val De Valette. At this time the United States is at war, and there is a call for volunteers. Wolf, a backwoodsman, has been recruiting a company of citizens to help Andrew Jackson to fight the enemy at New Orleans. Gilbert Seele, whose father owns the estate adjoining the Valette's has enlisted, unbeknown to his father, who has opposed his going away. Gilbert's father, who has purchased most of the Valette property, learning of Valette's poverty, desires to buy the Valette home. In spite of their previous business transactions, Valette and Steele are not on friendly terms. Steele sends Gilbert to Valette to negotiate the sale of Valette's home. While there. Gilbert meets Madeline. He immediately falls in love with her, and she, in her innocence returns it. Valette is angry at Gilbert for daring to expect love from a lady who was already betrothed. He also refuses to listen to Steele's proposition to buy his home. Gilbert is ordered from the house, enraged at the harsh treatment accorded him. Madeline, who fears that Gilbert is angry at her, runs after him to explain. She is unable to overtake him, but the thought of never seeing him again terrifies her and she continues to follow Gilbert. Gilbert is to join the recruits at sundown. He secretly leaves home, and Madeline, arriving there, finds him gone, but she does not give up her march. In the meantime. L'Acadienne has arrived, and meeting Raoul, she threatens to expose him. Raoul manages to persuade her to remain silent by telling her that his marriage with Madeline will not part them. This satisfies her. Raoul, seeing his opportunity for breaking the betrothal, asserts that Valette could not expect him to marry Madeline now. Valette allows him to depart. He is immediately joined by L'Acadienne and they return to New Orleans. Madeline's condition is serious. Her mind is afflicted by the shock, but her father does not relent, declaring that her condition is her punishment. Crawley's report is soon found to be false for Gilbert, Wolf and the recruits return. They have been victorious. Crawley, fearing Wolf's and the people's wrath, seeks aid from Father O'Mara, who promptly hands him over to Wolf and the people who are searching for him. Crawley receives a just punishment. Gilbert learns of Madeline's condition, and efforts are made to recover her reason. A plan is decided on, the result of which causes Madeline's recovery. Valette, learning the real facts, offers his sanction to the betrothal of Madeline and Gilbert.