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The Kill-Joy Synopsis

Billie and her father are crossing the plains to the frontier town of "Contentment," an "Eyeless Eden," when he becomes lost in a search for water, falls from a cliff and is killed. Little Billie is picked up by Bob, driver of a merchandise wagon, and is taken to "Contentment" and secreted in his cabin. Bob's suspicious actions arouse the curiosity of his fellow townsmen, who believe he has brought a woman to his cabin. They see him stroking the child's hair as she sleeps, only the back of her head is turned to the eavesdroppers, and, believing their suspicions confirmed, they organize a vigilance committee and procure a rope. Their consternation is overwhelming when they find Billie, but still they are annoyed by her presence. "The Crab" arranges to have her kidnapped by Indians, but in the day intervening the abduction, Billie, with her smile and childish confidence has won over the majority of the "Eveless Eden," including "Sure Shot Mike," "The Denver Kid," "Rattlesnake Pete," and "Death Valley Joe." The abduction is carried out while Bob and his companions are celebrating the adoption of Billie as "The Darter of the Camp." "The Crab" sees the mistake in his plot, and goes to the Indian camp to bring her back, but in the meantime the town has learned that she is missing, and vows death to her abductor. "The Crab" is overtaken as he is bringing her back to "Contentment," but Billie's smiles also have won his heart, and his pleas to her when the noose is tightened about his neck are answered by her interference and the challenge that "she loves her Crab." The crowd desists, and "Contentment" is made a real place of contentment, with "The Crab" included in the list of her "fathers."

The Man Who Was Afraid Synopsis

Young Benton Clune is not a coward at heart. He is a victim of over-zealous mother love which has grown to exert too great an influence over him. When the President's call to arms comes, Clune's regiment of National Guard prepares. Mrs. Clune is terror-stricken. She induces Benton to resign from the unit. His comrades brand him a "slacker," and the girl he loves spurns him. The regiment moves off to war. Lacerated by the taunts which greet him on all sides, Clune's manhood finally asserts itself and he hastens to the front. He finds his regiment in a desperate plight. The enemy, in overwhelming numbers, is threatening to annihilate it. The colonel calls for a volunteer to make a perilous trip for reinforcements. Those who had jeered at Clune held back from what seemed inevitable death. The man they had called "slacker," steps forth. His trip through the enemy lines forms a series of hairbreadth escapes but proves successful in the end. Thus Benton redeems his honor and wins the girl he loves.