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The Necessary Evil Synopsis

On her deathbed, Frances Jerome secures David Devanant's promise to care for her young son Frank. Frank grows to manhood a wild and reckless fellow, seemingly having inherited his father's proclivity for drink and women; he is eventually expelled from college for marrying a gold-digger during a drunken episode. The girl, Hattie, demands from Devanant a large sum of money in return for a divorce from Frank; Devenant refuses, and Hattie and her brother steal some bonds from the wealthy man. Devanant pretends to believe that Frank stole the bonds and sends him to the tropics, where Frank learns that Devanant had likewise sent his father to the tropics. He becomes homicidal and returns to the United States in time to prevent a wedding between Devanant and Shirley, Devenant's ward, with whom Frank also is in love. Devanant explains to Frank that he had known that Frank did not steal the bonds but that he thought a few months out of the country would do much to develop his manhood. The kind Devanant then dies of a heart attack, leaving Frank and Shirley to find consolation in each other.

Diamonds and Pearls Synopsis

Violetta D'Arcy turns down the proposal of Jack Harrington, whom she believes to be poor, and instead marries the wealthy Robert Van Ellstrom. Her husband's fortune, however, is not sufficient to cover her gambling debts, so she pawns her sister-in-law's jewels and accepts money from Jack's father, who wishes to be introduced into society. When Harrington, Sr. makes improper advances towards Violetta, Robert fights him, and in the struggle, Harrington, Sr. shoots Jack in the arm. Believing that he has killed his son, Harrington commits suicide. Despondent and ashamed, Violetta tries to drown herself, but Robert intercedes and takes her in his arms.