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The Poverty of Riches Synopsis

Katherine Holt marries John Colby and is desirous of having children, but her husband wishes to wait until he has attained further financial and social success; thus Katherine lavishes her affections on the children of Grace and Tom Donaldson. John is successful and enters wider social spheres, but he still refuses her request for children and neglects the home for business. Nevertheless, she refuses a former suitor, Phillips, when he proposes that she divorce her husband. John finally apologizes for his indifference and promises to fulfill her wishes when he is appointed manager. That evening, in an automobile accident, she sustains injuries that prevent her from bearing children. She reproaches her husband, who realizes he has sacrificed his life in the pursuit of wealth.

The Despoiler Synopsis

In war-torn Europe, Colonel Damien seizes an enemy town, then to persuade the defeated soldiers to give up their ill-gotten money, the Emir of Balkania, commander of the supporting native troops, threatens to unleash his men on the women who are staying in the town abbey. After giving the captured men a payment deadline, Damien collapses in a chair and falls asleep. As he sleeps, the emir goes to the abbey where Sylvia, the colonel's daughter, is staying in secret. He offers to free the other women in exchange for her sexual favors, but after complying with his demands, she shoots and kills him. When Damien discovers the emir's corpse, he orders the assassin shot, and covered in a veil, Sylvia is promptly executed. After her body is identified, the colonel is overcome with grief. Finally, he wakes up in his armchair and, realizing the tragedy was only a dream, orders his troops to leave the town in peace.