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The Soul's Cycle Synopsis

In the ancient philosophies and religions the idea of reincarnation and transmigration of the soul played a large part. This photoplay is founded on the assumption that in the immortality of the soul many cycles must be re-lived to round out its perfection, and when one defiles the divine law he must go back to first principle, and even into the animal form, to work up again to his former estate. The story involves two epochs. It begins in the old Grecian time and revolves around one Theron, a Grecian Senator who has grown old, and to whom honor has come, but not love. Nadia, the innocent young daughter of a Greek nobleman, inspires passion in his breast, and he sells his soul to the evil of hatred and revenge when she scorns his advances and gives her heart to the poetic Lucian. The father of Nadia is ambitious and connives with the Senator to crush youth and love. "Love laughs at locksmiths" and the young people elope. Then the Senator sets loose the dogs of hatred and has them brought by his slaves to a burning crater, into which he throws them. For this sin the unseen arbiter of souls condemns him to enter the body of a lion and to roam the earth even unto the end of time, unless he shall save youth and love even as he has killed them. The story then switches to events of a century later. Youth and love have been reincarnated into a lovely young daughter of an American millionaire and into the soul of a young broker on Wall Street. The young broker has, as trophy of his African travels, a magnificent lion, which he installs in his mansion. When he and the young girl meet they seem to live over a dream of some olden time. Love draws them together and they are married, but the rival of the young broker allows hatred to possess him and sets about to ruin him. In the meantime, the young wife has a profound influence over the magnificent beast. At the crisis of her husband's fortune a vision of a terrible abyss comes to her as a warning, and she persuades her husband to change his order for stock. This vision is the unseen message of the Senator, speaking through the lion. The other young broker, thinking to triumph over his helpless victim goes to the house and tells her that her husband is ruined. The husband returns and chastises him for an insult to his wife. Leaving the room, the villain enters the room where the lion is caged. A hideous revenge forms itself in his mind. He lets the lion loose, but instead of killing the young people the lion seems to have elected himself their protector, for he leaves the room at the young wife's command and returns to the other room and kills the rival, apparently stamping out evil and saving youth and love. His crime of centuries ago is thus atoned and the spirit rises for a moment triumphant, but the endless cycle of justice goes on and the modern man must work out his destiny even as has the ancient.

The Night Riders of Petersham Synopsis

Richard arrives at Petersham to claim his inheritance papers from his guardian and uncle, J.B. Coke, Petersham's leading citizen. He meets Emily Burnay and learns that her father, the editor of the local paper, has many enemies on account of declaring that some of Petersham's prominent residents run an illicit still in the hills. Coke has confiscated Richard's securities and plans to conceal the fact. Richard and Burnay become friends and when the editor is warned to beware of the "Night Riders," Richard decides to stand by his friend. One night Coke steals a box supposed to contain Richard's securities. Richard stabs at him, misses him and cuts off a piece of Coke's sleeve. Coke escapes and Richard goes downstairs, awakens his uncle, who is feigning asleep, and tells him of the occurrence. Burnay is again warned by the "Night Riders." Emily and Richard, now lovers, gain the everlasting gratitude of Job Trainor, the village blacksmith, by caring for his little daughter when she is injured. The "Night Riders" capture Elmer, the editor's son and he recognizes among them a well-known citizen. They bind him and set him adrift on a raft. Richard discovers the boy's plight and rescues him. Bringing him to Burnays office, Richard finds the "Riders" have left a note, threatening to burn the place if another edition of the paper is published. Burnay declares his intention of getting out the next one in spite of their threats. The edition is printed and Richard distributes it. Emily asks Job's assistance and he gets together several friends, all fully armed, bringing them to Burnay's house at night. "The Night Riders," masked in long hoods, and led by Coke, ride up and demand that Burnay give up his press. On being refused, they start to fire the building. Burnay and his men then rush out and after a terrific fight, drive the "Riders" into full retreat. Coke and Richard grapple. The former's mask is torn off and he is about to shoot the astonished Richard when Job grasps his wrists. Later, Richard finds his uncle packing up the dagger-ripped coat. Coke then confesses and telling Richard the estate is now his, departs forever. Richard, tired out, sinks in a chair and dreams of what we all naturally anticipate, his happy marriage to Emily.