Summary
In an audacious feat of theatrical public relations, the cunning press agent 'Inky' Ames orchestrates an elaborate deception, fabricating a sensational narrative that positions aspiring actress Anitra St. Clair as the long-lost scion of the formidable copper magnate, Theodore True. Astonishingly, True, ensnared by the artifice, embraces Anitra as his progeny. Their newfound familial bond is swiftly tested when a telegram from Bud Haskel, True's representative in the rugged West, summons them to inspect a newly unearthed copper mine. Concurrently, Haskel, a benevolent figure, dedicates himself to educating Romany, a spirited young woman from a local gypsy encampment, who finds herself caught between the affections of Zinga, the chief's son, and the threat of an arranged marriage. Romany, yearning for self-determination, seeks Bud's assistance in escaping her familial constraints, an act that ignites Zinga's jealous suspicion and fuels his relentless pursuit of Bud. Meanwhile, Anitra, chafing under the decorum of her fabricated identity, reverts to her former bohemian ways, finding a willing accomplice in True's conniving nephew, Hobart. This indiscretion incurs the wrath of Inky, who, now disillusioned, resolves to expose Anitra's charade to True. Romany, enlightened by her studies and embracing her burgeoning intellect, eagerly anticipates her integration into society, symbolized by her first social gathering where she is reunited with Bud. That very evening, Romany inadvertently witnesses Hobart pilfering from his uncle's safe, though the full extent of his transgression remains veiled to her. The intricate web of deceit begins to unravel as Inky, seeking to disabuse True of Anitra's pretense, confides in Bud about the fabricated lineage. Zinga's persistent shadowing finally yields fruit, leading him to Romany. A poignant letter from Romany to True expresses her gratitude but declares her departure, leaving her heartbroken and, tragically, a suspect in the theft from True's safe. However, the truth ultimately prevails: Anitra's elaborate masquerade is unveiled, prompting Hobart's confession to his uncle regarding the stolen funds. Bud, locating Romany, persuades her to return to the True mansion. In a dramatic turn, Bud secures Zinga's release from incarceration, where the gypsy had been held after promising a crucial revelation to True. Zinga, in a moment of profound truth, discloses that Romany is, in fact, True's biological daughter, having been raised by the gypsies and named Romany, with Zinga having harbored his own desires for her hand. Overjoyed by the recovery of his true daughter, Theodore True witnesses Romany and Bud pledge their enduring love.
Synopsis
"Inky" Ames, theatrical press agent, through a fictitious story makes it appear that Anitra St. Clair, an actress, is the long lost daughter of Theodore True, the copper king. True accepts the actress as his daughter, and they, in answer to a telegram from Bud Haskel, representative in the west, decide to go westward immediately to inspect a newly-discovered copper mine. Bud Haskel is, incidentally, volunteer "school master" to the flower of a gypsy camp, Romany. The girl is loved by Zinga, son of the gypsy chief. Upon her father's threat to wed her to Zinga, Romany seeks the help of Bud, who aids her to escape. Zinga suspects Bud of conniving at Romany's escape and follows him constantly. Irking under the restraints of her new life, Anitra decides to give her former gayeties a whirl and finds in True's nephew Hobart, a willing assistant. She incurs the enmity of "Inky," who resolves to put True wise to the fact that the actress is not really his daughter. Romany, with the broader knowledge of life imparted to her by books, turns to her new world with keen expectancy, and is glad to receive Bud again at her first party. That same evening Romany discovers Hobart at his uncle's safe, but does not discover the fact that Hobart has extracted money from the strong box. Determined to make True see that he is being imposed upon by Anitra, "Inky" seeks out Bud Haskel, telling Bud that the actress is not True's daughter, and that he ("Inky") has cooked up a press stunt to advertise the show she was in. Zinga's persistent shadowing of Bud to uncover Romany's whereabouts succeeds at last. One development is that Romany writes a letter to True stating that she has been grateful to True and Haskel for their kindness, but that she must leave the True home; that she is broken hearted. Romany is then suspected of taking the money from True's safe, but after Anitra's deception is exposed to True, Hobart confesses to his uncle that he (Hobart) is the guilty one. Bud discovers Romany's whereabouts and persuades her to return to True's mansion. Bud also secures Zinga's release from prison, where he has been confined upon Zinga's assurance that he has a revelation to make to Mr. True. The gypsy tells True that Romany is really True's daughter; that when the girl grew up Zinga wanted her for himself. That the gypsies named her Romany. True is happy in the recovery of his daughter, and Bud and Romany plight their troth.
