The Red Lane

Summary

Marie Beaulieu, freshly released from a convent's cloistered walls, returns to her coastal hometown only to discover that her father, the iron‑fisted chieftain of a smuggling syndicate, has plotted her marriage to his henchman Dave Roi. Defiant, Marie flees with the aid of Norman Aldrich, an American customs officer whose sense of duty collides with his growing affection for her. They seek refuge in a modest hamlet where Father Leclair offers sanctuary. Incensed by her escape, Beaulieu kidnaps Marie, prompting a violent confrontation in which the patriarch is slain. Aldrich is arrested for the killing until a dim‑witted shepherd confesses to the murder, citing an ancient vendetta. Exonerated, Aldrich is elected to purge the town of smugglers and ultimately wins Marie's hand, sealing a union forged in rebellion and redemption.

Synopsis

After returning home from years spent in a convent, Marie Beaulieu (Lillian Rich) is shocked to discover that her father, the leader of a band of smugglers, wants her to marry Dave Roi, one of the members of the band. Marie refuses and runs away, aided by Norman Aldrich, an American customs officer, to a small town where she is befriended by Father Leclair. Enraged by his daughter's escape, Beaulieu kidnaps Marie, but Aldrich comes to her rescue and during the struggle the smuggler is shot and killed. Aldrich is arrested for the murder until a half-witted shepherd confesses that he killed Beaulieu to avenge an old grudge. Aldrich is then elected to rid the town of the smugglers and wins Marie for his wife.