The River of Romance

Summary

Rosalind Chalmers, a vibrant New York socialite, orchestrates a clandestine escape to the bucolic Thousand Islands, seeking respite from the persistent, unwelcome advances of Reginald Williams. A mishap with the last ferry strands her, leading to an unexpected encounter with "Sam," a seemingly unassuming boatman whose dilapidated craft belies a hidden identity: William Kellogg, scion of the formidable Davidson fortune. Kellogg, in an act of self-imposed penance, has embraced the persona of "One-Cylinder Sam" to earn restitution for a valuable vase he inadvertently shattered during his uncle Henry Davidson's absence. His entrepreneurial spirit now sees him ferrying passengers between the verdant islands. A twist of fate, however, reveals Rosalind's unexpected aptitude for mechanics as she expertly revives Sam's faltering motorboat. Upon reaching her friends, the Witherbees' island, a nocturnal misstep triggers a burglar alarm, propelling Rosalind into a frantic flight. Amidst the ensuing chaos and echoing gunshots, she commandeers a small boat, only to be drawn into a dramatic pursuit on the river. She encounters Kellogg once more, still believing him to be a common thief, yet an inexplicable, potent attraction compels her to aid his escape from the pursuing vessels. Their subsequent days unfold in a shared, idyllic simplicity amidst the island's charm. The facade of "Sam" eventually cracks at a grand hotel dance, where Kellogg, resplendent in evening attire, sweeps Rosalind into a moonlight promenade. There, he declares an audacious, fervent love, vowing to marry her, consent notwithstanding. Terrified by his intensity and her lingering conviction of his criminal nature, Rosalind finds herself scooped up and carried to his boat. The ill-fated vessel, however, strikes a submerged rock mid-stream, casting them into the river. Kellogg heroically swims Rosalind to his uncle's island, offering to "break into" the mansion for dry clothes. Despite her persistent suspicion, her need for warmth prevails. Inside, Kellogg sheds his disguise, donning fresh attire, and is joyfully reunited with his uncle. He presents a purse, brimming with the hard-earned funds for the vase, then triumphantly introduces Rosalind, who, with a profound sense of relief, discovers that her ardent suitor is, in fact, an honorable man, not the burglar she had so fearfully imagined.

Synopsis

Rosalind Chalmers, a New York society girl, goes on an unannounced visit to her friends, the Witherbees, at the Thousand Islands, primarily for the purpose of escaping the unwelcome attention of Reginald Williams. She misses the last boat to their island, and is taken over in the decrepit motorboat of an interesting young man known as Sam. Sam is really William Kellogg, heir to the Davidson millions. During the absence of his uncle, Henry Davidson, Kellogg has broken a handsome vase, and decides to earn the money himself to pay for it. So as One-Cylinder Sam he begins to carry passengers between the islands. On the way to the Witherbee island Kellogg's motor goes dead. Rosalind's hobby is motors, and she puts the engine in working order in no time. When they reach the island the family has retired for the night. Rosalind tries to climb in a window, but sets off a burglar alarm, and runs to escape the people who come to investigate. Startled by shots, she takes a small boat, and goes out into the river. She hears more shots, this time for Davidson Island. From angry voices she learns that the supposed burglars are there, too. Two motorboats set out. Soon the engine of one goes dead, and Rosalind goes to help. Kellogg, whom she knows as Sam, and whom she things is a burglar, is in the boat. But in spite of this she starts his engine for him, on account of the strange attraction he has for her, and aids his escape from the pursuing boat. Rosalind and Kellogg thereafter see a great deal of each other in the simple life of the islands. At a hotel dance he appears in his evening clothes, and after getting Rosalind to dance with him, induces her to go for a short walk in the moonlight. He tells her he is madly in love with her, and that he is going to marry her, with her consent or without it. She still thinks he is a burglar, and is frightened. He picks her up and carries her to his boat, but in mid-stream the boat strikes a submerged rock and sinks. Kellogg swims ashore with Rosalind to his uncle's island. He offers to break into the house and get some dry clothes for her and though still thinking he is a burglar she consents. Kellogg arrays himself in fresh clothes, and is greeted joyfully by his uncle. Kellogg hands him a purse containing the money for the vase, earned by his efforts as "One-Cylinder Sam," and introduces him to Rosalind, who is relieved to know that the man she is going to marry is not a burglar.