Jeffrey Hartmann

Count Hardegg is faced by ruin. He obtains an interview with Goldstein, a factory owner and money lender, endeavoring to obtain a loan. But Goldstein, remembering past transactions, refuses to help Hardegg unless a certain condition is complied with. The condition is that the Countess Helena, Hardeggs beautiful daughter, shall marry Goldsteins son, Henry. Sorrowfully the count acquaints his daughter with the ultimatum, and Helena, in a spirit of filial love, agrees to make the sacrifice. Over the telephone, Hardegg accepts Goldsteins condition, and the usurer gleefully tells his son to prepare for the wedding. So a month later, the marriage takes place, and amid the acclamations of their friends, the pair drives off. But the horses are restive, and at length, getting out of the control of their driver, they dash madly along. Just about this time, the employees of one of Goldsteins factories are trooping home from their work, and one of their number, Jack, seeing the runaways, makes a dash at their heads and effectually arrests their career. Eight days later, Helena sends for Jack in order that she may thank him for his action. He comes sullenly enough, for, discontented with his employers harsh methods, he has been advising his comrades to strike. Helenas whole-hearted thanks and genuine admiration completely soften him, and he becomes henceforth her devoted slave. About this time, Goldstein is killed by an explosion that occurs during an inspection of his factory. The blow of his fathers death has barely fallen upon Henry Goldstein ere another comes to join it. A strike is declared at the works. A deputation waits upon Henry, who refuses, however, to accede to their demands, and Jack, the leader of the deputation, is badly humiliated before his fellows. Meanwhile, Baron Hardegg has been left a vast fortune, and now that he is no longer in pecuniary difficulties, endeavors to persuade his daughter to divorce her husband. This Helena refuses to do. Declaring that to leave her husband when he is in such distress would be an act unworthy of the basest woman. Truth to tell, Helena was gradually falling in love with Henry, who, on more than one occasion, had proved his worth. While out riding, Helena and Henry are attacked by a party of strikers, but are defended by Jack, who enjoins his companions not to harm them, and so, a second time, Jack proves his worth. The count makes another attempt to alienate his daughter from her husband, but without success. Then comes an incident that brings the realization upon Helena that she is really in love with the man who at the outset she was prepared to hate. A fire breaks out in one of the villagers cottages and is soon out of all control. Suddenly, with a cry of alarm, a woman in the crowd remembers her child. Henry, who arrives at this moment, volunteers to save the little one, and flinging off his coat, rushes into the burning building. A moment later he appears at a window, the child in his arms. A pair of willing hands catches the little one as it is thrown down from above. Henry turns to make his escape, but finds all progress barred by a sheet of flame and smoke. Gradually the smoke overpowers him and he falls unconscious. Outside, Helena learns what has happened. She bethinks herself of her friend. Jack, and implores him to save her husband. So Jack follows Henry into the burning cottage, and by a superhuman effort, succeeds in bringing the unconscious man out into the open, and overcome, falls dead at his feet. So, after all, Helena and Henry realize that they love one another, and we leave them in the last scene wrapped in loves embrace. -- Moving Picture World synopsis