Plot

Martha Turner and John Reynolds, sweethearts, are talking over their future, when, much to Martha's disgust, she finds her father and Dick Osgood, the city chap, discussing her. Dick takes his leave, being assured that he shall marry Martha. Martha and John approach Martha's father, who emphatically tells the young man that Martha shall marry Dick Osgood and not him. Martha pleads and finally persuades her father to give his consent upon one condition, that John shall make $1,000 within a year. Picking up a magazine, John sees an advertisement of a $1,000 photoplay contest, which is to close April 30, 1915. He decides he will write a scenario. While planning his plot he decides at once that Martha shall be a beautifully gowned society girl, Dick Osgood, the city chap, and the villain, and last of all, he, himself, a successful artist. He writes the following story: Martha, now in the city, driving her machine, is in an accident. John, the successful artist, upon entering his studio, hears the crash, goes to her assistance, and takes her to his studio where he gives her a stimulant. John gives her his card, and invites her to call again. Upon her arrival home, she decides to tell her husband all about her experience, and he, upon hearing that the artist must be rich, thinks he can get some easy money, so insists that Martha 'phone John and invite him to call the next day, planning to return as the unexpected husband and demand a check for several thousand dollars. Martha absolutely refuses, but at the point of his revolver does as he bids. Next day arrives and John calls up Martha. Then Dick and his friends enter the scene, tell John that he will kill him unless he comes across with a check, for he is her husband and has heard everything. John complies. Dick and his companions leave, but first place Martha in a chair with his revolver pointed at John. When Dick leaves, John turns upon Martha and says he thought she was a good woman, but her little game worked. Martha is very repentant, assures John she is good, and couldn't help doing what she did. John won't believe her, and is about to go when Martha persuades him to listen to her story. She tells him that Dick Osgood was the catch of the season and her father insisted that she marry him. Dick does not care for this, so writes Martha a letter and asks her to elope with him. The night of the elopement comes, Dick comes to town, 'phones some of his friends and tells them he wants one of them to impersonate a parson. Everything is arranged. Dick brings Martha to the inn and they are supposed to be married, but later she learns the truth while in her city home. Dick, with his drunken friends are playing cards and the supposed parson tells of the mock marriage performed at the inn. Martha overhears and from then on vows she will get even with her supposed husband. Then the picture fades back to Margaret telling John that she will get even with Dick this night, and will return him the money Dick has taken from him with interest. John now believes Martha and takes his leave. That night Dick returns in a drunken rage. They quarrel. Finally he throws a chair, and furniture, lamps and other articles fly. The room is ablaze. Martha strikes Dick over the head and flies for her life. She goes to John and explains to him that she has not the money, but that she had killed Dick. John and Martha go to the window and watch the house burn, but John tells her not to fear, he will engage the best lawyers in the country to defend her. Then the butler enters and tells about the fire. Martha excitedly inquires if anyone was saved and receives a negative reply. John then takes Martha in his arms and says we won't need those lawyers now. That is the end of John's story. Ten days later John calls on Martha and tells her what he has done. The postman comes along and gives John an envelope. He is very nervous when he sees it is from the Universal Film Manufacturing Company and cannot open it, so Martha does, and much to their amazement, find a check for $1,000, and also a complimentary letter and an offer of a position in their scenario department. They rush to Martha's father and show him the letter and check for $1,000. When he sees both he is not very pleased, but having given his consent, must live up to it. However, he says, "If it weren't for those movin' pitchers he would never have gotten her."—Moving Picture World synopsis