Madge O'Mara supported a semi-invalid mother by working as a cashier in Portuguese Joe's chop-house. Reginald Van Dorn, returning from college, goes "slumming" with some fashionable associates, and happens into the chop-house where Madge O'Mara is the chief ornament. He is interested in sociology, and finds in this girl a most fascinating and charming study. He soon discovers her fine qualities, and becomes attracted to her by something more than platonic friendship, but as an honorable man, makes honorable advance. The repeated visits of this handsome youth incurs the hatred of Portuguese Joe. He and his confederates plot to do away with Reginald. In the meantime, he has affronted Madge, but her poverty compels her to keep in his service. This, the small-minded Portuguese believes is to be his ultimate triumph. One night he sends her out for change when he learns that Reginald is coming. Reginald arrives and is decoyed into an adjoining room, bound, gagged and prepared to have a long stay in the tide that seethes below the floor of the rickety old building. Madge returns before she is expected. The conspirators are throwing Reginald through the window into the river when she seizes a knife from one of the villains, and clenching it between her teeth, jumps into the water after the helpless victim. She swims to the bound man, cuts the ropes that bind him, and supports him ashore. She then makes her way with him to her own modest home nearby. There she and her mother nurse him back to life. She telephones his palatial home on Riverside Drive, telling his parents where their son is. They come early nest morning in their limousine, together with Corine Rower, Reginald's fiancée. This brings about a crashing contrast between Madge in her plain raiment and her lowly surroundings, and the fashionable woman of money and her intolerant social parasite Corine. Instead of thanking the young girl for the great work in saving their son's life, the pompous old father threatens to disinherit him unless he turns his back upon the chop-house cashier, forever, while the mother is lofty beyond compare, and the priggish young woman snippy to a degree. They leave poor little Madge with her delicate mother in a condition of mind that is pitiful. She, however, believes that Reginald has true manhood and will return; instead, however, comes a letter, enclosing a check from his father, for her kindness in saving his life. Tearing the check and her wedding garments simultaneously into bits, she vows to kill the man if she ever again comes face to face with him, no matter when or where. Three years pass quickly. Madge has seemingly forgotten her troubles, and becomes skilled as a trained nurse. In the interim, Reginald has married and been desperately unhappy, so that when he meets with a terrible accident, he feels that death would be truly welcome. He is carried to his own home unconscious, and the doctor, after applying first aids to the injured, telephones for a nurse. Singularly enough, Madge O'Mara is sent in response to the hurried call. At first, owing to the bandages, she does not recognize the patient. Then all at once it dawns upon her. The bitterness of the passing years come up to her heart. Then as he tosses in delirium she hears her own name, hears the story again of his great love, of his disappointment, and the darkness of his own life. Instead of administering the death drop, she swiftly and tenderly soothes the suffering one who has been in reality hers, at least now is for the rest of the night. Only the dawn ends for her that perfect possession which is the ultimate happiness of the woman who loves. This can be met when it comes. Tonight is tonight, and it is in her hands to give him surcease from pain, ease to the man she loves. Even the great social rift that swallowed up their love has been bridged as she kneels in happiness by his side, and he holds her calm, strong hand in perfect peace. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis

• Plot Summary

• high-society
• new-york-city
• nurse
• See All (3) »

• Short
• Drama