- When Jones, a valet, is recommended to millionaire Jelds, he is found to be the beau ideal of his class, servile, soft spoken and with apparently no ambition other than to wait on his master. Patricia Jelds, the millionaire's daughter, has an ardent admirer in Howard Gibbs Paxon, a young society man. They are together constantly, boating, golfing, and motoring. While not formally engaged, it is generally understood that they are to marry. Jelds and his family embark on a southern cruise. Young Paxton is a member of the party and as Jones has made himself practically indispensable, he also accompanies them as general factotum. Young Paxon proposes to Patricia. The girl hardly knows her own heart. However, class environment wins. She has never thought of marrying any other person and accepts. While walking about the deck, Patricia idly picks up a book that lies in a steamer chair. It is "The Equality of Man" and she finds that it belongs to Jones. It seems ludicrous to think of the humble valet entertaining socialistic ideas, but he gravely assures her that such is the case. Patricia discovers that Jones has greater depth than she imagined. While steaming through the beautiful tropics the terrifying cry of "a leak" is heard. All hands take to the life-boats and pull away from the great mass of steel just in time to see it sink below the ocean's bosom. They are tossed about for two weary, dreary days. The water supply is low and the men are half crazed when land is sighted. They gather their remaining strength and pull madly for the shore. As the life-boats approach the shore, a coral reef and the heavy surf capsizes them. Too weak to swim, the small party is washed in by the tide. Upon regaining consciousness hours later, the survivors find themselves helpless. These wealthy persons who have had servants at their every beck and call find Jones the man of the hour. Jones, the humble valet, Jones, the worm whom they have scarcely noticed, is elected head of the community. A sea tortoise is captured. Bananas and edible roots are found, but when it becomes necessary to prepare the food, all turn to Jones. He apportions the various tasks. When Patricia indignantly refuses to cook, Jones quietly says, "They who do not work, shall not eat." The girl meekly does as she is bidden. A chest containing a canister of gunpowder and a bottle of whiskey is washed ashore. Young Paxon and two sailors steal the whiskey when it is put aside for emergency. Crazed by the liquor, Paxon is brought back to camp by Jones. Another man is found in the sand, dead. So ends the terrible punishment for the first crime in the little community. Several days later the camp is attacked by boatloads of savages. The party is again saved by Jones. Patricia realizes that she cares for the man. Jones knows it and when he sights a sail unknown to the others, he has a terrible mental struggle. He knows that Patricia is his if she stays on the island, but if they are rescued she will go back to her own kind. But Jones is a real man and hails the vessel. The party is rescued. Months later Patricia finds that she cannot marry Paxon. She is thinking of the humble valet who proved himself a man among men. And in a different corner of the world Jones has discovered the talents with which God endowed him and is struggling to make himself worthy of Patricia and her high estate.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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