Honor and the Sword

Tom Sage, son of a millionaire, is honorably courting Judith Dexter, a clever actress. One day, waiting for her at the stage door after rehearsal, he hears a commotion inside and forcing his way in finds that Leon Martel, the fencing master, has insulted his sweetheart, upon which he promptly knocks the offender down and takes Judith away. He then proposes that they get married and that she shall quit the stage. The actress consents and they forthwith go to a minister, Randolph Sage. Tom's father being informed, is furious; he throws his son adrift and tells him to go out and make a living for his fortune hunting wife. Tom secures a position with a jewelry firm as bookkeeper at a moderate salary, and is well liked by his employers. Figuring up expenses they find that the salary is hardly sufficient, and after a while Judith induces her husband to permit her to open a school for fencing, an art at which she is an expert. Tom unwillingly consents. One day the firm has a call to send some valuable jewelry to a customer and Tom is entrusted with the errand. At the depot he meets a friend and introduces his wife. For a moment he forgets the bag which is on a seat. Martel is there and sees them. With the desire to get square for the blow struck, and seeing the bag, opens it, abstracts the diamonds and the letter of introduction. Tom reports the loss to the firm and they give him five hours to recover or be arrested. Martel visits the house and offers to give up the jewels if Judith will go with him. The wife hands him a rapier and offers to fight him for her husband's honor and her own. Judith forces the fight, but for a while Martel has the best of it, finally Judith disarms him. She seizes the diamonds and drives the fencing master from the house. Tom's father seeing the affair, and admiring his daughter-in-law, forgives all and they are reunited.