His Mother's Portrait
Darrell Blackley, backer of musical comedy show, admires the work of Lotus, and promises her the lead. The next day Lotus goes to the theater to rehearse and, having accomplished it to the satisfaction of Blackley, he promises her the job, but insists that she have supper with him and take a short ride into the country before the show that night. Lotus tries to avoid going with Blackley, but he insists. At the café Blackley drinks freely and when they start for their ride he is pretty well "lit up." His machine breaks down near a farm house, and Lotus runs into the house for protection. She enters a room which has been occupied years before by Bert Hamilton's mother, and which he has kept in the same condition as she left it. She is attracted by the picture of a sweet-faced woman and, raising her hands, she kneels before the picture in supplication, beseeching the gentle woman in the picture to protect her from Blackley, whom she hears entering the house. Blackley breaks in the door which Lotus has locked. She screams and Bert hears her. Before him appears a vision of his mother which points to the house, and, rushing into his mother's room, he throws Blackley out the door. He returns to Lotus, who has fainted. He takes her into the front room and revives her. Blackley secures a team and has his machine towed away. Lotus remains at the farmhouse. The next morning, when Bert is driving Lotus to the station he tells her of his love for her and instead of going to the station they go to the "little church around the corner."
