A Soldier's Duty
The Lieutenant John Miller, U.S.A., receives a note from his southern sweetheart chiding him for not getting through the enemy's lines to visit her. His pride determines him, and going to his general he asks leave of absence. The general tells Miller that leave of absence will be given him on condition that he purposely gets captured in his fiancée's home with a decoy dispatch on him. Miller refuses, then the general reminds him that his first duty is to the flag. His patriotic appeal decides Miller and he consents. How Miller by a trick gets through the enemy's lines and arrives at his sweetheart's house; how he is tempted; how, by a superhuman effort, he masters himself and sends crashing to the floor a large marble bust which causes his capture; how the decoy note works and the enemy is utterly routed; how the remnant return to avenge themselves on Miller, and are only prevented from shooting him by the strategy of Grace; all these scenes must be witnessed to be appreciated. The closing scene, five years later, is something to be remembered. Picture in your mind a stately colonial mansion, now utterly ruined. Grace's father slumbers by the door. To this scene returns Jack Miller, and he is confronted by Grace, who tells him that however much she may have loved him, she can never forget the suffering he has brought on her and hers.Jack turns to go. He is recalled by the father, who tells him that after all he did his duty as a soldier and the lovers are reunited.
