The Photo Playwright (Apr-Dec 1912)

THE IRON HEEL (Nov. 29).— Old Abner Wiley, a wealthy and crabbed miser, is rescued from some tormenting boys by the son of his bitterest enemy, Robert Gregg. Back in ibe Rebellion days, Wiley and the elder Gregg both loved the pretty Laura. Gregg won her and Wiley has nursed his revenge long after Gregg's death. Discovering the identity of the younger Gregg, Wiley concocts a liendish plan to bring about his revenge. He makes Gregg heir to all his possessions. In his excitement young Gregg leaves his heavy walking stick in Wiley's library. Next morning Gregg is arrested at the breakfast table for Wiley's murder. An investigation of the miser's library reveals the walking stick blotted with blood, and the entire room showing evidences of a struggle. Detective Ross discovers pieces of Wiley's personal belongings in the ruins of a burned house nearby, and Gregg is further accused of having burned the body after the murder. He is tried, convicted, and sentenced to death. On the morning of the execution Ross is at headquarters when one of the attendants passes him with a tray of empty dishes. Instantly Ross recals seeing Wiley's maid coming from the second floor of the old house with a similar tray of dishes. His brain working rapidly, Ross rishes to the Wiley home, places the maid and butler under arrest, then lights a smoke torch, places it in the hallway, and shouts "Fire !" loudly. Suddenly, through the dense smoke, a panel in the wall slides back and old Wiley, trapped like a rat, staggers out in a paroxysm of fear. Captured by Ross, and realizing his dastardly scheme has come to naught, Wiley dies of heart failure, while Ross reaches the jail in time to stop Gregg's execution. BRONCHO BILLY'S MEXICAN WIFE (Nov. 30). — Broncho marries a Mexican girl at the earnest entreaty of her dying father. Later a Mexican singer wins her love and, to get Broncho out of the way, she has him arrested and jailed on the charge of having assaulted her. In a frenzy of rage, Broncho secures the sheriff's revolver, escapes from jail and tracks the pair at his shack. Meanwhile the Mexican singer's sweetheart, jealous of his attentions to Broncho's wife, reaches the shack first and, when Broncho bursts in, gun in hand, he funds the pair dead on the floor, her knife having found both their false hearts. WESTERN GIRLS (Dec. 3). — Netty Parker and her sister, Mildred, two brave Western girls, are instrumental in capturing two notorious outlaws in the cleverest of ways. Returning from town early one evening, they discover two bandits who have held up the afternoon stage, laughing over the division of the loot. Dashing back to the ranch house the girls find that the cowboys have not returned, and daringly resolve to capture the bandits themselves. Donning cowboy costumes they ride back to the bandits' rendezvous, approach them unaware, hold them up at gun s point, bind their arms and start them off down the trail with a noose about their necks. Meanwhile the sheriff has been notified of the holdup, and is securing a description of the outlaws from the frightened passengers, when suddenly the girls appear driving the bandits before them Explanations are made, the girls are warmly congratulated upon their daring bravery, and the sheriff takes the prisoners in charge while the girls start back to the ranch, followed by the cheering cowboys. ALMOST A MAN (Dec. 4). — At the Spinsters' Rest the old maids gaze anxiously through the gate at each passing man, and sigh as they pass by unheeding. Meanwhile, three jovial tramps discover a newspaper and stating that all spinsters are welcome at Spinsters' Rest. Being in need of food and drink, the tramps plan to gain adm it-tarce to the home. Securing some female attire from a trunk in the rear of the theater, the tramps rig themselves up as old maids, gain admittance to Spinsters' Rest, and have the meal of their lives at dinner time. Everything would have passed off serenely if it had not been for the people from the theater, who are searching for the missing clothes with the help of the sheriff. Tracking the tramps to Spinsters' Rest the sheriff enters just as the poor fellows have been found out through one of their number losing his wig in leading a dance. The theater manager identifies the clothes and the sheriff drags the tramps off to the calaboose, while the old maids bemoan the sad fate that again loses them the chance of getting a man. THE SUPREME TEST (Dec. 6). — Eva and Raymond are sweethearts in school, and their betrothal is sealed with a sun-bonnet kiss. In the years that pass Raymond graduates through college, marries Eva and they enter their beautiful new home, the gift of Raymond's father. A few months later, at a fashionable reception, Raymond meets Lois Whitehall, a siren, who fascinates him. In the days that pass he spends most of his time with Lois, and is coldly indifferent toward his pretty wife. Discovering his infidelity, Eva leaves a note, saying she is returning to her mother on the afternoon train, and starts for the railway station. Meanwhile, Raymond discovers that Lois is merely trifling with him, furiously upbraids her and hurries from the house. Arriving home he is handed Eva's note and a moment later reads in the paper that her train has been wrecked and her suitcase found. Crazed over her evident death, Ravmond is about to end his life when Eva enters in time to prevent the suicide. Fortunately she had missed the doomed train. For a moment Raymond 46