The Shadow of Guilt (1914)
To atone for the ruin and death of Arnold's father, for which he was responsible. Van Dam, a millionaire, takes the young man into his employ as private secretary. Arnold plans to marry Emily, his employer's niece, knowing she is Van Dam's heiress. Emily, however, loves Doane, a young broker, and turns a deaf ear to Arnold's avowals. Van Dam, who favors his secretary's suit, learns of this with anger. Later, the millionaire discovers the love affair between Doane and his niece. He orders the boy from the house. Emily declares her determination to stand by her sweetheart and leaves with him. In rage, Van Dam destroys the will leaving his fortune to Emily and makes out another in favor of Arnold. Due to the millionaire's influence, Doane is ruined. He and his bride are thrown into poverty. Later, Emily begs her uncle for assistance, but the man rebuffs her. Anxious to get hold of the fortune, Arnold attempts to poison the millionaire. His plot is discovered, just as Van Dam is about to go abroad. In desperation, Arnold fells the man and imprisons him in the garret of the mansion, after which he announces that Van Dam has left the country. Later, news is received that the vessel on which the millionaire is supposed to have sailed, foundered with all hands. Doane and Emily are summoned to hear the will read. They learn that Arnold has been bequeathed the entire fortune. Up in the garret, meanwhile. Van Dam accidentally sets fire to the building in an effort to escape. Doane learns of the man's peril. Dashing through the flames, he rescues the millionaire. Arnold, who attempts to interfere, is felled to the floor. Although badly burned, Doane and Van Dam emerge from the house in safety. Arnold revives, but finds himself entrapped in a seething inferno. In the midst of his frantic efforts to escape, the roof collapses and buries the miserable wretch beneath a mass of blazing timbers.
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GenresDrama
Short
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