The Brothers (1909)
Two brothers, Ralph and Frank Davis, fall in love with Ethel Daily a winsome lovable little woman and a long-time friend pf the Davis family. The boys have both known her since childhood and, although she has never really loved either, she is more inclined to favor Ralph, because of his more manly principles and unquestioned sincerity. Frank, on the other hand had been an incorrigible lad, untrustworthy and unprincipled; but these traits he had cleverly concealed. Both brothers are employed by Martin & Mathews, a brokerage firm, and are held in high esteem by their employers. Martin is Miss Daily's uncle and, being a bachelor with no nearer relative than his niece. It is generally understood that the young lady will inherit the bulk of his fortune. Both young men call on Ethel alternately and both are heartily welcomed, although she looks with more favor upon Ralph's suit. The boys finally decide to end the suspense of guessing who is to be the winner of the girl, and write letters of proposal to her. She answers them immediately, accepting Ralph, and declining Frank's proposal, explaining that she cannot be other than a good friend to him. Frank arrives home before his brother and finds the notes. Hurriedly be opens the note addressed to him and reads defeat. Tempted by his curiosity to know how his brother fared, be opens the other note carefully, and drops into a chair in despair when he reads the acceptance. Frank suddenly gets an idea, and changing the initials on the notes and envelopes, exchanges the letters. When his brother arrives, Frank laughs boisterously, exhibiting the forged note, and jokingly teases his brother over his defeat. Ralph, overcome and in despair, hurries out of the room. Frank now plans another scheme to make doubly sure of his brother's defeat. The next morning he goes to the office ahead of his brother and the other employees and rifles the safe. Ralph arrives, late, pale and haggard, carrying a suitcase, intending to leave for the West. Martin discovers the robbery and accuses Ralph. Ralph is about to declare his innocence, when a look of appeal from his brother silences him, and, now entirely diffident as to what becomes of him, he decides to shield his brother by taking the blame himself. "Yes, it was I who robbed the safe!" Ralph is sent to prison, and Frank pays court to Ethel. It is her uncle's wish that she wed Frank, and although she does not care for him, she finally consents. Five years have elapsed, and on the morning after Frank's betrothal to Ethel, Ralph is released. Knowing that it was through his sacrifice that Frank was saved, Ralph is confident that his brother will now assist him in retrieving his lost honor, and hurries immediately to Frank's office. As he enters, Frank is speaking to Ethel over the telephone. So dumbfounded is he by his brother's unexpected return, be lays the receiver on the desk and turning in his chair, orders Ralph from the room. Ralph is astounded. He endeavors to refresh his brother's memory, concerning his sacrifice, or at least to awaken his conscience. "But who will believe you, Ralph?" he laughs, utterly unmindful of the girl at the other end of the 'phone, who hears every word. "Who will believe a jailbird? It's no use to try. No one will believe it was I who robbed the safe: your own words condemned you. Oh, this brotherly love is all right in theory, but..." Ralph Davis leaps across the room, crushing his brother in his chair, and seizes the telephone. There is a struggle, and Frank succeeds in retaining the receiver. Ralph quietly speaks to the unknown party at the other end of the wire. "I don't know who you are, but listen to me! I am Ralph Davis, sent to prison for my brother's crime. He sought to ruin me to win a girl. Listen, it was he who robbed the safe." A struggle ensues in which the 'phone is dashed to the floor and the connection broken. The scene alternates between the two brothers in the office and Ethel Daily at the other end of the wire. It is only too evident by her facial expression that she has heard Frank's confession and Ralph's corroboration of it. Hurriedly she dons her wraps and rushes to her uncle's office. She arrives in the midst of the melee, when Frank has overpowered his brother and is about to strike him with a heavy office seal. The girl intercepts the blow and accuses Frank of his crime. The mystery is soon cleared up when the notes of proposal are again produced, the girl accusing Frank of this other perfidy. Ralph and Ethel leave the office and Frank drops into a chair, taking a revolver from the drawer, resolved that self-destruction is his only escape.
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GenresDrama
Short
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