A Tangled Masquerade (1910)
Paul Dunlap and Ralph Ford both love Helen Moore, whose father favors Paul's suit, and finally forbids Ralph the house. Paul, a hypocrite, has completely won over the old man by his mock saintly ways, and the more manly Ralph, although Helen's favorite, finds that he must carry on his wooing under difficulties. Hopeless of gaining the father's consent, Ralph decides upon an elopement, and writes Helen, asking if she will marry him in spite of her father's objection. She writes a reply in the affirmative, making an appointment with him at a coming masquerade, and telling him that she will be costumed as Night, with a star in her hair. Her father discovers her in the act of writing the note and forces her to show it to him. Wrathful at first, he suddenly conceives a plan to put an abrupt end to Ralph's unwelcome wooing. He feigns to give into Helen's pleading and allows her to send the note. However, the old man's sudden generosity has a long strong string to it. On the night of the masquerade, immediately after Helen's costume has arrived, father tells her that he will attend the ball, and that he will do so in the costume intended for her. Forbidding her to leave the house, father goes blithely to the hall, garbed as Night, and chuckling over the anticipated discomfiture of Ralph. But father's plan, though well laid, is upset by Paul. This young gentleman has the prying disposition that fits so well with his general character, and Helen's note, intended for Ralph, has fallen into his hands. Not for a moment does he scruple to open it and take advantage of the information gained. It's Paul for the masquerade, to seek out the lady who is costumed as Night. Father has scarcely left the house before Helen calls Ralph on the 'phone to warn him of father's plan. Explanations over the 'phone follow, and the young people decide that while father is disporting himself with Paul at the masquerade, they will take advantage of the opportunity to elope. Ralph is soon on his way to the house, where he joins Helen, and the two go at once to find a minister. Paul, at the masquerade, meets father, and thinking him Helen, proposes that they elope. Father, thinking Paul is Ralph, delightedly assents, and they set out for the minister's, chance leading them to the same divine selected by Ralph and Helen. Ralph and Helen, married, are just about to leave the parsonage, when father and Paul, in costume, are ushered in. Paul, surprised, tears the mask from father, and Ralph performs a like office for Paul, who thoroughly scared, rushes from the room. Father sees no other course than for him to give his blessing to Ralph and Helen, and he does so with the best grace he can command.
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GenresComedy
Short
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