Three Men and a Woman (1914)

Duncan Cadman, a civil engineer, is much older than his wife, Olive, who is very much of a butterfly. The two quarrel when Duncan, thinking she is ashamed of his lack of society manners, objects to going to a reception with her. She meets John Temple, who is Cadman's direct opposite, and is for the moment interested in him. Temple becomes infatuated with Olive, and his bold attentions cause many an embarrassing moment for Olive. Cadman misconstrues what he sees of the affair and becomes jealous. Howard Brooks, Cadman's young assistant, is badly injured about the time Cadman is called south to work on some lighthouse construction. Ho brings him to his own home and when he leaves, fearing Temple's nearness, places Olive under his protection. Brooks has already fallen in love with his nurse and her pity and sympathy for him and her pique at Cadman's attitude bring about a fooling she thinks is love for Brooks. When a friend from the south writes Brooks to take a trip south in his yacht, he gets Olive to run away with him. Temple has overheard the arrangement and ships with a motley crowd as one of the crew, there being a seaman strike on at the time. Olive regrets the move when they are out of sight of land and begs to be taken back but Brooks refuses. That evening fire breaks out and the crew become panic stricken; so does Brooks. Temple and the captain fight the crew but fail. The captain is killed and Temple left for dead. Brooks breaks away from Olive and leaving her in a faint, jumps in mad terror for the lowered boat but misses it and falls into the sea. Temple rescues Olive after he gets to his feet and, throwing over the hatch, leaps overboard with her. On the hatch there is room for only two and he fights Brooks who tries to come aboard, finally forcing him under and down. Cadman and his men have seen the fire out to sea and go in rescue boats. He finds his wife unconscious in Temple's arms. Temple scorns to give him any reasons and when they reach land stands up bravely before Cadman, who tells him he is going to kill him. Olive comes to in time to prevent Temple's death and to explain. Cadman offers his hand but it is refused. He leaves and finds Brooks' body washed ashore far from the point where husband and wife stand reunited.

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Summary Details
GenresDrama Short