The King of Chance (1914)
Despite his father's warnings, Tom Holliday continues in his intemperate habits. Flo Baker, a girl of the dance halls, ensnares the good-for-nothing. Jack Sands, a gambler, endeavors to save the boy because of the love he bears for Mae, Tom's sister. Tom, however, stubbornly persists in following the downward path. Flo loves Sands and learning the gambler, in turn, loves Mae, resolves to punish him through Tom. Sands endeavors to secure the consent of Mr. and Mrs. Holliday to marry Mae, but is ordered off the ranch. Due to Flo's urging, Tom rifles his father's cashbox and turns the money over to the dance hall girl. Mae and her father discover the theft. Filled with fury, Mr. Holliday orders his son from home. Mae informs her sweetheart of the turn of events, beseeching him to break Flo's influence over Tom. Upon receipt of Mae's letter, Sands prepares to show Tom that he is Flo's dupe. He drops a note where the boy is sure to find it. When Tom reads the missive, he learns that Sands is to meet the dance hall girl at her home that afternoon. Here is his opportunity to square accounts with Sands, who has meddled in his affairs, and at the same time show Mae the character of the man to whom she has given her heart. Flo effusively greets the gambler when the latter calls. A short distance down the street, Tom and Mae observe Sands enter the woman's house. Mae, broken-hearted, returns home. Tom, however, is filled with a jealous rage and determines to settle matters with Sands. The gambler coolly acknowledges to the good-for-nothing that Flo is his sweetheart, hoping thereby to cure the boy of his infatuation. Tom, however, startles the gambler by declaring that Mae has seen him enter the house. Dashing Flo and Tom aside, Sands hastens after Mae, only to be refused a chance to explain. The deception has the desired effect, since Flo, blaming Sands' sudden departure upon Tom, drives him from her presence. Mae finally learns the state of affairs. She promises to wed Sands upon the condition that he give up gambling. The man agrees. After their marriage, Sands and Mae purchase a ranch. Tom drifts lower down the scale. Mae, without her husband's knowledge, supplies the wretch with money. Sands, returning to the ranch house unexpectedly one morning, discovers his wife in the act of handing Tom a bill. He seizes the money and offers the boy a job. Tom sullenly refuses the position. Sands finally gives him money, but wants him never to return. Later, at the end of his resources, the boy holds up a stagecoach. Sheriff Bennett and a posse go in pursuit of the robber. Hard pressed, Tom takes refuge in Sands' home. Sands is inclined to surrender Tom, but heeding Mae's pleas, finally consents to save him from the clutches of the law. Bennett and his men enter the ranch house but are prevented from searching the place by Sands, who covers them with his pistols. The posse besieges the building, raining a hail of lead into the place. A bullet strikes Tom. wounding him. Sands thereupon signals to Bennett. When the Sheriff enters the building, Sands offers to gamble with him for the boy. Should the Sheriff win, he gets the boy. Should Sands win, Tom is to go free, but Bennett is to take possession of the ranch. Although this is a flagrant breach of the law. Bennett's cupidity causes him to consent. Neither of the men notices Tom, who sits with his head buried in his arms. The cards are cut. Sands utters a cry of exultation; he has won. Approaching Tom, he places his hand upon the boy's shoulder, but Tom is dead.
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GenresDrama
Short
Western
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