In the Glare of the Lights

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Glen Duval, a worker in the steel mills, desires to become an actor. In the same mill with him is Joe Brandigan, who is insanely jealous of Glen because of the fact that Joe's sweetheart, Martha Stedman, appears to like young Duval too much. However, Glen does not care for Martha otherwise than as a friend. One morning on his way to work Glen finds the unconscious form of Wanda Dawson, the actress, by the railroad tracks. Later developments explain that Wanda left her train which had broken down to gather flowers by the road. The train departed without her and she wandered alone all night, at last falling exhausted by the track. Glen takes her home, where he and his aunt, Edith, revive her. That evening when Glen returns from the mill, he tells Wanda of his ambitions for the stage. She likes his appearance very much and encourages him. Wanda's manager then appears and engages Glen as an actor. On the stage, Glen falls in love with Wanda, but is afraid to declare his love because his position is so much below hers. After a time Glen's chance comes. He had understudied Bland, the star. One evening Bland is unable to appear. The manager seized upon Glen as a last resort. Glen's work is a great success. Bland, in the meantime, proposes that Wanda become his leading lady in a new play he is to produce. She listens, realizing that now is her chance to become famous. She accedes to his suggestion and, just as Glen enters the room to tell her of his love. Bland takes her in his arms. Glen denounces both her and the stage and returns home heartbroken. Back in the steel mills Joe Brandigan has become foreman. He has not succeeded in overcoming his jealousy of Glen, although he gives the latter a job. The job is not an easy one, however, for Joe drives Glen at every opportunity. Glen stands for the hazing, but at last resentment of it all surges in him and he determines to demand an explanation. The two men meet in the glare of the big blazing furnace. Joe tells Glen of his jealousy, and the latter, momentarily crazed, springs upon his tormentor. A terrific battle ensues in front of the furnaces. Glen gets the best of Joe and is about to hurl the unconscious man into the burning pit when Joe's little son enters. Glen sees the child and realizes that he is about to commit a terrible crime. He drops the unconscious form of Joe and takes the little child in his arms. Wanda comes to the town, meets Glen, and a reconciliation is affected.