My Lost One

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Perdita, a pretty chorus girl, is sought in marriage by Juan Mora, a violinist, and by Henri Ducharme, director of the Neapolitan Opera House. Perdita accepts Juan. Juan's income is not sufficient to gratify her love of extravagance and when Ducharme returns to her life with declarations of love and flattering promises of a great career, she agrees to forsake her husband and her child, Lola. On the night of the expected flight Ducharme calls for her, but in anger, she sends him away. The temptation to be a factor in the operatic world is too strong, however, and she later decides to return to the stage. Leaving a note for Juan, stating that Ducharme had convinced her she is sacrificing a brilliant career, she acquaints the director of her decision to accept his advice and would like to see him at once. After receiving Perdita's note, Juan seeks Ducharme, a bitter quarrel ensues and the violinist is discharged from his position in the orchestra. He writes a beautiful opera with Perdita as the central character, which he names "Mi Perdita." Meanwhile Perdita begins rehearsals under Ducharme's direction and makes wonderful progress. Ducharme plots successfully to become possessed of Juan's opera. He then flatters Perdita by telling her he is writing an opera for her. Discovering the loss of his work, Juan becomes seriously ill and, being destitute, finds lodgings in a miserable garret with Lola, his daughter, as his only companion. After a long illness, Juan wanders into the street penniless and hungry. He is caught in the act of stealing a loaf of bread. His simple story of misfortune not only effects his pardon, but secures for him a position as waiter in the place. In the meantime, Ducharme has produced Juan's opera under his own name and Perdita scored a tremendous success as the prima donna. One night, the orchestra in the place where Juan is employed as waiter plays the overture from "Mi Perdita." He drops his tray in amazement and staggers to the leader's box, where he sees the printed score with Ducharme's name as composer. He is informed the opera is being played at the Neapolitan Opera House. Tottering homeward for Lola, the two are soon seated in the front row of the "pit." His overture, his opera, and Perdita. The limit of his endurance is reached and, staggering forth, he cries out to Perdita and falls to the floor. The opera is interrupted by the confusion and Perdita, regardless of all else, rushes from the stage to take Juan and Lola in her arms. While nursing her husband back to health in his garret, she learns that he is the composer of "Mi Perdita." She is seized with a strong desire to expose and punish Ducharme, and acquaints the Board of Directors of the opera company of his duplicity. At a meeting of the directors, she succeeds in proving Juan the rightful composer of the opera and brands Ducharme as a thief. Juan is appointed to succeed Ducharme, who is dismissed in disgrace, and Perdita. under the able direction of her husband, continues her brilliant career.