The Battle of Love

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Arthur Chandler and Bessie Wells are betrothed, much to the delight of their parents. Vivian LaMar, an actress, is in love with Chandler and tries to win him from Miss Wells. He cares nothing for her, although she continues to force her attentions upon him. One day he has an engagement with his fiancée. He is late. She is looking out of the window of her home and sees him arrive in the automobile of the famous actress. The actress holds his hand a long time and refuses to release it. Miss Wells sees all and is jealous and suspicious. She sends Chandler away after they have a quarrel and he goes to his office vowing that he is through with all women forever. The two fathers meet in a club and discuss the quarrel, both brokenhearted. Jack Fixit, a friend of Chandler, wanders in. He lays a wager of $1,000 with each of them that he can arrange the wedding before morning. Fixit then goes to Miss LaMar and tells her that inasmuch as she has caused the trouble it was up to her to help him smooth it over. They concoct a plot. Miss LaMar goes to Chandler's office and, despite his protests, practically compels him to go with her in her auto. She takes him far out into the country, sends him into a field to find some flowers for her and then deserts him. Fixit then telephones Miss Wells that the actress has been murdered, that Chandler is suspected and all evidence points to his having committed the crime. Her body is found in a shack near where they had been seen together and Chandler's walking stick is found in her deserted auto, Fixit says. She telephones Chandler and when he arrives and says he is innocent, she stands by him. Her father, who knows of the plot, declares he will have nothing more to do with Chandler, and when his daughter refuses to give him up, orders both out of the house. They go to the home of Chandler's parents. Here they are also ordered out. Finally they appeal to Fixit. He tells them the only thing to do is to go out in the yacht of Chandler Senior, that he will bring a minister there and that they can get married and flee in the yacht. In the meantime the interested parties are smuggled aboard the yacht. When the bridal couple arrive they show themselves and tell them it is all a joke and laugh at the unhappy pair. They are married, the bet is paid and all are happy.