The Crime of Circumstance

• 1916
• Other, Drama, Suspense

Myra Traverse, wife of Warren Traverse, the prosecuting attorney, departs for a ball with her husband's brother, John, a dissipated youth. Old Tom Mason, much the worse for drink, accosts Tom Peters as Myra and John enter the ball. Tony, infuriated, throws him aside. Mason shambles off and is later seen at the Clifton Roadhouse. After the dance Tony, John, and Myra drive away, and on their way home stop for refreshments at the Clifton Roadhouse. Tony procures a private room and leaves them a moment to telephone. Tom, half drunk, sees and curses him, but Tony passes upstairs. When he opens the door he finds Myra in John's arms. A fight ensues. Tony drops, hits his head on the table and is killed. Myra and John escape through a side window and rush away in the dark. Tom, meanwhile, goes upstairs, pushes open the door and sees the dead man on the floor. With a cry of horror he staggers. The bartenders and others rush upstairs and see the dead man and Tom. Despite Tom's protestations of innocence, he is led away. Meanwhile, Myra and John enter the library as the telephone rings. Traverse answers the call and tells them of the murder at the roadhouse. He says they have the murderer. Startled, Myra asks who it is. Traverse says it is an old drunken man known as "Old" Tom Mason. Later the trial is shown. Traverse, the prosecuting attorney, confuses the old white-faced man. The witnesses are called. Myra, in agony, unable to stay home, goes to the trial and, not knowing it, sits beside John. The verdict is guilty. Two months elapse. The day of Tom's death is at hand. Tom bids farewell to his wife, and is led, still maintaining his innocence, to the death chamber. Meanwhile, Tom's wife is destitute and when one child dies from lack of nourishment the woman determines to kill Traverse. She goes to his home and forces her way in. John is also present, talking with Traverse. She fires at Traverse but John jumps in and receives the shot. Myra rushes in. John confesses all. As he finishes he dies. Traverse takes his wife in his arms. He says they must tell all to exonerate Tom and then they will try to devote their lives to rectify their wrong. Fade out of Moses pointing to the Sixth Commandment.