The Guilt

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Eleanor Gordon, who inherits her father's temper, witnesses a quarrel between her parent and Roland, who has asked for her hand. Eleanor saves the secretary from being shot. Later, the girl and her father engage in a quarrel, in the course of which the pistol in Gordon's hand is accidentally discharged. The man falls dead. As the result of the testimony of the servants who heard the squabble between Roland and Gordon, the secretary is tried for the murder. Although Roland knows the truth, he keeps silent to save the girl he loves. Eleanor selfishly allows him to be pronounced guilty. Gates, the district attorney, also loves the girl but is convinced that she is the guilty party. Eleanor sees the governor in a vain effort to save Roland from the chair. On the morning of the execution, Gates pays a visit to the warden, but owing to his prejudice against capital punishment, the latter has left the prison for the day. Eleanor, trailing Gates with the hope of securing his assistance, finds him at the prison. Gates bluntly informs the girl of his belief in her guilt. Eleanor, unable to conceal her secret, confesses. At this moment, Thompson, a trusty who has overheard the conversation, steps forward and declares himself to be the slayer. It develops that he was Gordon's former partner and because he found that the man had defrauded him. shot at him from outside the house at the instant Gordon's weapon was discharged. Thompson's pistol was muffled by a Maxim silencer. Roland is saved from death in the nick of time and restored to the girl for whom he was willing to die.