The Lorelei Madonna

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Brought up in the atmosphere of the convent, Malcolm's one great ambition is to paint a Madonna worthy to be placed in the great Mission Chapel. His wealthy and worldly Uncle Morrison introduces the boy into the life of the world, the boy's lack of sophistry proving a great source of amusement to him. In Tahiti, they visit Vesey's "Palace," a notorious dive where a beautiful girl called Alma, or "The Lorelei" is the premiere danseuse. King La Farge, the richest pearler in the South Sea Islands, is favored above the other habitués of the place, so that when Malcolm becomes fascinated with the dancer and shows it, he nearly kills the young man. Malcolm's artistic soul is set ablaze when the Lorelei to add variety to the entertainment, impersonates the Madonna, and his reverent admiration awakens in the woman a desire to know the only man who had never looked upon her as his lawful prey. She conceives a genuine love for Malcolm, and he knowing nothing of her mode of life, learns to love her. But he finds her dancing for La Forge's edification, understands the situation at last, and his idol shattered, Malcolm turns against her. But she has proved the necessary inspiration for his painting of the Madonna, and through it, he is led to believe that the woman's reformation is complete and that she truly loves him. He is about to take her in his arms when La Farge, in a frenzy of rage shoots, intending to kill Malcolm, but instead kills Alma. Malcolm returns to the little Mission town and there finds happiness with Alice, the companion of Convent days, as his wife.