The Penalty of Silence

• Watchlist

Mabel Horan is in love with Joe Dempsey. Her brother Jack opposes the match. A stranger, a girl, comes to the valley. She stays for some time and then leaves. When she is gone Joe finds an abandoned child on his doorstep and a note which reads, "Jack Horan: You left me to take care of our baby. I am too weak to work, and am leaving the baby to you. Helen." Joe, to save Mabel's feelings, determines to say nothing and to care for the child. Jack, however, is not content to leave things as they are. He tells Mabel that the child is Joe's, in order to keep her from marrying him. Joe still keeps silence. Jack continues to taunt him, and at last Joe determines to spare him no longer. The two men fight, and then Joe reveals the truth to Mabel, and they are married.