The Queen of Hearts

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Col. Phillipot is one of the experts in the government ordnance department. In his official capacity he has a bundle of plans and prints of the latest inventions in the new guns. The Colonel has become involved to the amount of $30,000 in a gambling house conducted by Bruce Henderson. The Colonel's daughter, Bernice, has just finished her schooling and as a reward for her faithful study she is to make her coming out at the inaugural ball at the White House. Jim, the Colonel's son, has the gambling fever and is identified with Horace Westlake, seemingly an idler, but in reality an international spy, and his mistress, Olga Merode. Bruce Henderson, although a gambler, is respected in a sort of way and has access to exclusive circles in society. He attends the ball and makes the acquaintance of the Colonel's daughter. There is mutual attraction. Bernice's brother comes up with Westlake and introduces him to his sister. He orders Henderson to have nothing more to do with his sister, he being a gambler. The next day, Henderson, while out riding, again meets Bernice and tells her of his life, but out of his strong regard for her offers to quit his gambling. She takes him at his word, and Henderson says he will close his gambling house that day. That evening the Colonel arrives for his nightly game and is again a loser. Henderson then announces that he is going to close the house. Phillipot, furious at his losses, and slightly under the influence of liquor, accuses him of trying to keep the losers from recouping their losses. The Colonel calls for his account. He is staggered at the size of it and finally puts his home in the balance against the I.O.U.'s, the winner to be decided by one cut of the cards. Again he loses. Henderson, drawing a queen of hearts. The deed is made out, the name being left blank, and later Henderson fills it out in Bernice's name and mails it to her. Next morning Bernice gets the deed and thinks her father sent it to her. He is afraid to explain the real transaction, and the son, coming in at the moment, thinks his father has willed all his property to the daughter to cut him off. Angry words follow and the son leaves, vowing never to return. The Colonel goes to Henderson to demand satisfaction for interfering in his family affairs, and the hot words finally lead to a duel. Henderson does not wish to fight the father of the girl he loves and resolves to sacrifice himself by firing into the air in the duel. He calls upon Bernice for what he himself thinks is the last time. He drops one of his gloves, and unobserved, it is kicked under the Colonel's safe. Through Westlake's pleadings, Jim steals his father's plans. The time for the duel arrives, and Henderson keeps his resolution by shooting into the air while the Colonel aims at his opponent. This is witnessed by Bernice, who has followed her father. Henderson is rushed to his apartments while the Colonel goes home and discovers his loss. Bernice finds the glove, recognizes it and goes to Henderson, who knowing that the plans are in Westlake's possession, journeys to him with Bernice. Henderson gets the plans and takes the blame upon himself to shield his sweetheart's brother. At home Jim confesses his theft. The Colonel also tells how the deed came to be made out to his daughter. While father and son are making their peace, Bernice slips up to Henderson's room and begs for forgiveness, which is readily granted.