Will Blood Tell

• 1914
• Other, Drama

Harry Dane, a popular young college man, meets at a fraternity dance, Rose Leclare, with whom he falls in love. Harry knows nothing of his family or parentage, he having been reared by a guardian, who will tell him nothing. Concerning Rose he has no knowledge beyond that, like himself, she is a resident of Philadelphia, and that she is visiting the college town with her father. The love affair progresses and Harry communicates to his guardian his intention of marrying. The guardian at once secretly interviews Mr. Leclare. He tells the father that Harry, though unaware of the fact, is the son of a famous thief, and that his ancestors for generations have been outlaws, and that while Harry, so far, has demonstrated none of the criminal traits of his father, he, the guardian, fears that in the end "blood will tell," and he deems it his duty to inform the father before be agrees to the marriage. Under the conditions of the guardianship, Harry cannot be informed of this presumed taint in his blood. Leclare communicates this intelligence to Rose. The girl does not believe in hereditary traits, and proposes to prove that Harry is all that he seems to be. She tells the boy that she and her father are not the wealthy persons they seem to be, but successful crooks that the excitement of this life is too delightful to her to dream of giving it up, and that to prove his love, he must join her in a robbery which she has already planned to execute. Harry is horrified, but his love prevails over his scruples. They go to Philadelphia and the robbery is accomplished. The jewels are entrusted to Harry, Rose declaring that as she is suspected she dare not keep them. When alone Harry suffers agonies of conscience, and finds that, even to win Rose he cannot be a thief. This he writes to Rose, sending the note to her hotel, and enclosing a cheek for all the money he has in bank to cover her share of the stolen property. Early the next morning he takes the packet containing the stolen jewels and goes to the house they robbed and asks for the mistress of the house, determined to make restitution and face punishment. He is shown into the room from which the jewels were taken, and left alone. The servant returns, announces his mistress. To Harry's amazement, Rose enters, and Harry soon learns that this is her house, and that they are her jewels he holds in his bands. Both guardian and father are satisfied that Harry has proved that blond does not always tell, and the wedding is set for an early date.