The Folly of It All
Directed by Edwin AugustThe Rev. Edwin August and Frank Ward are intimate friends from boyhood. Finally, falling in love with Jane Armstrong, they both propose at the same time and she accepts Edwin. Despite his disappointment, Frank remains Edwin's friend, is a frequent caller at Edwin's home, a friend of his wife, and later of his little daughter. Edwin is planning a great surprise for his wife, a new home in the country. His supervision of the building necessitates many absences from home, and as he does not account for these satisfactorily, Jane becomes uneasy and later suspicious. Frank comforts her for a time until finally he, too, becomes suspicious. Meantime, Edwin has become the intended victim of a band of thieves and they trail him from his country place back to his home and plan to rob the house. The night of the burglary is the night that Jane decides she cannot stand Edwin's absence any longer. She breaks down and asks Frank for his advice. He suggests a plan to waken Edwin's love, which both believe he still holds for her, but which has simply become dormant. They write a letter and place it in Edwin's hands with the instructions that it remains unopened until he is instructed. Edwin is puzzled, but accedes to their request. He places the letter in his strong box and continues with his work. Later that evening Edwin finds that he needs Jane's signature to some papers. He rises and is about to enter the adjoining room when he sees Jane in Frank's arms. Thunderstruck, his first thought is revenge. He hurries to his desk and searches fruitlessly for a revolver and then rushes up the stairs to his room. The thieves, watching on the outside, take this opportunity to enter. As they start their work at his desk he returns. The watcher conceals himself behind the curtain while his female accomplice enters the adjoining room. Imagining Iva has been captured, the accomplice fires blindly through the portieres, killing her. Edwin hears the shot and comes upon Dick as he is about to commit suicide. Dick frantic through realizing that he has accidentally shot his pal. It is then that Jane and the friend come on and make explanations. Jane begs him to open the envelope in the box. He does so, and realizes the awful mistake he barely escaped making. The letter explains that the love making between Jane and Frank was but a subterfuge. It was intended that he should see it and they thought that through that means his love would be awakened. The picture ends with a view of Edwin, Jane and Frank overlooking the new country home.
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