The Governess
Directed by Walter EdwinJane Black is governess to the children of wealthy widower William Crane. Her father is an unreliable old promoter who has lived an unprofitable life, working at shady enterprises which are close to the edge of crime. He is anxious that Jane shall introduce him to her employer and use her influence to his advantage, but she refuses. The old man suspects the truth that Mr. Crane and Jane are becoming fond of each other. He calls upon Crane and tries to interest him in some cheap mining stock, and Crane, eager to be good to Jane's father, willingly buys. It happens that Crane has just finished the drawing of his latest invention. There is only one drawing, which he and his secretary have just been looking over and the secretary is advising him to have a second one made when Black is announced. Crane decides to see him and dismisses his secretary. The drawing is left upon the table. Black sees it and realizes its value. He contrives to steal it, takes it home and cunningly hides it and writes to Crane demanding a large sum for its return. Crane is in a quandary. He loves Jane, though he has not yet told her. He cannot therefore order the arrest of her father as he would an ordinary blackmailer, so he determines to pay the money. Meanwhile Jane has discovered what her father has done. She is in agony; the only thing for her to do is to recover and return the drawing before Crane has paid over the money. She makes a desperate search and at last finds it after a suspenseful scene. Crane is just about to pay the money to Black when Jane rushes in with the stolen drawing. Black, in a blind rage would kill her, but Crane restrains the old man, who realizes how much he has lost and how he must appear in the eyes of his daughter and Crane, departs, completely shattered. Left alone with Jane, Crane declares his love.
