STORY

George Merrill and Nell Fenwick are in love with each other. George is a club man and has unconsciously drifted until he is a little better than a drunkard. Nell, a struggling young artist, has clung to him in hope of making a man of him, but her patience reaches the limit when he comes to her apartment one night, and in an intoxicated condition, makes a fool of himself. She orders him never to enter her house again. Billy, a typical newsboy of the streets, is a favorite of Nell. One day as she is talking to him, Merrill comes out of a store and tries to force his attentions upon her. She resents his presence and Billy kicks him. The little newsboy is knocked down by Merrill. The boy is injured worse than was thought and Nell, who has taken him in charge, arranges to take him home with her until he is well. Merrill is overcome with remorse at his actions and makes a resolves not to have anything more to do with liquor. Billy rejects the presents Merrill has sent him in the shape of peace offerings and tells Nell to throw them under the bed. Nell misses Merrill a great deal and secretly takes out his picture for consolation. Merrill, discouraged because he can make no headway in his efforts to win back the affection of Nell, prepares to go on a trip abroad. Billy is now convalescent and whenever he can do so, he shoots craps with lumps of sugar to while the time away. Nell never knows of this, however, as he hides them before she arrives in the room. One day while he is alone, he rummages around the drawers of the bureau and finds a picture of Merrill. His sharp wits take in the situation and when Nell returns home, he tells her that he thinks he will die and wants her to get the “gink” who knocked him down so as to forgive him. Nell, in terror, calls for the doctor and also Merrill. Merrill arrives and Billy puts him “wise” to the deception. The doctor arrives and he, too, falls into the scheme. Billy’s cleverness wins the day and the lovers are once more reunited with a better understanding of each other, while Billy has made a permanent place for himself in the hearts of each.
Written By: Moving Picture World