The story
“Adele was a child of romance. Even in the sordid tenement she felt a desire to go on stage. Accidentally, Adele and her mother met Blanche, who had been on the stage with Adele’s mother, and it was through her that Adele received her first chance. Then she met Vincent Harvey, an embryonic opera composer who found inspiration in her and she in turn found romance. Adele was practicing kicking one morning very energetically. So much so that she kicked her slipper out of the window and it hit John W. Horton, a broker. Looking around he became horrified. Adele had climbed out onto the fire escape, became dizzy and fell. An awning broke her fall. Blanche was the first one to her side. Learning that she was not hurt, Blanche made her lie still, while she turned to the crowd and told them that Adele was a poor chorus girl who tried to commit suicide. It wasn’t long before Adele sprang into fame, as the incident brought her plenty of publicity and Horton told her that if she ever needed a friend to call on him.
“Vincent completed his opera and at his request Adele took it to Horton and asked him to produce it. He gladly consented and it turned out to be a really good opera, for Vincent threw himself into it heart and soul. He forgot everything, even Adele. Mary, Vincent’s uncle’s adopted daughter, came to see Adele and asked her to give up Vincent as he belonged to her, and whoever married him would have to be content with his disposition as he loved no one except his music and himself. Adele did not believe this until she found him wanting. Accidentally a fire started; Vincent remembered his opera was on Adele’s table. Rushing in he paid no heed to her but snatched up his music. Horton, who decided to take a trip to the pole, was about to leave when suddenly Blanche, unknown to Adele, came and asked him not to go. Returning, he found the house in flames.”
Summary from The Moving Picture World · 21 July 1917
