Volume II: Filmography Volume II: Filmography
a.k.a. THE PAST A BLANK
August 24, 1914 (Monday)
Length: 2 reels (reels 19 and 20)
SYNOPSIS, Reel Life, August 22, 1914:
"While a hundred false clues lure Norton and Jones on as many wild goose chases in quest of the missing girl and while Braine and the other conspirators, certain that she has gone to her death in the midst of the grim Atlantic, devise new schemes to get a trace of the vanished treasure, Florence, herself, bereft of speech and memory, is cared for by the kindly folk of the tiny fisher village, whither her rescuers have brought her.
"By every method known to their simple minds they seek to learn the mystery of her identity, but without avail. Days and weeks pass, but although she rapidly regains her strength, Florence gives no sign that she recalls anything of her past. Then it happens that Jackson, one of Braine's lieutenants in search of recreation, comes to the village. Fate throws him across Florence's path, he recognizes her, and at once apprises Braine of her whereabouts. Thereafter, events begin to take place with startling suddenness. Braine and the Countess Olga, already at their wits' end to locate the whereabouts of the Hargreave fortune, at once take counsel, and it is arranged that Braine, who has been informed of Florence's condition, shall go at once to the fisher village.
"In the meantime Norton and Jones have not been idle. Jones has set off on a false scent, while Norton remains to keep watch on the conspirators, whom he is sure are holding Florence in their power. Discovering that he is dogging their footsteps, two of the gang lay a clever trap for the reporter. As if making every effort to conceal their movements, they lead Norton by a roundabout route to a house on the water side, where an artfully concealed trap door leads to a vault into which the river enters at high tide. Seeing the men enter this house, after a short delay Norton forces his way in also, sure that he has located Florence's prison at last. An instant later, the trap is sprung and he is precipitated into the noisome pit below.
"When the conspirators find that he still breathes, they form a sudden plan, which promises to eliminate him from interference with their schemes quite as effectually as would his death. The plan is nothing less than to 'shanghai' him. Within the hour he is dragged aboard a vessel leaving for a three-year cruise in Northern waters, and, with the aches and pains of returning consciousness, he is put to work at the various rough tasks, which are part of a seaman's life aboard a whaler.
"Meanwhile Braine arrives at the fisher village, and after some days of reconnaissance, learns all that the simple folk know of Florence's rescue and her ensuing history. Disguised as an old man he poses as her father and attempts to get possession of the girl, but something about him - some recollection hidden away in the misty depths of Florence's mind - cause her to show a fear of her pseudo parent, which makes the old fisherman at whose home she is living suspect that Braine is not what he claims to be. He is driven from the house and for a time his plans are frustrated. But Braine is not to be foiled so easily. He engages a fast motor yacht, and, when his opportunity comes, seizes Florence at a time she is alone on the beach. In spite of her desperate struggles he carries her aboard his boat and makes off. The seizure is seen by the old fisherman, who vainly gives chase, but too late to save the girl from her fate, and soon the yacht is a mere speck upon the horizon.
"Many miles have been put behind the speeding boat, when a sudden rush of smoke from the vessel's hold gives warning of a new danger. Flames burst out of the cabin and soon drive all hands over the side. Fortunately a sailing vessel sees their plight, and Braine and Florence are taken aboard. Braine, who is still in disguise, by promising a large sum of money to the captain, arranges to be put ashore with Florence at the nearest port. Because of her pitiful condition Florence is allowed the freedom of the deck. She does not observe the intent gaze of the sailor, who has eagerly watched her every movement since her arrival on board, nor does she see him follow her to a sequestered part of the deck. Suddenly she hears her name spoken in a voice which she knows well. It is only a whispered word, but a new light - the light of returning understanding - leaps into her eyes.
"'Jimmy - dear Jimmy!' she gasps, and the next minute she is held close in that young man's arms. In a flash her reason returns to her, and with it a realization of her imminent danger. She nestles closer in her lover's embrace, all her doubts gone. As for the 'shanghaied' Jimmy, who has already pierced Braine's disguise and heard his arrangements with the captain, it does not take him long to evolve a plan, which will release them both from their difficulties.
"The next morning, when the vessel arrives at the port where it has been agreed to land them, strange to say, there is no sign of Norton. As Florence and her pseudo father, after paying over the stipulated sum to the captain, climb down the ship's side to the waiting boat, the reporter is nowhere to be seen. His absence is readily explained, however, as soon as Florence and her companion are out of sight of the sailors, who bring them ashore. With a swift and dexterous twist of his hand, her escort tears off the wig, whiskers and goggles that have thus far concealed his identity and discloses - not Braine - but the missing Norton. And Braine, bound and gagged and stripped to his shirt, and outward bound, rages vainly in his cabin."
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Copyright © 1995 Q. David Bowers. All Rights Reserved.