The Siren's Song

A young man, who comes to the big city to make his way in the world, has been unfortunate in securing employment. At last he receives a position with a bank. Through his limited knowledge of the world he is used by his employers as a tool to dupe patrons into purchasing worthless stock. Fearing detection, the employers make their "getaway," and leave the clerk to face the rioting depositors. The young man is arrested and sentenced to serve four years in prison. His prison life ended, he adopts the name of John Grey and decides to go to a foreign country. On board the steamer he meets Blake, the former bank president, and his confederate, Helen Granger. Grey becomes so embittered against Blake that he awaits an opportunity to demand reparation. Late at night he finds Blake on the deck alone and accosts him. There is a fight, at the termination of which Blake throws Grey overboard. After floating all night on a stray log, he is rescued by the crew of a fishing boat, who land him in a small village along the fishing banks, and he finds employment among the fishing folk. John Gordon's wife, a drug fiend, left him, and not having heard from her for several years, he again marries. The second union is blessed with a daughter, Katherine. While this happy family are visiting a summer resort, Gordon is confronted by his first wife. The shock of seeing her is so great that he suffers a heart attack and dies. His wife and daughter, knowing the truth, retire to the same village where John Grey has by this time endeared himself to the inhabitants. Helen Granger gains the confidence of the first wife and purchases her marriage certificate. Armed with this document and accompanied by Blake, she seeks the second Mrs. Gordon and attempts to blackmail her. Katherine, who is the affianced wife of John Grey, tells him of their predicament. Upon his discovery of who the plotters are, he secretly goes to the rooms occupied by Helen Granger to obtain the marriage certificate. He is discovered by Blake, who attacks him, and hearing the noise of the scuffle the adventuress enters the room. Grey, having secured the paper, is threatened with the exposure of his past life by his enemies. He tells them he will make a clean breast of the whole affair which would ultimately send Blake and his companion to prison. Realizing that he has the upper hand, the conspirators promise to leave town in the morning. This brings a happy ending to an interesting story.