The Charity Ball - Production & Contact Info

The Charity Ball (1914)
Short | Short, Drama

The Charity Ball (1914)

Short | Short, Drama

Rev. John VanBuren is worried about the health of his brother Dick, a stockbroker. John persuades his mother, who is blind, and his sister Bess to urge Dick to go away for a rest. Phyllis Lee (whom Dick has betrayed under promise of ...See moreRev. John VanBuren is worried about the health of his brother Dick, a stockbroker. John persuades his mother, who is blind, and his sister Bess to urge Dick to go away for a rest. Phyllis Lee (whom Dick has betrayed under promise of marriage) takes her invalid father to Florida. Dick receives a letter from Phyllis informing him of her father's grave condition and beseeching him to keep his promise. Dick, under pressure of business, finally collapses and is ordered abroad. John VanBuren is assisted in his philanthropic work by Ann Cruger. Ann is the daughter of Franklin Cruger, Dick's most powerful rival. Ann has noticed that John is tired out and needs a change. John goes to Florida for a couple of weeks. While there he meets Phyllis and her invalid father. Phyllis is startled at the mention of John's last name, but being sworn to silence she does not disclose the fact of her association with Dick. Phyllis's father grows gradually worse and the doctor warns her that the end is near. Phyllis sends for John, who comes and speaks words of spiritual consolation to her father. Mr. Lee, realizing that he is going to die, entreats John to look after his daughter. John promises. He takes Phyllis to his home, where she receives a warm welcome. In the short time John has known Phyllis he has fallen in love with her, but owing to her sad loss does not speak of it. Cruger's activities force Dick to return home. When Phyllis is alone with Dick she pleads with him to marry her. He refuses, having already made up his mind the only way to dethrone Cruger is to marry his daughter Ann. John confides in Ann that he is in love with Phyllis. Ann is heartbroken as she is in love with John. Dick and Cruger are worried over the action of the market. Dick meets his opponent at the Charity Ball and tells him that he regrets that he has to fight against the father of the woman he loves. Cruger admires his grit, gives his consent and wishes him luck. Alec, Cruger's clerk, is in love with Bess VanBuren. He asks her to be his wife and she blushingly consents. Phyllis breaks down and tells Ann all, but does not mention Dick's name. Ann takes her to her home and tries to console her. Phyllis decides to confess all to John and while Ann is preparing her own room she hurries to the VanBuren home. Phyllis tells her story to John. Ann discovers Phyllis's absence and surmising where she has gone, hurries to the rectory to prevent Phyllis from telling John. Ann reaches the house before Phyllis has told her story. Ann tries to persuade Phyllis to wait until the next day, but Phyllis refuses. John listens in horror and demands to know the name of the man. Phyllis, however, cannot be urged to reveal his name. Dick returns from the ball and from Phyllis's actions at the sound of his voice, Ann and John are assured that Dick is the guilty man. Dick tells John that Cruger has given his consent to his marrying his daughter Ann. John demands that he marry Phyllis. Dick refuses and they have a violent quarrel. Bess tells her brothers of her engagement to Alec. After Bess leaves, John asks Dick how he would feel if some scoundrel had dealt with their sister as he is dealing with Phyllis. Dick then realizes the full horror of the situation. He begs Phyllis's forgiveness and at his request they are married at once by John. Dick again plunges into business and during one of the exciting periods on the "Street" he succumbs to heart disease, thus paying a high price for his ambition. John meanwhile sees his mistake in thinking he loved Phyllis and realizes that he has always loved Ann. While writing Ann that it has "dawned upon him that that which he regarded as friendship for her is love," she enters and he shows her the letter. An understanding reached at last, they are happily married. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less