Without Hope

In a short prologue, Gunpowder Wetherill, a millionaire chemist, discovers the formula for making noiseless gunpowder and at once telegraphs Washington of his success. The War and Navy Departments tell him to take the formula and proceed to Hampton Roads, where all tests will be made. The secret of the discovery is closely guarded. But an indiscreet young under-secretary lets slip a stray word to a reporter regarding the new discovery and the newspapers seize upon it and make it public. Into an international conspiracy to rob Wetherill of his formula is thrust Hope Flannigan, a little slavey employed as a dishwasher in a small Sixth Avenue restaurant conducted by Gaston, a spy employed by a foreign government. He and his woman confederate, La Belle, receive instructions to gain possession of the formula. Wetherill has a daughter, Irene, and Gaston determines to obtain the formula and marry the daughter as well. But he reckons without the sentimental Madame Claire, cashier of Maison Gaston, to whom he has made love in odd moments. Madame Claire precipitates a quarrel which takes place in the kitchen of the restaurant. On Hope, however, unable to restrain her laughter, falls the weight of Gaston's fury and she flees from his wrath. On the same day, Irene Wetherill sets out to attend a meeting of the Big Sisters' Society. On the steps of the lecture hall she meets the prim old Misses Alstyn and their nephew Van, with whom she is in love. Van tells her that he thinks the play he has written is "going over" and if so they will have a "dash to the altar." Van, on reaching the manager's office, has his play returned with an admonition to write about things as they really happen. Meanwhile the lecturer of the afternoon insists that no one is a true Big Sister unless she take a girl in distress into her own home and keep her there. Fired with enthusiasm, the Misses Alstyn, on their way home, meet the weeping Hope, whom they take home. Van, with very little money, feels he cannot marry, but Irene reassures him and begs him to try to go to Stormcliffs, as she and her father are leaving for a week's rest before going to Hampton Roads. His eye by chance lights upon an advertisement calling for first class waiters at the hotel where Irene will stop, and he decides to apply for a job to earn his board, disguising himself in his role as waiter and collecting local color as well for his play. He gets the job. Gaston, posing as Count Tomaso, and LaBelle as Mrs. Dardenell, f