Flotsam - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

A storm is raging on the coast, and a vessel is dashed on the rocks. On shore Captain Wells and the life guards try in vain to shoot a line over the wreck. A lifeboat is launched from the sinking ship, and the captain's wife and child ...See moreA storm is raging on the coast, and a vessel is dashed on the rocks. On shore Captain Wells and the life guards try in vain to shoot a line over the wreck. A lifeboat is launched from the sinking ship, and the captain's wife and child enter it. The huge breakers crush the frail craft and the occupants are precipitated into the water. All are drowned with the exception of the little girl, who is carried on the crest of a mountainous wave, end is about to he hurled on the rocks, when Captain Wells, casting off the detaining hands of his men, dives from the cliff, and after a furious battle with the ocean is helped to shore with the unconscious girl in his arms. The survivor is about fourteen years of age. She is tenderly cared for by the woman, and, after she has fully recovered, Captain Wells learns that she has no living kin. Moved to pity, the big-hearted captain adopts Mildred. Five years elapse, and Mildred has grown to be a beautiful young woman. She keeps house for the captain, carrying his lunch to him every day. A handsome artist comes to the seacoast town and Mildred poses for him. It is not long before the two fall in love with each other, of which the captain is ignorant. One day he sees Mildred with the artist, and he suddenly realizes that his love for her is more than paternal. To Mildred's consternation he proposes marriage, and she, feeling deep obligation to him, accepts him. She tells the artist that she must part from him, though she loves him. He pleads with her but she remains firm in her determination, though it grieves her sorely. Captain Wells and Mildred are married, and the artist goes away. A year later, finding he cannot forget her, he writes her a letter asking her to meet him just once, for the sake of old times. She yields to his plea, and when he sees her he overwhelms her with protestations of love, and begs her to come with him. With her old love rekindled by his presence. Mildred finally agrees, and leaves a note for her husband. While on his way to the meeting place the artist passed Captain Wells, and the latter recalled his fears of a year before. While at his work he has a premonition that everything is not right, and he starts for home. An obliging neighbor tells him that his wife and the artist have gone out, and he rushes in the direction indicated. Meantime, Mildred has come to her senses, and she realizes what she is doing. She tells the artist she must go back, and refuses to he moved by his entreaties. She rushes toward home, leaving the artist in rage and mortification. A girl who had secretly admired the artist on his previous sojourn in the locality happens by and stops to talk to him. Captain Wells comes rushing up, and is astonished to find the artist and his companion. Believing he has been unjustly jealous he goes home and finds Mildred there, preparing dinner. She has destroyed the note, which had not reached the captain's eyes, and is trembling at her narrow escape from wrongdoing, and she joyfully greets her happy husband. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less