The Spider - Production & Contact Info (original) (raw)

Paul Detrieux is a rising young broker, and one of the youngest members of the stock exchange. His present position of wealth and prosperity is due to his own ability and shrewdness combined with the influence of Camell, a rich broker, ...See morePaul Detrieux is a rising young broker, and one of the youngest members of the stock exchange. His present position of wealth and prosperity is due to his own ability and shrewdness combined with the influence of Camell, a rich broker, known to the world as the "Gold King." The ease with which Detrieux had handled a difficult proposition a few years previous and his ability to act quickly, had won the banker 's admiration, and he had made the young man his protege. Up to the present time, he has had no cause to regret his decision, as Detrieux has never failed him. It is not until they are both attending a ball given by the Countess, Anna Georgers, that the gold king finds himself outdone for the first time and the knowledge that the victor is Detrieux does not lessen his rage. Both men are in love with the Countess, and, by a strange coincidence, each has deter mined to take this opportunity to declare his love. Carnell's proposal is met with a curt refusal, and Detrieux, to his joy, is the accepted suitor. The gold king while spying on the young people finds them in a fond embrace, and in a jealous rage he vows that he will wreck his vengeance on both. So like a spider he begins to weave his web. Having a full knowledge of Detrieux's stocks and bonds, the gold king soon manipulates the market and thereby not only gains possession of the broker's stocks, but leaves the young man in his debt for a large sum of money. Having hopelessly entangled Detrieux, the time has now come to bait his web for the countess. Knowing her great love for the young man he rightly thinks it will be an easy matter. Acting upon this supposition he sends a note to Detrieux telling him that unless the countess comes to him personally to get the bonds he will find himself a ruined man. But the gold king has overlooked the fact that Detrieux though ruined financially, is still a man of honor, and prefers his own downfall to that of his sweetheart. She enters the room at the moment he is reading the note and in secret decides to save Detrieux. Upon arriving at his office the following day, the broker is astonished to find a parcel containing all the bonds on his desk, and with them a note from the countess asking his forgiveness. She has sacrificed all for him. In grief and anger, he vows he will not profit by her disgrace nor ever see her again. Shortly after, however, when he receives word that she is on her death-bed he repents his harsh vow, and reaches her in time to take her in his loving arms, and bestow a kiss of forgiveness upon her. Written by Press Sheet from Library of Congress See less