The Court's Decree

The Blakes are a couple who because of difference in temperament and a failure on both sides to make concessions have drifted apart. The wife is only mildly interested when her husband proposes to secure a separation. In fact, her principal feeling is one of relief. But her indifference quickly vanishes when the court decree is handed down granting the separation, but awarding the custody of the child to the husband. Mrs. Blake wants her little girl and failing to obtain her legally resorts to trickery. She disguises herself and is engaged as governess of her own little daughter now living in the home of her husband's aunt. The child, who has wept much for her mother, on being told the identity of the new governess gladly agrees to go with her. The two go walking and the governess returns with the news that the child has wandered away. Her hat found on the shore of a lake in the park gives color to the belief that she has been drowned. This theory is accepted and the governess is discharged. She goes away happy in the belief that her stratagem has succeeded, for she had hidden the child in her poor rooms, meaning to take her away and begin a new life in some other city. Her pitiful plan might have been a success for its very daring, had it not been for Violet Gray, the detective. Violet, suspicious of the supposed governess, tracked her to her rooms and from the fire escape saw her fondling a boy, for little Maria had also been disguised. The detective brings the father to the house and he at once recognizes his child. Violet tears the disguise from the mother and Blake sees his unhappy wife. She pleads with him and the child clings to her. Blake realizes that with the daughter the mother comes first. He loves his child and wants to make her happy. Legally he is entitled to her custody, but morally he realizes that he is not. Sadly he places the child in her mother's arms and with bowed head starts out alone. But this Marie will not allow. She has her mother, but she wants her father, too. She runs after him and begs him to remain with them. Both parents realize that they paid too much attention to little things, that they have overlooked the big thing in their lives, their child. They decide to forgive and forget and to begin life anew, remembering that they have one treasure which they can never divide, the love of a little girl. - IMDb