- Evelyn and her boyfriend William Bard are members of a small Shaker community. They rock the community one day when they announce that they want to get married and have children, in direct opposition to the Shaker prohibition against marriage and procreating. The Shakers drive the couple out of town, but before she leaves Evelyn gives birth to a daughter, Eve. Shortly afterward Evelyn dies, and the Shakers inform William that their daughter Eve has died also. William leaves town, but vows to take his revenge on the Shakers, whom he blames for the loss of his family.—frankfob2@yahoo.com
- When Joseph Case's wife dies, he takes his baby daughter, Evelyn, to the Shaker Community, where he lives. His life there makes irrevocable his vow to marry again, for the Shakers do not believe in marriage. The theory is all very well for Joseph, but works havoc in the lives of his daughter, Evelyn, and a foundling brought up by the community, William Bard. William and Evelyn love each other, but are not permitted to make their union legal. Evelyn confesses to Joseph, who has become Elder of the Shaker Community, and who no longer considers himself her father, but is simply the head of the community. Evelyn is reprimanded, and Bard is flogged and driven out of the gates of "Eden." Five years later, Bard goes back to claim Evelyn and her child. Evelyn has died, and Elder Joseph, on seeing Bard, hides little Eve, the child, and tells him she, too, is dead. Bard leaves "Eden," swearing to be revenged on the community. The vow occupies his thoughts to the exclusion of almost everything else, and he becomes known as "the man of hate." He even changes his name, spelling it backwards, and is henceforth known not as Bard but as Drab. He adopts a son whom he calls Rodney. Rodney is fond of wandering about in his racing automobile. He meets with a slight accident near the Shaker village. Going there for aid, he sees Eve. Struck by her charm, he remains in the village, and the two young people fall in love with each other. Drab, in the pursuance of his plan of revenge, has from time to time loaned money freely to the Shakers. He has them so deeply in debt to him that they can never pay him back, and the time is ripe for the foreclosure of the mortgage. He writes a scathing letter to Elder Joseph, telling him of his decision. Joseph pleads for clemency, but Drab is obdurate. When Rodney tells Joseph that he is the foster son of William Drab, the great financier, both he and Eve believe that his coming there is only part of Drab's scheme, and Eve tells him to go. Rodney on his return home asks his foster father for an explanation, and is told the old story of broken hearts and vowed revenge. Rodney is sorry his father cannot find room in his heart for forgiveness, and he goes back to help Eve. Drab reveals his identity to Joseph by means of a letter, which gives the reason for his pitilessness. "I am the brokenhearted man you flogged from your gates," he says, "Drab spells Bard turned to hate." Rodney arrives in a storm, and the Elder shuts the door in his face, whereupon Eve calls him to task for not practicing the love and kindness the Shakers are sworn to consider. She shames him into admitting Rodney. Drab comes to oust the Shakers from their Eden. Joseph sends a messenger to ask that they be allowed to leave peaceably, but Drab strikes the messenger with a great snake-whip. As the Shakers pass out of the gates with their cattle, horses and wagons he strikes them all with the whip. Eve alone does not flinch at the touch of Drab's whip. She takes his hand and makes him come with her to see Joseph. He refuses at first, but goes with her when he sees the resemblance to her mother. Joseph confesses that Eve is Drab's daughter, and that he has lied to him. Drab is deeply touched, and sends Rodney to bring back the Shakers, promising to build them a bigger and a better Eden. Joseph confesses that the dying wish of the mother had been that Eve on coming of age should be able to choose her future mode of life. Both Joseph and Drab leave her to her own decision. She calls for her father, and he and Rodney take her away to a home and happiness.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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