Intrigue

The old merchant bids his lovely daughters adieu and departs with an assistant on a business trip. After riding for a long distance through the forest the two travelers suddenly realize that they have lost their way. So, dismounting, they walk first in one direction and then in another in an effort to find the path which leads back to the village, and while they are thus exploring they come upon a beautiful garden in a remote part of the wood, where they sit down for a while to rest. The old merchant is attracted by the beautiful roses, stoops to pick up a few, when suddenly there appears out of a flame gushing up from the ground an ugly looking beast who reprimands the old man severely for trespassing on his premises and threatens him with death unless he promises him one of his beautiful daughters. After the old man has given his word the beast directs them to the right path, and the merchant is once more in his family circle. He tells his daughters of his meeting with the beast and of the terrible fate that is in store for her unless he gives one of them up to the ugly monster. The most beautiful of the three girls decides to sacrifice herself in order to save her father. She starts out for the beast's abode. Arriving in the garden, she is helping herself to the roses, when lo! he appears. When she sees what a repulsive creature he is, she spurns him, but on second thought she is touched with pity for the poor creature and follows him to his hut, where she finds him dying of grief at the thought of losing one so beautiful. A few kind words from her and he is suddenly transformed from a horrible beast to a dashing looking youth with whom she immediately falls in love. The last picture shows the young couple hastening to her father's home, where a splendid feast is given in honor of their marriage.—Moving Picture World synopsis