Arbutus (1911)

• 83%
• 1911
• Drama
• Charles Kent
• Helen Gardner
• Charles Kent
• Tefft Johnson

Carleton Holt locates at one of the mountain inns. On one of his daily trips he hears a mountain maid singing in the woods. Jumping from his horse, he makes his way to where she is sitting to find her holding a bunch of arbutus in her hands. He is fascinated. It is mutual. Day after day, they meet at this same trysting-place, until weary of the novelty of courting an unsophisticated mountain lass, Carleton bids her farewell. Left sad and alone, unable to find the consolation for her heart's longing, she finds a dead bird and pours out her soul in plaintive song. A famous singer visiting the mountains overhears Meg singing, approaches her and offers to give her a musical education. Meg accepts. Some few years later. Carleton Holt becomes acquainted with Meg's benefactress, and she wins the love denied the mountain lass. A concert is given at the home of the prima donna at which Meg is to make her initial appearance. Carleton Holt recognizes the photograph of the girl to whom he made love in the mountains. Just after Meg has finished her first song, he advances to her side as if to reclaim the love which he had once rejected. Meg tells him that she leaves the city tomorrow and if he can find her then, she will give him his answer. She goes back to the mountains where the arbutus grows. Carleton follows. At their old trysting-place, she gives him his answer by picking a bunch of arbutus, emblematic of constancy and love. Throwing them on the ground, crushing them under her feet, and points commandingly and bids him go.