The Ladder of Fortune (1915)

• 69%
• 1915
• Comedy
• Clem Easton
• Ben F. Wilson
• Dorothy Phillips
• Joseph W. Girard

Louis d'Angelo, a wandering minstrel, plays before the windows of an Italian's villa. From her casement above him, Delicia drops the rose worn in her hair. An attachment follows. Soon after we find Louis playing for a select gathering at the Romana salon where he makes his first appearance as Signor Romana's protégé. Love has already interceded in his behalf. A constant admirer of Delicia and aspirant for her hand, Colonel Navarro, takes exception to the attentions of Louis and upon a certain occasion tells Delicia how he feels. She promptly silences him and he insults her. Louis, rushing to her defense, meets with opposition. A duel follows in which Louis comes out the victor, but thinking he has killed his antagonist, he flees the country. Landing in New York, Louis experiences the troubles of a foreigner unable to speak the language. A thief gets his roll. Eventually fortune puts him in the way of assisting in the arrest of the very man who robbed him. By this opportunity a job is found. He writes Delicia of his good luck and straightway buckles in to win his fortune. Fate again intervenes in the person of Navarro, who, finding Louis out of reach, pushes his suit. He purloins Louis' mail from America, thereby causing Delicia to half believe herself forgotten. Meanwhile, Louis pines for some word from her and in the meanwhile rises to a position of trust with his employer. At this time a letter from a N.Y. lawyer reaches Louis' employer asking if one Louis d'Angelo works for him and advising him that there has been a fortune left to Louis by a Bowery recluse whom our hero had at one time befriended. Louis' employer and his daughter scheme to ensnare Louis into marrying. He withholds the news of the legacy meanwhile. Delicia, unable to stand the suspense longer, sails secretly for America. Her parents and Navarro follow on the next boat. They find her in her hotel. Later they dine ensemble in an Italian resort. To this same restaurant comes Louis with his employer and his daughter. Recognitions follow and thereafter not even the fires of Vesuvius could part Delicia and Louis.