A Happy Ending — Act III

Arline Kinsel as France Lee and Will Tully as Jack Worthinton

At the close of Act II, Jerry Weston discovers that he is the father of France and goes to prison rather than cause her to marry the evil James Blackburn. France is reunited with her love, Jack Worthington.

Act III — In front of the Lee’s southern mansion
Sadie is sweeping the porch when Blackburn arrives with the news that Jerry has escaped prison and his mangled body been found after being run over by a train. He denies Sadie’s story that he “arranged” the escape to ensure Weston’s death. Blackburn’s new plot involves the financial ruin of Colonel Lee and Jack Worthington through the fraudulent Silver Bar Mine, and he is confident that France will marry him rather than see Col. Lee destroyed. He cries with fury and leaves when France refuses to see him. A telegram brings news of the worthless Mine; the Lees learn from Blackburn that all of their funds have been lost. Alas, France finally relents, agreeing to marry Blackburn to keep Colonel Lee from prison. . . and then, Jack arrives, followed by the white-haired Jerry Weston holding the title to the Silver Bar Mine. “I am the original owner,” he says, the sale “was a fraud.” Jack adds to the story by revealing that Weston’s brother confessed his guilt, and Jerry has been pardoned for “a crime he did not commit.” With all the other characters now free of Blackburn’s clutches, Blackburn himself begs for forgiveness. The men seem resolved to turn him in to the law, but France begs for his freedom. Jerry is content to banish Blackburn, satisfying France, and turns to the men, “Jack, my boy, take her. Colonel, let’s have a drink!”