False Ambition

When self-seeking and bad-tempered Judith claims that she loves her sister Felicity's beau, David Strong, he gives her money for her trousseau which she uses to settle in New York City. Under the name of Zariska, Judith establishes herself as a society fortune-teller, counting among her many clients the wealthy Peter Van Dixon and his friend, Paul Vincent. After Judith has returned home to collect money willed to her by her uncle, she witnesses a shipwreck in which the wealthy Mrs. Dorian is killed. Seeing an opportunity to advance in society, Judith steals Mrs. Dorian's papers and jewels and uses them to masquerade as the rich woman. Her deception is a success, and she is about to marry Peter when David appears and exposes her. Deeply repentant, Judith returns home, and Paul, realizing that her better nature has asserted itself, asks her to be his wife.