The Stoning

• Watchlist

Ruth Fenton, the idol of her parents, is acquainted with Alec Peters, a brakeman on the train which conveys her to school in the adjoining village every morning. When she is graduated from school, Alec sends her a note inviting her for a walk some evening, as he has been put on a new run with a two-hour layover in her village. Unsuspectingly, she meets him after choir rehearsal. Mr. Fenton admonishes her bitterly for keeping company with Alec, who, he says, is no good. In his ultimatum to Ruth he tells her she may never darken his door again if she is caught with Alec. She meets him and he persuades her to go away with him. In the city they register at a hotel as man and wife and Ruth thinks it great fun. Very soon Alec begins to maltreat her, with the result that she leaves him. Unable to get work, she ends up in a cheap house and lives there under awful conditions. In the meantime Ruth's parents are failing, and the doctor states that the return of Ruth is the only thing that will save Mrs. Fenton. The minister of the place determines to get her and after tracing Alec and eventually locating Ruth, brings her back. The change in Mrs. Fenton is remarkable. Ruth is prevailed upon to take her old place in the choir on Sunday and when she takes her seat the girls arise and walk out, as does a share of the congregation. The minister preaches a strong sermon, using as his text. "Judge Not." Ruth is discouraged and remorseful when she sits down and thinks over the events which have occurred so rapidly, and the next morning her body is found in the lake. At the funeral the minister brands the hard-shelled congregation as murderers.