A troubled man proves his worth through sacrifice, survives captivity, and earns love by changing his life.
Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases
A Wastrel in Love
Barry is introduced as a heavy drinker who believes Muriel prefers his brother. His emotional insecurity drives him away from Virginia and toward Paris.
Key Events
Virginia Family Background — Barry is introduced as the son of an old Virginia colonel. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: Virginia
Brothers Love Muriel — Barry and his brother are both in love with Muriel. Characters: Barry Gordon, Muriel BekkmanLocation: Virginia
Barry's Wasted Life — Barry is portrayed as a wastrel who drinks heavily. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: Virginia
Fear of Repeating History — Barry drinks despite knowing that his father died of alcoholism. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: Virginia
Departure for Paris — Barry goes to Paris believing Muriel will marry his brother. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: Paris
The Moroccan Call
News that Barry's brother has disappeared in Morocco changes Barry's direction. He travels to an African village and discovers the captivity.
Key Events
Assumed Marriage — Barry's belief that Muriel prefers his brother deepens his despair. Characters: Barry Gordon, Muriel BekkmanLocation: Paris
News from Morocco — Barry receives word that his brother has been lost in Morocco. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: Paris
Journey to Morocco — Barry travels to Morocco to search for his missing brother. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: Morocco
Arrival at African Village — Barry reaches the nearest African village during his search. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: African village
The Costly Exchange
Barry offers himself in exchange for his captive brother and promises a substantial payment. The brother is released, but Barry remains in danger.
Key Events
Captivity Discovered — Barry learns that his brother is being held captive by natives. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: African village
Barry Offers Himself — Barry agrees to exchange places with his captive brother. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: African village
Ransom Agreement — Barry promises to pay the captors handsomely for the exchange. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: African village
Brother Released — Barry's sacrifice results in the release of his brother. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: African village
Waiting and Captivity
Muriel and Nathanial arrive and are relieved by the release, then become anxious about Barry. Barry remains confined while help does not come from the village.
Key Events
Muriel Reaches Village — Muriel and Nathanial arrive at the village after the release. Characters: Muriel Bekkman, Nathanial BeekmanLocation: African village
Relief Turns to Worry — They rejoice at the release but worry about Barry's absence. Characters: Muriel Bekkman, Nathanial BeekmanLocation: African village
Waiting in the Village — The released brother remains in the village instead of aiding Barry. Characters: Muriel Bekkman, Nathanial BeekmanLocation: African village
Barry Held in Cave — Barry remains confined in a cave after exchanging places. Characters: Barry GordonLocation: Cave near the African village
Naomi's Last Help
Naomi helps Barry escape from the cave, but she is killed during the effort. Barry reaches the village alive after her sacrifice.
Key Events
Naomi Leads Escape — Naomi helps Barry escape from the cave. Characters: Barry Gordon, NaomiLocation: Cave near the African village
Naomi's Sacrifice — Naomi is killed while helping Barry secure his freedom. Characters: Barry Gordon, NaomiLocation: Cave near the African village
Barry Returns Staggering — Barry staggers into the village after escaping captivity. Characters: Barry Gordon, Muriel Bekkman, Nathanial BeekmanLocation: African village
A Changed Man
Muriel recognizes Barry's courage and declares her love for him. Barry gives up drinking, and the two marry.
Key Events
Muriel Recognizes Barry — Muriel recognizes Barry as the better man because of his sacrifice. Characters: Barry Gordon, Muriel BekkmanLocation: African village
Barry Renounces Drinking — Barry decides to swear off drinking after his ordeal. Characters: Barry Gordon, Muriel BekkmanLocation: African village
Barry Marries Muriel — Barry and Muriel marry after he resolves to change his life. Characters: Barry Gordon, Muriel BekkmanLocation: African village
Story Breakdown
Virginia Love Triangle — Barry's insecurity begins with his belief that Muriel prefers his brother.
Shared Love — Barry and his brother are both in love with Muriel.
Emotional Withdrawal — Barry turns to heavy drinking and leaves for Paris.
Parisian Despair — Barry assumes Muriel will marry his brother and becomes increasingly isolated.
Marriage Assumption — Barry believes Muriel loves his brother best.
Moroccan News — Barry learns that his brother has been lost in Morocco.
Moroccan Search — Barry travels to an African village and discovers the truth about the disappearance.
Village Arrival — Barry reaches the nearest African village.
Captivity Revealed — He learns that his brother is being held captive.
Sacrificial Exchange — Barry chooses danger and captivity so that his brother can be released.
Place Exchange — Barry agrees to take his brother's place.
Payment Promise — He promises the captors a handsome payment.
Village Anxiety — Muriel and Nathanial arrive, celebrate the release, and worry about Barry.
Family Relief — Muriel and Nathanial rejoice when the captive brother is released.
Unanswered Danger — Their relief turns to concern because Barry remains missing.
Cave Escape — Barry's captivity reaches its most dangerous point before Naomi enables his escape.
Naomi's Assistance — Naomi helps Barry escape from the cave.
Fatal Sacrifice — Naomi is killed while helping Barry gain freedom.
Love Earned — Barry returns transformed, and Muriel responds to his courage and sacrifice.
Recognition — Muriel recognizes Barry as the better man.
Reform And Marriage — Barry quits drinking and marries Muriel.
Barry Gordon, the older son of a Virginia colonel, inherits a taste for alcohol--a habit that caused his father's death. His brother, Tom, falls in love with Muriel Beekman, their guardian's daughter. Barry also loves her but feels rejected. Three years later, after extended travels, Barry learns that Tom, having been sent to Morocco by Mr. Beekman, has been captured by desert marauders and is being held for ransom. He begins a search for him and in Tangiers encounters the Beekmans and Kitty Van Ness. Barry and Muriel discover their love for each other, but he refuses to commit himself while Tom is still alive.
