Plot

Because of Richard's indolent habits, Mabel refuses to marry him. To show his ability to make good, the boy leaves for one of the South Sea islands as secretary to the U.S. Consul. Richard meets Sahki, a native dancing girl. Shortly afterwards, he makes her his wife according to the native rites. Sahki's heart almost breaks when Richard later tells her he must return home. Although he promises to return shortly, the boy forgets Sahki when he meets Mabel upon his return to the States. Mabel agrees to marry Richard. On the island of Maukalu, Sahki, with her newborn babe in her arms, waits for her lover's return. Langbaum, a theatrical manager, comes to the island and sees Sahki dancing before her child. The man induces her to come to America and go on the stage. Because it will take her near Richard, Sahki leaves her home. Nahaku, her sister, goes with her. The night before their wedding, Richard and Mabel go to the theater. Richard is thunderstruck when he discovers Sahki on the stage. The girl does the "Dance of Death." The weird dance scores a tremendous success. Sahki is compelled to respond to the demand for an encore. Just as the music commences, her eyes fall upon Richard; intuition tells her he has proven faithless. Sahki throws herself into the dance, holding the audience spellbound. At the climax, she raises her knife and plunges it into her heart. Consternation reigns when it is discovered that the "Dance of Death" has ended in grim reality. Richard hastens to the dressing room. He clasps Sahki in his arms just as she breathes her last. Nabaku grimly places his child in the man's arms. Thus Mabel finds him. The remorse-stricken man tells her the dreadful story. Filled with pity, Mabel takes the infant from Richard's arms and promises to love it as though it were her own.—Moving Picture World synopsis