The Bond Within (1916)
Elsie Moore is loved by Tom Scott. Tom is to inherit a large fortune if he does not marry before his twenty-fifth birthday. Because of the fortune that will be theirs the marriage is postponed. Elsie, on a visit to her country home, takes her old doll in her arms. It dissolves into a tiny baby and her heart is filled with joy. But, gazing at her hand, she sees no wedding ring. She hurries to tell Tom the news, but finds that he is on his way to Cuba. Her letters are unanswered, because for months he is at the point of death. Sooner than bear her shame alone, Elsie goes to the far-off city of San Diego, and there her baby boy is born. She leaves him in the care of the kind Mexican woman, Maria, promising to return. The war ever, Scott comes into his inheritance and hastens to Elsie. They are married and leave for San Diego immediately. They find Maria has returned to Mexico, taking their child with her. Elsie is remorseful, knowing that she has sold her child for gold. Then follows a fruitless search in Mexico. Years pass. It is 1914. Elsie, through constant brooding, is mentally unbalanced. Scott, now a commanding officer, goes to Mexico. Elsie, prompted to search for her son again, leaves by the inland route. In Mexico, Fidele, as Elsie's son is called, is betrayed into the Mexican Army, but since his childhood his dreams have been of America. Elsie is held up by the Mexican troops and condemned to be shot as an American spy. Fidele saves her, however, but she does not recognize him. Then comes the American capture of Vera Cruz. Elsie is barricaded in a house. Old Maria is in prison. Scott leads the Americans through the streets. Fidele is on a roof with the Mexican snipers. When the Mexican next to him jestingly says that he is going to pick the American officer Fidele looks in alarm at Scott. Some irresistible force causes him to stay the Mexican's hand; the latter starts a struggle with the boy. Maria from her cell sees all. The Mexicans defeated, the work of removing the dead and wounded is begun. Elsie rushes out of her hiding place to her husband; he is amazed to find her in Mexico. Old Maria is allowed to leave the prison to find Fidele. She carries the boy across the street and comes face to face with Elsie. The latter asks for her son, and Maria points to Fidele. As Elsie weeps over the dying boy he looks up tenderly and says, "Something within me stirred when I first saw you. Now I understand why." As Elsie kisses him he passes away.
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Domestic
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International
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Worldwide
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Edward Sloman | Director |
| Julian La Mothe | Writer |
| Siegmund Lubin | Producer |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| George Routh | |
| Adda Gleason | |
| Harry Russell | |
| Joyce Wardlow |
