When Conscience Sleeps (1915)
Robert Selwyn, a wealthy broker, has been married about six years and is very happy with his young wife and a baby girl. Later Selwyn meets and falls in love with Grace Bailey, one of those actresses who bring bad repute upon the theatrical profession. On the morning of the anniversary of their wedding, Mrs. Selwyn prepares a "surprise breakfast" for her husband, and is heartbroken when she sees that he pays absolutely no attention to the specially prepared table and decoration. One day, at the office, Selwyn receives a telephone message to come at once to the stock exchange as a business in which he is financially interested, has failed. He has just come to his office after purchasing a magnificent pearl necklace to present to the woman who holds him in her power, and he leaves it lying on his desk as he rushes out to go to the exchange. His wife has come down to see him, and approaches the office building just as he hurries out. As she starts to cross the street, she calls to him, not heeding an automobile that is bearing down upon her. Selwyn, however, sees her danger, and springs forward to save her. He thrusts her back into a place of safety, but is himself struck by the oncoming car and knocked down. He is unconscious when picked up, and a brief examination shows that he is severely injured. He is placed in an ambulance and taken to his home, where for several days he is in a most critical condition. While lying there, almost within the shadow of death, he dreams. In his dream, he sees the accident re-enacted, only it is his wife who is knocked down by the car. He sees her brought home, dead, and is pathetically unable to answer little Betty's question, "Why won't mamma talk?" He sees Grace taking his wife's place in the home, and the child happy with the stepmother. Then he sees himself proposing marriage to Grace, and even in his dream, feels the sting of her taunting reply as she declares while she has been satisfied to have him show her several good times, she is not interested in the idea of married life and a career as a mother and home-maker. While he dreams, one of his employees has brought the necklace bought for Grace, to his home, telling his wife that it has been found on his desk, and that they feared to leave it at the office on account of its value. Mrs. Selwyn brings it to her husband just as he awakens and he, realizing that she suspects nothing of the truth, tells her that he has bought it to give her upon the anniversary of their wedding. Forgetting his past indifference, she thanks him for his gift, while she mentally resolves that never again will she have cause to even accuse him of neglect.
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Domestic
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Worldwide
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| Edward C. Taylor | Director |
| Cast | Role |
|---|---|
| Bessie Learn | |
| Robert Walker | |
| Margaret O'Meara | |
| Sally Crute |
