His Wedded Wife (1914)

Provided she marries before her 21st birthday, Esther Fredericks is to receive a legacy of $25,000. She refuses to consider Marshe, the younger partner, as a husband, when it is craftily suggested by Lawrence, the elder lawyer, and seeks the advice of Loring, their old family doctor. Outside his house she is attacked by a thief, who is routed by Richard Bentley, a friend of Loring's. Later Bentley is badly hurt in an auto accident, and taken to a hospital. As the time is getting short, Doctor Loring suggests to Esther that a marriage of convenience be arranged with Bentley, whose face is concealed by bandages. She agrees and they are married. After the ceremony Bentley sinks back apparently dead. Later the nurse discovers Bentley lives and he eventually recovers completely. Meanwhile Esther, now in possession of the fortune and believing herself a widow, goes to the seashore with her aunt. She is followed by Marshe, who is determined to marry her. Bentley, after leaving the hospital, learns whom he has married, and Dr. Loring sends him to Esther with a letter of introduction under an assumed name. He arrives at the opportune moment to save her from Marshe's forced embrace. Not knowing he is already her husband, she falls in love with him. He proposes and is about to be accepted when Esther learns her husband is alive and well. She is stunned for a moment, but Bentley quickly explains his identity and how he had wooed and won "his wedded wife." Her face is radiant with happiness to know that her marriage of convenience is after all a marriage of preference and love. He doesn't contradict it.

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Summary Details
GenresDrama Short