Conscience and the Temptress (1914)

John Morton, a rising young businessman, comes under the fascinating spell of Vera Violetta, a burlesque actress, and lavishes costly gifts upon her. His infatuation soon becomes subject for invidious remark, and a fellow employee of his company, writes to Morton's mother that her son is trembling on the verge of ruin, because of the evil influence of this adventuress. The grief-stricken old lady comes at once to the city from the little village where she has lived so long, to see if she can break up this unholy attachment. Mme. Violetta has played her trump card and induced John Morton to sign a $5,000 cheek in her favor. The next day she takes her automobile and speeds to the bank to cash the paper. Her chauffeur runs down and injures an old lady, but Mme. Violetta is good-hearted and takes her in the machine, rushing her to her own apartment, where she nurses her back to life. When the old lady regains consciousness and strength, she tells the woman of the mission that has brought her to the city. Unscrupulous as she is, the adventuress is immeasurably moved and her better nature is aroused. She rushes into her own room and there, in a dissolve, is shown the vision of her own innocent childhood, her blooming girlhood, and then the lonely grave where reposes the dust of her broken-hearted mother. She tears up the check to save Morton from disgrace, and leaves him a note severing their union. When he calls on his inamorata, he finds her gone and his mother waiting with forgiveness such as only a mother can give.

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Summary Details
Running Time11 min
GenresDrama Short