Without Reward (1913)
Aravalpa Steve, who has offended the laws of society, has been in hiding and is hungry and thirsty. He must act with caution if he wants to get away, for he knows he is wanted badly. In the ranch house where Freeman lives with his daughter Jess and her little sister, Mona, there is sadness, for the child is sick with fever. Jess watches her and soothes her, for Freeman is bringing Dr. Turner from a distant town. The doctor and Freeman come at last. Freeman is sent to a nearby town for ice to keep on the little fevered head, and the doctor leaves a bottle of medicine with strict orders that it be taken every hour and goes. Steve comes up stealthily, gun behind his back. He will not kill unless obliged. Jess answers his knock and brings him water. She notes his weariness and takes him and gives him food. Steve sees the sick child. He is tender and kind to her. Jess drops the medicine bottle, and the life fluid stains the floor. She is distracted and asks the stranger to ride and get another bottle. He is startled and hesitates. It means death to him. The girl is hurt at his hesitancy and reproaches him. He smiles and takes the address, gives her a torn piece of paper and is gone. Jess reads the note and knows that the man is Aravalpa Steve. Freeman returns with the ice, and together father and daughter fight the dread disease. Steve is recognized by a man who would win the reward. He will not stop, as commanded, and is hit in the arm. He stifles the pain with a curse and speeds ahead to the doctor's door. He runs inside and his pursuer summons the cowboys and the sheriff. Steve refuses the doctor's assistance for himself and hastens the prescriptions. He gets the blessed medicine and goes to the door. Too late! The boys await him and demand admittance. He is caught like a rat in a trap. He dashes to the window and beats it down with a chair as the door gives way and the cowboys surge in. He takes a breath, mounts and calls upon his weary, willing horse for a final effort. The pursuers crowd him and wing him again. Within the small ranch house the watchers await his coming. He bursts in, hands over the medicine and staggers to the door to meet his pursuers. Jess prevents violence by telling them what he has done, and Steve, kissing her hand, pulls himself together and walks crookedly to the sheriff, who places his arm around him and leads him away.
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Domestic
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GenresDrama
Short
IMDbPro
See more details at IMDbPro
| Filmmakers | Role |
|---|---|
| David Horsley | Producer |
