Her Bargain (1917)

Irma Stanton mother spends more than she can afford on Irma's wardrobe, visits her wealthy aunt, and they go to the seashore where they meet actress Estelle Hutton and her theatrical backer, Vincent Henderson. After Irma's aunt discovers that Irma is acting in an amateur show, she sends the girl home. Later, determined to become an actress, Irma takes a position in Henderson's office and accepts his bargain that if he makes her a success she will give him sexual favors. When rehearsals for a play begin, Estelle, jealous of Henderson's attention to Irma, warns her about Henderson's past. Because Irma disregards the admonitions, Estelle destroys her wardrobe, but dies accidentally while trying to escape from the theater. Meanwhile, Irma's father and former sweetheart search for her and overhear Henderson arranging to meet her at the Hilltop Inn. After Irma's father and sweetheart chase Henderson and Irma in an auto, Henderson crashes to his death over a cliff and Irma is saved.