True Nobility (1916)

Phil Burton, a Harvard man of common parentage, returns to his western home the same loving and unassuming boy, for all his eastern experience, to gladden the hearts of his old-fashioned mother and Dad. Effie Marsh, Phil's childhood playmate, calls to tell them she is going to New York so that she may follow an art career. To better fit himself for the profession of mining engineer, Phil goes prospecting in the hills, where he finds a miner dying from smallpox, and regardless of personal danger, he cares for him. The miner assigns his claim to him, although Phil tries to find out if there are relatives, but before all his inquiries are answered, the miner dies leaving Phil a picture of himself and sister and the information that his dead sister is survived by a little daughter whose whereabouts he knew not. The claim proves valuable and Phil negotiates with a mining company for its development, the president of which is Count Nicasio, husband of Claudia Nicasio, a worshiper of social rank. Phil is invited to the Nicasio home and there meets Claudia's sister, Jean Bradford, who is expected to marry a title in the person of Lord Devlin, a profligate. Effie finds her dream of an art career empty and goes to work as a model. In this way she meets Devlin, who wins her affection, and after finding that she is the heir to Phil's mining claim and unwilling to assign her rights to him he casts her aside. Phil and Jean soon become attached to each other, which inflames Devlin. About this time, Phil's parents decide to surprise him by a visit. They arrive while Phil is at dinner with the Nicasios, and Devlin stopping in at Phil's apartment on his way to the dinner finds them and for the purpose of discrediting Phil with the Countess and her set, he suggests that the old people attend the dinner just as they are, assuring them of a welcome. Phil does welcome them, but they are treated contemptuously by the Countess and her guests and Phil takes them away indignantly. Jean, who has been disturbed by her sister's conduct and more than ever impressed with Phil's nobility, sends him a note the next morning, asking him to meet her in the garden, where they pledge their love. The Countess has a secret lover, and by accident mails a note intended for him to Devlin. This he uses as a lever to force his suit with Jean. Jean, engaged in charitable work, discovers Phil, comforting Effie, whom he saves from suicide and sends home, and misconstruing his action she listens to her sister's persuasion and consents to marry Lord Devlin. After an explanation, however, the lovers are reunited. Claudia confesses and begs Jean to save her from ruin, but Jean refuses. In desperation, Claudia goes to Devlin's apartment with a revolver, determined to get the incriminating letter. Jean follows her fearing trouble. In the meantime. Phil has learned from Effie that she is heir to the mine and of Devlin's attempt to gain control; he goes to call on Devlin in order to regain it and finds Jean alone with him, Claudia having hidden at Jean's approach. Phil gets possession of the two documents, gives Devlin a sound thrashing, and all ends happily for him and Jean.