The Ragged Heiress (1922)

Facing a prison term, James Moreton makes provision for the care of his motherless daughter, Lucia, by his brother and sister-in-law; she is cruelly treated by them and runs away with her nurse, Nora Burke. As a young woman, she takes the name Lucia Burke, and after Nora's death she gets a domestic position in the home of her uncle--each unaware of the other's identity. The uncle receives word that the girl's father is to pay them a visit, and in desperation he persuades Lucy to pose as their missing ward. Moreton, sensing that his daughter is in love with young Glen Wharton, tries to bring about their marriage; but Lucy confesses that she is being forced to act the part of his daughter. Sam and his wife then confess to the girl's disappearance, and Lucy is astonished to discover that she is actually Moreton's daughter. Reunited with her father, she receives her rightful inheritance and is united with young Wharton.