The Branded Woman (1920)

Ruth grows up not knowing her mother Dot Belmar runs a gambling house. Ruth's grandfather, Judge Whitlock, disowns his son and makes Dot swear never to claim her daughter. He adopts Ruth under the name of Sawyer. When Ruth attends a boarding school, her mother decides to get even with the Judge. So she visits Ruth at the school, causing Ruth to be dismissed. Then Dot takes her to the gambling house to assure the girl's downfall. But Ruth is rescued by Whitlock, who has the house closed down. The Judge introduces Ruth to Douglas Courtenay, a British diplomat. Courtenay is recalled to Paris on a mission, and Ruth and the Judge sail on the same ship. Soon, Ruth and Courtenay fall in love and are married in Paris. They have a daughter. A few years later, while living in Paris, Ruth is visited by "Velvet" Craft, who was Dot's partner. Craft informs Ruth that her mother was killed in a fire. He demands money from Ruth or else he will reveal the truth about her mother's background to Courtenay. Ruth bribes him with her jewels. Courtenay discovers something is amiss, so he hires a detective. The detective spies Ruth visiting Craft. When Ruth runs out of jewels, Craft tells Courtenay about Ruth's mother. Courtenay cannot forgive Ruth for keeping the truth from him. Ruth leaves Courtenay and goes to Whitlock. Courtenay follows her, and begs forgiveness. The couple are reconciled. Judge Whitlock offers Craft a ticket to South America to get him out of the picture.