The Lottery Man (1919)

Jack Wright, a reporter and a gambler by nature, loses $500 that he borrowed from a college friend named Foxhall Peyton. The city editor fires Jack. But Peyton owns the newspaper for which Jack writes, so to cover the loss, Jack comes up with the idea of a marriage lottery, with himself as the prize. At $1 a ticket, the idea goes over big, and money comes pouring in. Jack meets Helen, Peyton's cousin, and falls for her. But he can't marry her because he is obligated to marry the winner of the lottery. Meanwhile, every woman in town seems to be buying a ticket for a chance to marry Jack, which could lead to some interesting matchups. The winning ticket is claimed by two girls; one who bought it and one who found where it was hidden. Neither will give Jack up, so half the lottery money is divided by the two, and the other half, $150,000 is given to Jack, who starts his married life - with Helen.