The Market of Vain Desire (1916)

John Armstrong, a young minister, is called to a great metropolitan church from a small country parsonage. He has been there but a short time when he is utterly disgusted with the sham and hypocrisy of the fashionable persons of his congregation who affect religion. That is, he is disgusted with all save Helen Badgley, daughter of the millionaire patron of the church. But one day he is asked to announce from the pulpit the engagement of Helen to the repulsive Count d'Montaigne, and convinced the man is all that is loathsome in manhood, he protests to Helen. She readily admits she does not love the Count, but declares that love marriages happen only in story books. Pondering this situation in a walk about the streets, he encounters a woman of shame, and there dawns a mad idea whereby he may solve the problem. He bids this woman come to his church on the Sabbath and he will pay her well. Eventually she agrees. Next morning, in the church, he takes for his theme the degradation of marriage. And calling Belle, the woman of shame, from the vestry, he draws a parallel which no one can mistake between the case of the girl who peddles her pitiful body for gain and the girl who barters her beauty in the market of vain desire. The scandal that follows breaks up the match of Helen and the Count. With all his wrath at the new minister, Millionaire Badgley has discerned truth in his words, and he orders the Count from his home. But not before he learns that his wife has actually contracted with the nobleman to marry Helen. The Count goes, threatening suit. Armstrong is reading in his study when the Count enters and demands that he accompany him to the side of Helen's mother, and retract his words. Of course. Armstrong refuses, and as he turns to his chair again the Count strikes him a heavy blow over the head with his cane. Horror-stricken at what he has done, the Count flees the country. The directors of the church. calling to inform Armstrong that his resignation is automatic, find him lying upon the floor. They send for a doctor, and for Badgley, who arrives, accompanied by Helen, who has found that Armstrong means much to her. The outcome is swift and satisfying.