The Coveted Heritage (1914)

• 66%
• 1914
• Drama
• Bertram Bracken
• Henry King
• Jackie Saunders
• Henry Stanley

Arnold Truesdell, a rich invalid, requests his secretary, Robert Sheridan, to summon his lawyer. Truesdell is the foster father of Marion Robertson, the child of his bosom friend who died some time ago. His happiness with the little girl was soon dissipated, for she was kidnapped by a gypsy whose enmity he had aroused. Truesdell dictates his will, leaving the estate to the missing child, and in the event of her not being found within a year the property would revert to the secretary and Margaret Frazer, the housekeeper. After making the will Truesdell passes away. Through the years following her kidnapping Marion continues to live with the gypsies. Tiring of their tyranny she runs away. Hearing the sound of a church organ she timidly enters the sacred edifice. She is accorded a cordial welcome, and is adopted by one of the women of the congregation. Meantime, the required year having nearly elapsed, the secretary and housekeeper are confident that they will inherit the estate. The minister of the little church has in the meantime fallen a prey to Marlon's charms. Hoe, one of the gypsies, who is also in love with Marion, searches for her. Noticing in a newspaper that Marion has been discovered by the attorney of the estate, the secretary determines to have her put out of the way and hires two gangsters to kidnap her. They accomplish the deed. Bound and placed in a trunk she is thrown overboard. Her continued absence causes great alarm and the minister seeks her. His search leads him to the waterfront. He overhears the kidnapper and the secretary discussing her disposal and 'phones for the police, who soon get on the secretary's trail. The trunk is found by Gypsy Joe, who is horrified to discover its contents. Gypsy Joe takes Marion back to her home, where she arrives in time to see the arch-conspirators being led away by officers of the law. Realizing then the great love which has been awakened in the minister's heart, her happiness seems complete, the only shadow being the fact that she must discourage the love of the gypsy boy.