Her Final Choice (1913)

• 67%
• 1913
• Drama

May Walcott, living in a Pennsylvania mining town, has two lovers, Tom Hodges and Jim Hastings, both of whom are miners in one of the great collieries of the town. She has always regarded them with equal favor, but one day the men quarrel and agree to put the matter plainly to May and let her decide between them. She is unaware of Tom's real character, and as Jim has been somewhat backward in his attentions to her, she chooses Tom. That evening a neighbor rushes into the house of May's family and announces an explosion and cave-in at the mine. May rushes out to the shaft in company with the villagers. At the mine she meets Jim and begs him to go down into the mine and save Tom. Jim refuses at first, but finally gives way to her entreaties and enters the shaft. Instead of going to work that evening, however, as May thought, Tom has stopped on the way at a saloon, where he is drinking and gambling. He and his companions are not moved by the news of the disaster, but continue their game. Finally Tom goes broke and quits. He goes to the mine, where he meets May. May begs Tom to go down and rescue Jim. He pushes her aside with a sneer and refuses. She is shocked at his intoxicated condition. Just then Jim appears, borne on a stretcher. The contrast is enough to show May which man is worthy of her love, and falling on her knees beside Jim, she begs his forgiveness, which is freely granted.