The Ordeal - Production & Contact Info

The Ordeal (II) (1914)
Short | Short, Drama

The Ordeal (II) (1914)

Short | Short, Drama

Paul is a young hospital surgeon and Esther is a lovely nurse. She has fallen in love with Paul, although he is engaged to Miriam Burke. While walking on the pier at a seashore resort, a little child falls into the water. Paul refuses to ...See morePaul is a young hospital surgeon and Esther is a lovely nurse. She has fallen in love with Paul, although he is engaged to Miriam Burke. While walking on the pier at a seashore resort, a little child falls into the water. Paul refuses to spring into the water or attempt to save the child, this office being performed by another man. Miriam calls Paul a coward and returns her engagement ring scornfully. Upon his return to the hospital where Esther is employed as a nurse, Paul tells her everything. He explains that he is not really a coward, but does not know how to swim. His viewpoint was that had he sprung into the water, he merely would have sacrificed his own life, or made it necessary for someone else to save him. This he did not consider would be heroic. Esther agrees with him. Mrs. Burke, the mother of Miriam, is brought to the hospital for an operation. Miriam comes with her. Dr. Gunn, assisted by Paul, together with Esther and another nurse, are engaged in the operation, when the hospital takes fire. The time when the fire broke out was a critical period in the operation. To move the patient would mean certain death. Dr. Gunn continues heroically at his work. The smoke blinded him. The other nurses flee when the roaring flames threaten to engulf them. When the doctor fails, Paul insists that Esther shall lead him and Miriam to safety, and he will continue. Esther returns through the smoke and flames to be by Paul's side. Together they battle to save Miriam's mother's life, until at last the operation is successfully concluded. Esther and Paul stagger through the hall carrying the unconscious patient, and the party is saved. Paul slowly recovers from his burns. Esther and he are fellow patients. She persuades the nurse to wheel her in her chair to the bedside of Paul, and there she kneels by his side. There is a pretty love scene. The door opens softly and Miriam tiptoes into the room, her face aglow with love for Paul, her hero. Paul and Esther do not hear her enter the room, and Miriam realizes that she is intruding. She recognizes the fact that Paul can never be anything to her, as he is evidently deeply in love with Esther. Miriam closes the door and withdraws. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less

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Cast	+ Add Cast
5 cast members

Name	Known for
Franklyn Hall Dr. Paul West (as Franklin Hall) Dr. Paul West (as Franklin Hall) See fewer	Tess of the D'Urbervilles (1913)
Hazel Henderson Miriam Burke Miriam Burke See fewer	Beulah (1915)
Harry Lonsdale Dr. Gunn Dr. Gunn See fewer	The Ne'er Do Well (1915)
Emma Bell Clifton Mrs. Burke (as Emma Bell) Mrs. Burke (as Emma Bell) See fewer	The Little Diplomat (1919)
Elsie Greeson Esther - the Nurse Esther - the Nurse See fewer	In the Days of Buffalo Bill (1922)