The Vortex (1918)

Although millionaire Lorimer Van Cleefe loves Joan Meredith, she suspects that he is having an affair with Mrs. Hilda Herford and decides to elope with Albert Dunning. Joan and Albert register as husband and wife at a country inn, but while they are waiting for the minister to arrive, Lorimer, who has taken Mrs. Herford for a drive, sees the couple at the roadhouse and suspects an illicit affair. Albert learns that Joan's father has lost his fortune and immediately leaves her. Meanwhile, Hilda's husband Lew learns of his wife's presence at the inn and decides to kill Lorimer. To save him, Joan claims that it was she who accompanied Lorimer to the roadhouse, but her honor is saved by a call from the minister, who explains that his car broke down on his way to marry Joan and Albert. This paves the way for Joan's union with Lorimer.