The Ordeal (1914)

Jean Renyea, living a peaceful and happy life with his mother, father and sister, is in love with Helene, a beautiful girl of his neighborhood who reciprocates his ardent affection. Pierre, a hunchback, also passionately in love with Helene, becomes violently jealous of Jean. War is declared, the young men of Jean's town enlisting in the cause. Helene urges Jean to remain with her, and he determines finally not to enlist. Jean's refusal stamps him as a coward among his townspeople. The news of his son's refusal to enlist is brought by Pierre to Jean's father, an old soldier, who takes Jean's action much to heart. He cannot understand his son's attitude in refusing to obey his country's call. Learning that Jean's actions are prompted by his love for Helene, he seeks his son and endeavors to point out to him his duty to his country. The father tells the boy of the incidents of his own career in serving his country, how, by drawing a wagon load of ammunition through the enemies' lines the tide of the battle was turned from defeat to victory. The story arouses the son's true patriotic spirit, and he determines twixt love and duty, and regardless of his sweetheart's pleadings, finally enlists. Before leaving with the recruits Jean falls asleep, and dreams that he is on the firing line and that his troops are hard-pressed, forced back and nigh to defeat. Nightfall brings a cessation of hostilities and the soldiers make their bivouac. Jean, sleeping, sees a vision of his father, mother and sister praying for him and his country's success, and Helene anxiously awaiting his return. Pierre, taking advantage of Jean's absence, renews his attentions to Helene, who persistently refuses him, telling Pierre that she will await Jean's return, Pierre realizing his suit is hopeless. At sunrise the opposing army makes an attack. Jean's troops are forced to retreat, bringing them into the vicinity of his home. Jean's General is severed from his army, but Jean, knowing the country thereabouts, takes him to a place of safety, free from capture. Meanwhile the opposing General takes possession of the town, but furious at not being able to capture his enemy, uses every effort to locate him, but to no avail. Jean, commissioned by his General to bring aid from the main division, is pursued by the enemy's cavalry. He eludes them, and wounded, seeks refuge in his own home. He is observed entering by Pierre, who, realizing that an opportunity for revenge presents itself, informs the General of the opposing forces of Jean's whereabouts. He is captured, after his father has given his life in his endeavor to save his son. Jean, dragged wounded and helpless through the streets, is brought before the General, who, insistent upon learning of his enemy's whereabouts, offers free pardon for Jean if he will reveal the fact. Jean refuses to act the betrayer. To loosen his tongue, the opposing General orders the arrest of Jean's mother and sister, who are brought before him, and threatens them with death if Jean does not speak. The mother and sister in turn both encourage the son and brother to remain steadfast and silent, declaring that they are not afraid to die. Jean refuses to speak, seeing which the General orders the women shot. Even this does not weaken Jean in his purpose, and as a final effort the General, learning of Jean's sweetheart, has her brought before him. At the sight of Helene, Jean wavers and is about to betray his country, but a renewal of his will power causes him to uphold his honor and he remains silent. Helene frantically pleads and appeals to Jean to speak and save her life, declaring that she wants to live and love. Jean remains firm. His sweetheart is dragged from him, and she, too, is served as was his mother and sister. This, proving too much, Jean collapses. The general, in a rage, orders him thrown into a dungeon to await the formulation of other means to cause Jean to speak. Pierre, witnessing all these outrages, becomes terrified at the result of his work. He has seen the woman he loved killed. He becomes mad, and prostrating himself beside the body of the dead, collapses. The opposing General's superior officer, arriving in the town, learns of the cruelty perpetrated, and reprimands him. Jean remains in the dungeon unconscious, while Pierre, who has sought out the General in a mad frenzy, is driven from the town, and wanders aimlessly away. At this time an attack is made by Jean's main army. In the conflict the opposing General is killed by an exploding shell. Rescue of Jean's superior officer is effected and the opposing forces are compelled to retreat, destroying buildings in their wake. The building in which Jean is confined is demolished, and the walls shattered by artillery fire. Jean manages to make his way to the street among the dead and dying and collapses. He awakes from his dream. Jean's folks come to his aid. and finally, after some difficulty, he recovers when he realizes that the horrible events depicted before him were only a dream.