The Patriot and the Spy (1915)

Two young people marry in a Continental village and receive the congratulations of all save the rejected suitor. He bides his time while the couple live happily and are blessed twice with children. War is declared after the husband has suffered an injury for life and the rejected suitor enlists. At the front he distinguishes himself, becomes a sergeant and then is captured. In prison, his spirit languishes and he accepts an offer to become a spy. Returning to his native village, the spy tells a thrilling story about how he escaped and is applauded by all. The patriot takes him home, and never hears how the spy made love to his wife behind his back. The wife, however, turned him down as hard as she had done before she was married. The spy now signals to the enemy that the village is free of troops, and when the foreign contingent arrives he tells the commander that an attempt will be made to blow up the bridge behind them. Then he goes back to the village, says help is on the way; the bridge must be destroyed. The patriot offers to do this, and is caught red-handed and sentenced to be hanged. The spy now openly taunts him, telling him he is going to take his wife. As the spy is struggling with the wife, the patriot appears. He is wet and covered with blood, for the rope broke and he dropped into the river and swam ashore. Approaching troops shoot the spy by mistake and the patriot and his wife escape.