Helena Richie leaves her drunken husband, who killed their child, and goes to a small village with Lloyd Pryor. People believe that Helena and Lloyd are brother and sister, and Helena adopts a young boy, David, who had been a ward of the minister, Dr. Lavendar. Helena's husband dies, but Pryor, now tired of Helena, refuses to marry her. Helena tells Dr. Lavendar about her actual relationship with Lloyd, and the minister, shocked by the story, forces her to give up her son. Helena agrees, certain that she is an unfit mother. Finally, the minister becomes convinced of Helena's contrition and allows her to keep the boy.

The Awakening of Helena Richie

Adapted from: The Awakening of Helena Richie by Margaret Deland (1906)

Director: John W. Noble

Year: 1916

Studio: Rolfe Photoplays

Genre: Drama

Survival status: Survives incomplete