The Gambler's Oath
Directed by David HartfordDave Harding, having left a gambling house where he has won a sum of money from a treacherous Mexican, stands talking to his sweetheart. She sees with horror that the Mexican is at the window with drawn revolver. She steps before Dave and the shot meant for him ends her life. Dave swears to his dying sweetheart that he will never gamble again. Ten years later Dave is a successful man. When the rancher dies, Dave promises to care for his daughter Nell. Later she marries a gambler. Her life is spent in poverty and uncertainty. She waits and watches for Jim, while he drinks, gambles, and finally loses all his money. As a last chance Jim mortgages the ranch house, takes the money and goes once more to the gambling house. Dave remembers his promise to his dying sweetheart, but to give Nell a chance for happiness he breaks his oath and offers to play with Jim. He wins all the money. Jim is desperate. Dave says, "You've nothing left but your worthless life, stake that." The crowd is aghast. Jim accepts, and when he loses and Dave holds out a gun to him the dazed man takes it and puts the barrel to his head. Dave takes the gun away from him, says, "Go; make amends to her, and if you ever gamble again I'll collect my debt." Jim swears that he will reform. The last scene shows Dave in his cabin after the mortgage has been paid, and Jim and Nell are happy once more.
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