A Waif of the Desert's primary photo
  • A Waif of the Desert (I) (1913)
  • Short | Short, Western
A Waif of the Desert (I) (1913)
Short | Short, Western
In the early 1850s, an emigrant party headed by John Munro is lost on the desert between Salt Lake and the Sierras. All of its members died except Munro, his wife and child, and Zeke Stevens, a young man of about . Even these are unable to...See moreIn the early 1850s, an emigrant party headed by John Munro is lost on the desert between Salt Lake and the Sierras. All of its members died except Munro, his wife and child, and Zeke Stevens, a young man of about . Even these are unable to proceed any further, on account of lack of water. John Munro dies in a fever, the shock kills his wife and Zeke Stevens and little Chispa find themselves the only two left out of a party of 24. Their death too seems inevitable, when the little one suggests prayer, and the rough plainsman and child kneel together. While they await an answer from Heaven, an emigrant train, headed by James Osborne, rescues them and takes them into California. Ten years elapse and Zeke Stevens is part owner of a lumber camp in the forests of California. The only woman in the camp is Chispa, now a beautiful girl of 17, who has been brought up in utter ignorance of the fact that there are other people in the world. Her one companion is Injun Jack who, from childhood, has guarded and protected her. With her advancement into womanhood, a fierce love has grown up in Zeke's heart, the disparity in their ages never having seemed to him to be an obstacle. Finally others arrive in the persons of Mrs. Osborne, and her daughter, Grace, who have come as the guests of Harry Sinclair, a lumber merchant, who has brought his fiancée and her mother to visit him. They are immediately recognized as being those who assisted in rescuing Chispa and Zeke from death on the desert, and warmly welcomed. A holiday is declared and every man puts on his best to pay respect to the city ladies. The great contrast between Harry Sinclair and the other men she has known causes Chispa to become infatuated, which plunges Zeke into a state of depression. At a dance given in honor of the ladies, Zeke plunges into drink, interrupts the party and challenges Sinclair to fight. This he refuses to do, but suggests an interview alone. They withdrew from the hall to the outside, when a shot from the bushes nearby wounds Sinclair. Zeke is accused of the shooting and is arrested. Zeke is tried and acquitted, when a desire arises in the minds of his friends to drive the strangers from the neighborhood. Accordingly, they set out at once for Sinclair's cottage, where he has been nursed back to health by the three women, and where Chispa's love has increased. When the mob arrives to make its demand, Sinclair asks Zeke for an interview and they withdraw. Chispa, following them, overhears Sinclair say that while he is deeply attracted to Chispa he intends to marry Grace, and in her despair Chispa suddenly disappears. Search for her proves fruitless, but the faithful Injun Jack, believing that Sinclair has spirited her away, makes him a captive, and carries him to a gorge in the mountain, intending to torture him into revealing where he has hidden her. Suddenly the news comes to the camp that Chispa is still wandering in the mountains. Zeke finds her, and at the same time encounters the party which has been in search of Sinclair. Here the play ends with the two pairs of lovers where they should be. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
Read more: Plot summary
Director
Edgar Jones
Writer
Clay M. Greene (story) (as Clay Greene)
Producer
Siegmund Lubin
See all filmmakers & crew (3)
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Nov 27, 1913
Release date
Nov 27, 1913 (United States)

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Cast

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4 cast members
Name Known for
Edgar Jones's primary photo
Edgar Jones
Zeke Stevens Zeke Stevens   See fewer
Lonesome Corners (1922)
Louise Huff's primary photo
Louise Huff
Chispa Munro Chispa Munro   See fewer
Seventeen (1916)
Robert Whittier's primary photo
Robert Whittier
James Osborne James Osborne   See fewer
Master Shakespeare, Strolling Player (1916)
Robert Graham Jr.'s primary photo
Robert Graham Jr.
Harry Sinclair (as Robert Graham) Harry Sinclair (as Robert Graham)   See fewer
The Great Diamond Robbery (1914)
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