On the Stroke of Three (1924)

A financier, Lafayette Jordon, attempts to buy property in the Ashaluna Valley, in order to build a reservoir as part of a power development project. The chief obstacle to his plan is a young inventor, Judson Forrest, who refuses to part with the family homestead that blocks a proposed sluice-way. Seeking money to finance his invention of a new kind of stove, Judson mortgages the family home and goes to New York. There, he falls in love with Mary Jordon, the daughter of the financier. Meanwhile, back home, the village banker sells the mortgage on the Judson homestead to lawyer Henry Mogridge, who begins foreclosure procedures. When Judson hears of this transaction, he breaks off with Mary, believing that she has been "using" him. With the help of friends, Judson raises the necessary money to prevent the loss of the Forrest property and pays off the mortgage in the nick of time. When he learns that neither Mary Jordan nor her father knew of Mogridge's action, he reconciles with her and obtains Lafayette Jordan's permission to marry her.