Sawdust (1923)

Nita Moore (Gladys Walton), a circus performer, is mistreated by the ringmaster and runs away to join an old couple who are persuaded that Nita is their long lost daughter. Phillip Lessoway (Niles Welch), the couple's lawyer, falls in love with Nita, but after a quarrel he discovers and reveals to the adoptive parents that Nita is an impostor. Nita attempts suicide but is saved from a watery grave by Lessoway.