Joe Strickland, a civil engineer, has fallen to the level of living off Bessie Hayes, a bootlegger. Bessie believes Joe is trying to steal their savings, and they decide to part. She opens a manicuring establishment and marries wealthy Harvey Larkin; shortly after their marriage, Harvey begins to neglect Bessie for the company of others. Joe saves society girl Marion Winslow from drowning, reforms himself, and marries Marion. Bessie is blackmailed by Frank Bowman, a former confederate, and goes to Joe for help. Marion becomes jealous and threatens divorce. Harvey casts Bessie out when she confesses her past. She straightens matters out between Joe and Marion, but realizing that she, a woman, will never be forgiven for her past sins, she commits suicide.