Roger Pierce decides to go away for a change of scene. Arriving in a small town he purchases workman's clothes, takes lodgings in a modest boardinghouse, and gets a job in the Frederic Paper Mill, where Grace Howard's father is gate-watchman. One noon the watchman is attacked by an intoxicated man; Roger comes to the rescue and drives the man away, just as Grace arrives with her father's dinner and is introduced to Roger. After a time Roger marries Grace. Roger decides to surprise his young wife, so takes her back to his own home in the city, where Roger's mother treats her coldly; later she leaves their home. She leaves Roger a note of explanation; taking a photograph of him and a small bundle of clothes, she leaves and takes lodgings in a tenement house--owned, unknown to her--by Roger's father; upon his death, Roger inherits the tenement block. A few nights later, Grace is putting her 3-year-old daughter to bed in her little room. Sorrow has made deep furrows in her once-handsome face. Then she, too, retires. A fire starts downstairs, caused by a carelessly thrown match. Roger is notified at his club, and arrives in time to rescue Grace, whom he recognizes. He takes her home to his mother, where all are reconciled.
—Moving Picture World synopsis