An innocent man goes to prison for obstruction of justice when his wife refuses to reveal that her father was killed by her mother (and it wasn't suicide). When he is finally released, he meets and becomes involved with a young woman who belongs to the town's influential elite. Once again, he finds himself caught up in intrigue - which eventually leads to his exposing the mayor of the town as corrupt.
During World War I, Francine D'Espard, a young French woman, meets William Holliday, a U.S. Army officer at the front, and they become engaged. Returning to America, William finds his father at the mercy of his business rival, Ezekiel Bates. Shortly after, when Francine arrives in America to marry her fiancé, she is informed that her lover is about to marry Bates's daughter Susan. Her love now turning to hate, Francine devotes herself to the task of destroying her former suitor.
Banker Graham Lawlor is convinced to invest in Silver Shield Mines and becomes president, unaware that promoters Harris, Brennen, and Lester are frauds. He asks his son, Trevor, a small-town lawyer, to join as secretary. Trevor suspects foul play, warns his father, and returns to his practice after a disagreement. Lester, one of the promoters, woos and abandons his stenographer, Brenda Wray. When rumors surface about the mine’s instability, the promoters attempt to place blame on Lawlor. Knowing he holds documents to clear his name, they bribe his servant to steal them. Brenda, seeking justice from Lester, overhears the plan and informs Trevor. Lawlor’s servant, Thompson, is caught, confesses, and clears Lawlor’s name, leading to the arrest of Harris, Brennen, and Lester.
Old Von Shultz, the first violin, finds as he grows older a longing for companionship. Hurrying from the theater the old musician finds little Helen sleeping on the steps of the stage door. He picks her up and takes her to his comfortably furnished home. The old man even grows childish, he is so pleased with the little tot's presence and he gives her the love with which his heart abounds. The next day he learns from the morning papers that Helen's mother and father were lost in a fire. He spends many happy hours with her, playing with her toys. He takes her to rehearsals with him, where she is the pet of the musicians. One year later Helen shows an aptness for the stage. This delights the old musician and the child grows nearer and dearer to his heart. A sad blow, however, comes to him when the Children's Society take the little girl away from him and once more he finds himself a lonely old man.