Jim Warren is awaiting death by hanging for the murder of Harry Silvers though his attorney, Lawrence, believes he is innocent and is shielding the guilty person. In a flashback to 1904, Jim recalls the events leading to the present: his new bride, Norma Drake, discovers their marriage is technically invalid and that she is pregnant. Jim decides to reform and legalize his marriage, but Norma is arrested and found with some stolen money. To insure her freedom, he agrees to marry Millie Burke, a saloon owner. Phil, a faithful friend of Norma's, persuades her that Jim has deserted her, and for the child's sake she agrees to marry him. Years later, little Norma has grown up, and on the eve of her wedding, Jim, accompanied by Silvers, a crook, confronts Phil with Norma's letters and suggests blackmail. When Silvers abuses her dead mother, Norma shoots him with Jim's revolver. As Jim is being led to execution, Norma appears and confesses, but he denounces her; at the last minute Phil corroborates Norma; Jim is then freed, and Norma is absolved by a jury.