Christine Brent, who lives with her father, James, in a small Texas town, is wooed by Maurice Maxwell, an unscrupulous businessman. She rejects Maurice's advances, befriending instead Carl Randolph, a young man who seeks refuge after shooting a Mexican for insulting the American flag. Christine gives Carl money, and on her advice, he goes East. Left helpless after her father is injured in a crippling accident, Christine agrees to marry Maurice so that her father can live in comfort. However, the demoralized James kills himself and soon after, Maurice and Christine move to New York City. Christine comes to hate her abusive husband, and when Maurice hires Carl, now a successful attorney, her old love is rekindled. Unscrupulous as ever, Maurice robs the inventor, Brinkeroff, of a valuable patent and then murders him. Brinkeroff's wife, Metta, suspects Maurice of the murder and secures a job in his home to gather evidence against him. Her prudence is rewarded when she overhears Maurice admit to the crime. She kills him in a state of rage but is acquitted by a sympathetic jury. With all obstacles removed from their path, Christine and Carl begin a new life together.