Mrs. Nelson, a widow, dies, leaving twin sons eight years old, David and Robert. David is adopted by Dr. Sterling, the family physician, and becomes David Sterling. Robert is taken west to Los Angeles, where James Baker, a prominent politician, accepts the boy as his son. Twenty years pass. David's foster father is dead and the young man takes up his practice as a physician in the little Virginia village. Robert has become a rising young politician and is engaged to marry Baker's niece, Grace Dodge. Robert allows his name to be used as a candidate for mayor of Los Angeles, and Monty Brice becomes his campaign manager. The gambling interests are strongly opposed to Robert, knowing that if he is elected they will be closed up. About a week before the convention, David, in Virginia, determines to try to find his brother, knowing only that he was adopted by some man in Los Angeles. He leaves for the west. At the same time in Los Angeles Robert is seized secretly by some of the gamblers and hidden away in a Chinese opium den, where he is held a prisoner. The day of the convention arrives and no trace has been found of Robert. Monty, in a last desperate search, runs across David as he is leaving the Los Angeles railroad station. Monty takes David for Robert, but when he finds he is mistaken, he urges David to dress in Robert's clothes and appear before the convention. David steadily refuses, until he learns through a photograph of his mother that Robert must be his twin brother. Then he agrees to take his place until Robert can be found. Known as Robert Baker to all except Monty, David is elected Mayor. He is also forced to play the part with Grace, who finds a new strength in her lover that makes her care all the more. David finds he loves Grace. Robert is finally rescued; cured by David of the opium habit and placed in the mayor's chair. Grace solves the love tangle.