Attracted by Mrs. Tally's efforts to break into society, Carl Linden, a parasite, contrives to meet the woman and her family. He cleverly manages to make the socially-ambitious mother believe him a nobleman. Mrs. Tully's son, George, falls in love with Grace, a Salvation Army worker. The girl, however, refuses to marry him, and begs the boy not to press her for her reason. Linden becomes engaged to Helen, George's sister. George induces Grace to call upon his mother. Mrs. Tully is horrified to learn of her son's love for the Salvation Army girl. Linden enters the house just at this time. Sight of him causes Grace to start forward. A moment later the girl denounces Linden, declaring that he had deserted her three months after their marriage. While Helen, heartbroken, falls into Grace's arms, Linden flees from the house. But thought of the stakes he had played for, causes the scoundrel to make one more effort to enrich himself. Knowing that Helen has placed all her valuable engagement gifts in her room, the man climbs up one of the balcony columns and enters the girl's room by way of the window. Grace, endeavoring to console Helen, accompanies the girl to her room. They enter in time to catch Linden at work. Grace grapples with him. The sound of the struggle brings George and his mother to the scene. Linden breaks from his wife's grasp and makes a flying leap through the window. George sees the scoundrel land heavily on the ground. When the boy approaches the spot where Linden lies, he finds the man dead.
—Moving Picture World synopsis