Through the machinations of John Gates, a dishonest employee, Martin Drew, affianced to Helen Redmond, is wrongfully accused of theft in the bank where the two men work. Although in love with him, Helen lacks the moral courage to stand by Martin in his hour of trial, and breaks off their engagement. Discouraged, Martin goes to a distant city, but fails to find employment. He meets Edna Thompson by rescuing her from two toughs. He falls in love with her and she frankly tells him her life's history and its many vicissitudes and questionable associations. With a full understanding of her past, they are married and go to the country. Martin and Edna succeed, after a time, in securing a farm to work on shares, and are very happy in the new life. Gates, the dishonest cashier, is detected in a serious defalcation, and before being taken to jail, confesses to the directors of the bank that Martin is not guilty of the previous theft. The bank officials immediately get in touch with Martin, and he is reinstated as cashier of the bank. Edna has misgivings at the thought of the change, but for a time they live happily in the city. Helen Redmond, still in love with Martin, is very bitter on learning he is married, and her love is turned to hate. She learns in a peculiar way of Edna's past and forces her to go away by threatening to reveal it. Edna at first refuses, but for Martin's sake she at last goes quietly away to the little country farmhouse where she and Martin had been so happy. He is furious on learning of her departure, curses Helen and follows Edna with all possible speed. He finds her sitting disconsolately on the doorstep of the little house, and the shadows of the past are soon forgotten in their reunion in the midst of sunshine and love.