Rather than be forced by her shrewish stepmother into marriage to wealthy but cruel Silas Newton, Ruth Hammond leaves her country home and goes to the city, where she is aided by Violet Benson. Newton finds her there and tries to force his attentions on her, but she has him thrown out of her hotel. Newton spreads false rumors and scandal in the country village, while Pastor Emerson, who loves Ruth, takes Ruth and Violet into his home. In a sermon he denounces Ruth's vilifiers, and the stepmother admits her shortcomings and welcomes the girls back to her home.