Young John Burton, a successful broker, loves Ramona McCullom, daughter of a king of finance. Howard McCullom, seeing a chance to add millions to his already overflowing coffers, reckons not on the downfall of others, and "bears" the markets until hundreds of smaller brokers are caught in the whirlpool and ruined. John Burton is among them. As he sees his fortune evaporating, he rushes to McCullom and begs him to desist. Old McCullom tells him the policy which has made the McCullom name a power is to crush everything which proved an obstacle to success. Burton, heartsick, turns to leave, when he meets Ramona. The sight of her causes his just anger to rise, and he tells McCullom that the time will come when he may find that policy turned against himself. McCullom orders him from the house and his engagement to Ramona broken. Ruined and hopeless. Burton returns to his office and decides to venture his last $500 in an effort to recoup his losses. He does so; his fortunes rise, and ere many months John Burton is a power in Wall Street. Ramona's love is still steadfast and she seeks reconciliation, but the gold lust in Burton's heart kills all other love. As fate turns Burton's balance high, McCullom's goes lower, until by the end of a year, he is powerless and Burton ruins him completely in the open market. Crushed by age and misfortune, McCullom is now the suppliant to Burton, and is met with the same cutting words which he formerly had addressed to Burton. Home and money lost, Ramona bravely tries to help her father and earns a meager pay as a stenographer. Late one day in returning from lunch, she is first upbraided and then insulted by her employer. Resenting the latter, she is dismissed and returns to her humble room. Old McCullom makes a final appeal to the brokers for credit, and being denied, he invests his last few dollars for a gun, Ramona, hearing of her father's death after a sleepless night, is crushed with sorrow. A few weeks later she meets Burton on the street. He, touched by the tragedy, offers her his hand. She scorns him and refuses the money his secretary takes to her. She writes Burton a note and dispatches it by the secretary. Burton, in his magnificent dining room, receives the note and reads: "I could never accept money gained by crushing human hearts. I trust the lonely after years will bring you light," As he reads the note he takes the ring she had returned to him, and in his mind's eye sees himself a lonely old man, seated at a lonely table, and his head sinks with sorrow on his breast.