Plot

Philip Norton's life is saddened by the homecoming of his daughter Laura, a vain widow who thinks more of dress and clothes than she does of her ten-year-old son, Frank. His anguish is quite apparent, as he observes his daughter openly make love to Richard Harding, his trusted secretary. Fortunately for the banker's peace of mind, Harding receives Laura coldly and expresses his preference for Helen, a poor seamstress. Laura finds a notebook that Harding dropped, and learns from it that he and Helen have secretly married. Taking the butler into her confidence, Laura outlines a plan for revenge that will put Harding behind prison bars. A few mornings later, Norton discovers his private safe open and the contents scattered about. Suspicion points to Harding and when a pencil inscribed with his initials is found in the room his doom is sealed. A few months later Helen dies as her baby daughter comes into the world. Fifteen years later a dramatic meeting occurs between Laura and the butler who was her accomplice in the safe robbery. The shock kills Laura who leaves a confession absolving Harding of the crime. Meantime Harding's daughter has grown up as a pickpocket, the tool of some clever crooks. The closing scenes of "The Path of Sorrow" picture the reunion of father and daughter, her welcome into the home of Laura's son, the butler's attempt to blow up the banker's home, and for a climax the butler's confession, clearing Harding's name.—Moving Picture World synopsis