Plot

Mary Ryan, a woman of the underworld, grows ill from overwork, squalid living conditions, and ill-treatment by her companion, Joe Hand. At night, while he sleeps, Mary secures some money she had secreted, and leaves for Arizona, where she meets Charles Fox, a civil engineer. They become engaged, Mary concealing her past. Hand, in the meantime, has drifted westward and reaches the town Mary lives in. He robs the post office, is discovered, and being chased by the sheriff's posse, seeks shelter in a cottage which proves to be Mary's. They recognize each other. He frightens the girl into hiding him, just as Fox enters for a visit. Mary introduces Hand as her cousin. Hand becomes jealous and angry when he sees the affection existing between the two, and starts telling Fox of Mary's past. Fox angrily makes him stop talking, just as the posse passing the cottage sees the robber through the window. They enter and capture him. As he is dragged off he continues to denounce Mary. She denies it to Fox, and he believes her. However, the girl's conscience troubles her later, and she confesses to Fox, who is heartbroken and leaves her in disgust. Mary writes a farewell letter to Fox and prepares to die. Fox repents and starts to return. From a distance he sees Mary placing a pistol to her head. Rushing in, he seizes her and throws away her weapon, as she sinks in his arms.—Moving Picture World synopsis