Mrs. Herton, a widow, lives in comfortable circumstances with her son, Roland. Over forty years of age, she is still an attractive woman, but lacks self-reliance and is greatly impressed by Geoffrey Stern who seeks her hand. Roland objects to Stern and endeavors to convince his mother that the selfish and unscrupulous suitor has been attracted by the comfortable home and timber lands owned by the widow. But the good woman is deceived by Stern's well-feigned devotion and agrees to marry him. Shortly after the marriage a violent scene takes place between Roland and his stepfather. Seeing that his mother has, in a manner, become estranged from him, he leaves home and finds employment in a sawmill. Roland, through his industry, wins the esteem of his foreman and meets his employer's daughter, Martha. An attachment springs up and the young couple become engaged. Roland, wishing to introduce his fiancée to his mother asks her to accompany him to his old home. When Martha and Roland enter the cottage a pitiful sight confronts them. Geoffrey Stern, in an attempt to realize on his wife's property is on the point of securing her signature to a mortgage. Roland roundly denounces his stepfather and takes his mother to his sweetheart's home. Stern determines to be revenged, as he sees that Roland stands between him and the accomplishing of his designs. He therefore goes to the sawmill when Roland is alone and through an act of startling boldness places the young man in peril of his life. Martha, disturbed because Roland has not come to the house for lunch, visits the sawmill and Stem is turned over to the authorities.