Returning home from a matinee, Ralph Brent, a poor actor, finds his step-child dead. The child's mother returns intoxicated, having purchased drink instead of medicine for the child, with the money he had given her. He accuses her of causing the little one's death, and snatching the bottle of liquor from which she is about to drink, throws it away. Infuriated, she springs at her husband with a bread knife, stumbles and accidentally kills herself. Fearing that he will be suspected of murder. Brent hastily makes up in the disguise of an old man and leaves the house. He secures board and lodging with Mrs. Lane and Lucy, her daughter, who regard the "old man" as somewhat of a mystery. He reads in the newspaper that he is wanted by the authorities, and decides to continue in hiding for the present. One day Lucy discovers Brent's identity when his wig slips off. He admits he is the husband of the woman supposed to have been killed by him, and after telling his life story, she is convinced that it was an accident. Lucy has fallen in love with Brent and sympathetically offers to help him escape. She persuades her uncle to lend him the money to go to Canada, and sees him to the train. They tenderly clasp hands, and he suddenly stoops and kisses her as the train pulls out. One year later Lucy receives an affectionate letter from Brent, who is now a prosperous farmer, asking her to come to him on the next train. The note also asks her to bring her mother, and encloses a money order for $100.