Compelled to keep house for her father and her younger sister and brother, Martha is deprived of all the pleasures of youth. Ned, who loves her, begs her to elope with him. Martha yields, but while on the way to the minister, decides that her duty lies back home with her father. Heart-broken, Ned leaves for the city. Hemsley's sudden death throws upon the girl's shoulders the task of rearing the younger children. Fifteen years pass. Maud, the younger sister, marries and moves to the city. Arthur, the brother, is worthless and shiftless. He marries Ida, the lazy good-for-nothing. Martha, feeling it to be her duty, keeps house for this pair. Later, the elder sister receives an invitation to spend a few weeks in the city with Maud. Despite the protests of Arthur and Ida, Martha avails herself of this invitation. Shortly after arriving at her sister's home, Martha is introduced to an elderly bachelor who makes his home with Frank and Maude. To Martha's intense surprise, she finds herself confronting Ned. The old love reawakens and she promises to be his wife. The following morning, Martha receives a letter from Ida imploring her to return. Again the elder sister lays aside her chance of happiness for what she deems to be her duty. When Ned returns that evening, he learns of what has occurred. Filled with indignation, he follows Martha to the country. There Ned finds that Martha is being imposed upon by the worthless couple. He speedily shows Arthur the error of his ways and makes him promise to take care of Ida. Martha's eyes are opened and she marries Ned.