Ellen Franklin marries John Locke, but refuses to bear him children because three generations of the women in her family have died in childbirth. Because of his wife's attitude, Locke finds himself drawn to his old love, Constance, now a widow with a child who bears her name. After her sister Marion dies in childbirth, Ellen becomes more obsessed. One day, little Constance seeks Locke at his home but instead finds Ellen, who begins to drive her home. En route, they have a car accident and are hospitalized. When a fire breaks out in the hospital, at the risk of her own life, Ellen rescues Constance and restores her to her mother. With her fear of death vanquished, Ellen no longer dreads having a child, and Locke returns to her.