Lucy Winter, raised in the lap of luxury, has reluctantly accepted the suitor of her father's choice. George Turner, whose aunt has recently died, leaving him a necklace of peculiar antique beauty, has decided to search for his father, whom he has always believed dead. Passing a beautiful old southern mansion, which somehow seems strangely familiar, he sees a sign, "Gardener Wanted," applies for the position and is accepted by the girl Lucy, with whom he falls in love, to the chagrin of her banker father, who orders him to leave, after recognizing the necklace which the boy has given Lucy in lieu of an engagement ring. During a troubled sleep Father Time leads Winter's conscience to review his past. This extends over eighteen years, during which we see Winter installed as gardener at the Turner mansion. He becomes the pal of his master, Carlyle. They both love the same girl, Lucy Lee, who elopes with Winter. Their married life is one continued struggle. Previously Turner has given the antique necklace to Lucy as a wedding gift. This she later places in Carlisle's hands as security for one of the loans he made to her in their struggle against poverty. She has led her husband to believe the money came from her mother, but he knew the truth, and accepted Carlyle's friendship, planning his ruin at the same time. Through the loss of Lucy's love, Turner passes many restless nights, eventually resorting to morphine, which finally masters him. Winter rises to the position of bank cashier, forecloses a mortgage on the Turner mansion, ousts Carlyle as bank president, and becomes president himself. Turner has been wrongly convicted of murder and sent to prison for life. Lucy, realizing the despicable character of Winter, and really in love with Carlyle, dies of a broken heart. We see Father Time leading Winter's conscience back into his body, and he wakes, calling "Lucy! Lucy!" George Turner arrives at the house and reads a number of letters, including one from his father, accusing Stephen Winter of being the cause of his troubles. He determines on revenge and hastens to the Winter mansion. Pity takes the place of anger at sight of Winter, and the old man tells George how it happened, giving his promise that he will secure his father's pardon. Soon George is able to bring his father from prison to the Winter Mansion. Winter tries to make amends to Carlyle, and the two leave the room arm in arm and the children give each other the previous promise, "I will."