Lena Rivers ('Charlotte Henry'), born in New England under clouded parentage, robbed of her mother at birth, transplanted with her grandmother(Beryl Mercer) to her uncle's plantation in Kentucky, suffered to remain there out of pity and constantly taunted by her cousin, Caroline (Joyce Compton),finds a friend in Henry Graham (James Kirkwood), the owner of the adjoining plantation. Graham's ward, Dorrie (Morgan Galloway), is the apple of Caroline's eye, but he seems to prefer Lena's company to Caroline's, is another discord in the harmony of the home. When Caroline sees Dorrie kiss Lena goodnight she flaunts her with the information that Lena's mother was never married, Lena's cup of bitter tea is filled to overflowing, and a hatred in her heart for her unknown father grows.