Wilbur Mason, an elderly millionaire widower, father of Anne, an only child, proposes to Lillian Hill, his stenographer, who accepts him, because of his declaration that he will devote his fortune to restoring the sight of her blind mother. Lillian, in the presence of Henry Parker, a struggling playwright, introduces Mason to her mother as her future husband, Parker, who thinks himself in love with Lillian, imagines his heart is broken. Mason, after the honeymoon, engages a renowned specialist whose operation upon Mrs. Hill is unsuccessful. Lillian now sadly realizes that her sacrifice was in vain. She becomes cold towards Mason. Two years later Lillian and Anne meet Parker of whose great success they have read. Parker and Anne fall in love with each other, Lillian at Anne's suggestion, inviting him to call upon them. Parker does to hoping to meet Anne, but finds Lillian alone. Lillian gives Parker a rose from among those plucked for her that morning by Mason, who knows her love for them and who, unseen, witnessing her act, concludes that Lillian's love for Parker is the cause of her indifference toward him. His jealous rage becoming ungovernable he makes his presence known and orders Parker from the house, first tearing from the latter's coat the rose given him by Lillian. Mason thereafter repeatedly charges Lillian with being false to him and in love with Parker. Parker meeting Anne, accompanies her to the gateway of her home, where she leaves him. Mason discovering him there alone believes that Parker has clandestinely met Lillian, whom he later upbraids, again thrusting the rose before her. Lillian, as the result of Mason's accusations, becomes grief stricken and ill. Despondent she leaves her husband's home and returns to her mother where she fades like roses in the autumn winds. Mrs. Hill, fearing for her daughter's life, goes to Mason who is moved by her heart-broken and anguished appeal. He accompanies her, repentant and remorseful, to Lillian's bedside which he reaches in time to receive with her expiring breath the pardon for which he pleads and to hear the doctor pronounce her dead. Crazed with sorrow, scarcely hearing the doctor's words, Mason is about to lift the coverlet from Lillian's face when he is stricken with paralysis. Later at his home he weeps in secret at sight of the now-faded rose which to him has become a symbol of Lillian. Repenting his mistake, he bids Anne send for Parker and consents to their marriage. Troubled by his conscience, Mason's overwhelming woe permits him no rest, and he goes at dead of night to Lillian's burial place, carrying with him roses which in life she so dearly loved, which he tenderly places over her dust. "Lillian, my faded flower," he cries, "you died a martyr to my unfounded jealousy. May your soul find peace in the Kingdom of Heaven."