Billy Emerson and Mildred Girard are secretly engaged to be married after Billy graduates from West Point and becomes a lieutenant. A very serious setback to their tentative understanding occurs when Mr. Girard loses heavily in a stock transaction that places himself under obligations to his friend Morley, whose son Paul, is anxious to marry Mildred. He asks Mr. Girard for his daughter's hand and he, in return for his father's favor, consents to, and insists upon the marriage. Paul Morley is an inveterate "dope" fiend and secretly and periodically applies the needle to his arm. After his marriage to Mildred, his father discovers that Paul has the morphine habit and disinherits him. Mildred, with her father and mother, go abroad and while away, receive news of the death of Paul Morley. Mildred, now a widow, ends the news to Billy Emerson, and says she longs to see him and has never ceased to love him. Billy, who is now a lieutenant, stationed at the Philippines, cables back word to Mildred of his constancy and hopes for the fulfillment of their engagement. Billy cannot leave his post so Mildred goes to the Philippines and there they are married with military honors in the sunshine of the tropics.