Martha, the old nurse, in the employ of Donald Bryce, a wealthy young artist, believes the small happenings in life foreshadow important events to come. Muriel Allen, the daughter of the wealthy William Allen. is much annoyed by the attentions of Leonard Brandon, who really is in love with the fortune he knows will come to her on her father's death. Martha serves Donald his afternoon tea, and when removing the dishes calls attention to the tea leaves, informing him they mean he is to meet a beautiful girl and be very happy. Muriel has seen Donald painting in his garden, and by chance they meet at a weekend party in the country. It is love at first sight, and before retiring that night, they are engaged. The next day, Muriel receives a telegram from Brandon, that her father is seriously ill, and arriving home with Donald, learns that her father died. On his deathbed William Allen tells the doctor that his wife died in the Stanhope County Insane Asylum, also that Muriel is to inherit his wealth. Some weeks later, Brandon again requests Muriel to marry him, but is told that she is engaged to Donald Bryce. Donald calls on his fiancée, and Brandon, who happens to be present, wishes him luck with insanity in the family. Muriel is shocked to hear this, but the doctor has to confirm Brandon's remark. Muriel thereupon breaks her engagement. The news of what killed her mother so unnerved Muriel that the doctor gives her a morphine tablet. Upon arriving home, Donald is served with tea, and Martha again reads signs in the tea leaves, that he is ultimately to have happiness, but with a great deal of torture before obtaining it. Muriel tells her housekeeper she is going away and to close up the house; she also writes, informing Donald of her plan. Arriving in the city, Muriel obtains employment in a department store. Brandon, believing there is great wealth in the Allen house, breaks into it, but is unable to locate the supposed money. To further embarrass Muriel, he has a detective agency in the city watch her, and receiving word that they have discovered her whereabouts, he calls at the store, in which she is employed and induces the manager to discharge her. Brandon calls upon her, but is again repulsed. Looking into the mirror, she realizes she is not the pretty girl of a few months ago, and although tempted to take a tablet, she fights it off, but the habit is too strong and she succumbs. Before the tablet takes its full effect, she has a vision and is being drawn toward Brandon, when just about to fall into her arms, Brandon disappears and there stands a little imp, who tells her if she will continue in her bad habits, he will see that she is made beautiful again. Coming to her senses, she throws herself on her bed and sleeps. Another vision appears to her in the form of angels. Realizing that they are far superior to the people in her former vision, she awakens and resolves never to use a drug again. The next day she goes to the Stanhope County Asylum, and although seeing the record of her mother's death, promises the superintendent that she will go back to her old home, on his assurance that she shows no sign of insanity. Brandon again searches the home, but without result, and is surprised in his work by the return of Muriel. Donald decides to paint the Allen home, and calls his picture "The House With Nobody in It." While sketching the house, a thunderstorm comes up, and, taking refuge on the porch, he hears a struggle inside. He sees Brandon struggling with Muriel, and in a fierce struggle, overcomes Braadon, who falls by the fireplace. A bolt of lightning comes down the chimney, killing Brandon, also knocking away the bricks near the fireplace, disclosing the hidden wealth of William Allen. On top of the box containing the money, is a letter to Muriel, informing her that she was found on their doorstep when but a mere babe. Realizing that it was not her own mother who died in the insane asylum, she readily agrees to become the wife of Donald Bryce.