Lieut. Howard West and Agnes Boyd are plighting their troth in the presence of Father Aston and other friends. Immediately afterwards West is ordered to report to his regiment in the Philippines to head a foray in a hostile territory. During a raid, he is shot. Badly wounded, he wanders about weak from loss of blood, until he is found by a native, who nurses him back to health. He is reported dead at military headquarters, and to his loved ones at home. The sad tidings are broken to his sweetheart, Agnes, who seeks the seclusion of a convent. West regaining his strength returns home, and is welcomed by his brother John with open arms. Howard now makes inquiries for Agnes. John informs him that she is not married, but has entered a convent. Howard then rushes to the convent, and arrives just in time to witness Agnes volunteering to go to the leper colony to care for the unfortunates. Father Anton recognizes Howard, and the young man is in conversation with the priest when Agnes appears clad in the habiliments of her sacred order. Howard and the girl meet and recognize each other. Howard extends his arms and Agnes falls unconscious into the protecting arms of Father Anton. Howard leaves while the girl is unconscious. Realizing that Agnes is lost to him, he is taken ill and desires the attendance of Father Anton, who comes, bringing Agnes with him. The scene of the parting of the lovers is intensely dramatic; Agnes destined to a life of labor and plague-stricken community leaving her lover without even a caress, and West racked with emotion, is only softened by the words of comfort from the Holy Father. The story closes with Howard receiving comfort and consolation from the kind priest.