Jerry Long, mine boss, returning from a trip to the city, brings back as his bride Madeline. The people of the mining town she finds utterly uncongenial; the rough housework is distasteful to her, and time hangs heavy during the long hours while Jerry is at the mine. Even when he returns home he is too tired to be a very entertaining companion. Philip Heath comes to town as agent for the newly invented oxygen helmet, with which he has no success, Jerry in particular deriding it. Madeline meets Philip, and his presence makes her life endurable. She has secretly written, asking if she may have back her old position, but while Philip remains, she forgets this. In time Philip discovers that he has fallen deeply in love with Madeline, and determines to leave at once. Madeline is not in the slightest degree in love with Philip; it is simply that he is an embodiment of the city she loves. She accompanies him to the station. While they are waiting for the train, the town bursts into wild excitement; there has been an accident at Jerry's mine, and Jerry is missing. They hurry to the shaft entrance. When told that there is little hope for Jerry, Madeline tries to rush into the shaft, furiously fighting at those who hold her back. Philip realizes that this suddenly demonstrated love for her husband is the great thing of Madeline's life, and he determines to assure, as far as possible, her happiness, by saving the missing man. Philip dons his rejected oxygen helmet and enters the mine. He finds Jerry pinned down by debris, unconscious, and nearly dead from the poisoned air, Philip removes his helmet, puts it on Jerry, takes the man in his arms, and starts for the exit. A second explosion occurs. Philip is badly injured, but grimly fights his way on and out. He lives only long enough to see Jerry, revived by the oxygen helmet. Philip's sacrifice has not been in vain, for Madeline finds herself strangely happy in her household work and in tending the injured Jerry. A letter comes, telling her that her old place is open to her if she can come at once, but, smiling softly, she uses it to light the fire in her little kitchen stove.