A tale of two rivals for the same girl's heart, the loser, a noble fellow who later sacrifices his life in order to save that of his former rival. Both are colliers in the same mine, and pursue their lives, one with the happiness of the girl he loves, the other alone with his aged mother. One day a fire breaks out in the mine, and all but one of the miners make their escape up the elevator ascents to safety. The lone remaining collier is found to be the husband of the young wife. She becomes hysterical and pleads with some of the fortunate miners to rescue her loved one. No one but the former rival and a second volunteer undertake the task. The husband is saved, but the heroic rival forfeits his life. The loss is grievously mourned and all join the common cause of paying homage to the martyr. His aged mother is adopted by the man whom her son saved from a charred grave.