- Christine Brent, living with her father in a small Texas town, is wooed by Maurice Maxwell, an unscrupulous New York businessman. Christine rejects Maxwell's advances, befriending instead Carl Randolph, a young man who seeks refuge in her cabin after shooting a Mexican for insulting the American flag. Christine gives Carl money and advises him to go East, which he does. Left helpless after her father is injured in a crippling accident, Christine agrees to marry Maxwell so that her father can live in comfort. Brent, however, demoralized, kills himself and soon after, Maxwell and Christine move to New York. Stung by her husband's constant abuse, Christine learns to hate Maxwell, and when Maxwell hires Carl, now a successful attorney, as his counsel, Christine feels her old love rekindled. Unscrupulous as ever, Maxwell robs the inventor Brinkeroff of a valuable patent, and then murders him. Brinkeroff's wife Metta, suspecting Maxwell of her husband's murder, secures a job in the Maxwell home to obtain evidence against him. Her prudence is rewarded when she overhears Maxwell admit to the crime, and outraged, she kills him but is acquitted by a sympathetic jury. All obstacles now cleared from their path, Christine and Carl begin a new life together.
- James Brent, victim of an unjust law, has sought refuge in a village on the Mexican border and his daughter, Christine, shares his exile. Maurice Maxwell, a man of affairs, meets Christine and is infatuated. Brent goes to see a cattle buyer; Maxwell comes and says, "For a woman of your beauty and grace to bury herself in such a wilderness is criminal." In the meantime Carl Randolph drifts into the town. The Fourth of July celebration is taking place. One of the Mexicans takes an American flag from the wall and stamps upon it. Randolph shoots the man and makes his escape. He reaches Christine's home and seeks refuge there. When the Mexicans come Christine hands Randolph the money she has saved for a piano and tells him to go back east and make good. Randolph takes the money, saying that she has given him a new inspiration. The Mexicans shoot Brent in mistake for Randolph, and the physician declares the wound has paralyzed Brent and he will never be able to walk again. Christine earns a living by singing in the saloon. Maxwell comes with a minister. He urges her to marry him, saying he can furnish the money with which to cure her father. Christine consents, though she says that she does not love him. A shot is heard. Brent has committed suicide. Randolph back east, is becoming a successful attorney. He writes to Christine but the letter is returned to him, as she has moved, leaving no address. Maxwell, hearing of Randolph's success, offers him a position as general counsel for the Maxwell Ammunition Company. Randolph accepts, and comes to Maxwell's house during a dinner party. He finds Christine. Brinkerhoff, an inventor, brings plans of a valuable invention. Maxwell tries to steal the plans. Brinkerhoff discovers him. Maxwell kills Brinkerhoff and throws his body in the river. Mrs. Brinkerhoff is convinced that Maxwell had made away with her husband. When Randolph questions Maxwell he says, "She has no proof, besides she has no money to push her claim. So who worry?" Randolph takes up Mrs. Brinkerhoff's case. He places her in the Maxwell home. She fins the copies of the plans. Maxwell decides desperate measures are necessary to get Randolph off the track. He tells his wife to buy off Randolph. Christine, possessed of a desire to test Randolph's love, consents. Christine asks Randolph to call on her at once. She urges him to drop the Brinkerhoff case, if he loves her. "God knows I love you," replies Randolph, "but I cannot do what you ask." He goes and Christine rejoices. Maxwell, who has been watching the proceedings, cries, "You love him." He strokes Christine. "You coward," cries Christine, "I could almost believe you killed Brinkerhoff." "And what if I did?" replies Maxwell. Mrs. Brinkerhoff, who has been eavesdropping, hears this partial confession and kills Maxwell. The jury in Mrs. Brinkerhoff's trial is swayed by sympathy for the defendant and brings a verdict of not guilty. Christine promises her that her husband's invention shall go to her, and Christine and Randolph are happily reunited.
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