As described in a film magazine,[1] young Perpetua (Fosse), an orphan, is adopted by Brian McCree (Powell), an artist.

The circus elephant has been pawned by Lamballe, and the artist, seeking the discomfort in the eyes of Perpetua, buys the claim against the animal.

Later, Perpetua is sent to a convent and the discovery is made by the criminal Russell Felton (Miltern) that she is his abandoned daughter.

The crook has been leading a youth, who is heir to some wealth, to physical destruction, and sees in Perpetua (Forrest) an opportunity to further assure himself of the fortune.

Hoping to hasten things, Felton poisons a drought which the young wife gives to her feverish husband.