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In Chicago, a crime syndicate tries to take over a labor union by killing its whistle blower treasurer and framing the honest union boss for the murder.

Showdown in Abilene between lawmen Pat Garrett, Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson and Butch Cassidy's gang over a large shipment of money arriving by train.

After robbing a bank, a criminal is wrongfully pardoned from prison.

Sally McGill, a little Irish girl, brought up in a particularly sordid section, is compelled to work to support her entire family. Ben Blaney, the young foreman where she works, loves little Sally. Mrs. Rockwell, wealthy and childless, finds joy in taking a limited number of the poorest children to her country home each summer, and she selects those whom she will take. While visiting the lower East Side, which is distinguished by the name of "Pigtail Alley," she meets Sally and impulsively asks her to go along to earn her board and keep by caring for and helping with the children. Sally is overjoyed. Ben Blaney, however, proposes to Sally and is rejected. Mrs. Rockwell's niece, Isabelle, is jealous of Sally and takes a violent dislike to her. Sally's ambition is to become a refined lady like those about her, and she is attracted to Paul Taylor, but knows she is inferior to him. Isabelle succeeds in having Sally discharged. She then goes to work in a millinery store where she has opportunities to learn the refined ways she so admires, and joins a library to study on this subject. Mrs. Rockwell, in need of a maid, seeks little Sally out and offers her the position, and she again meets Paul, who proposes to her on her way home one evening, but she, realizing the great social gulf between them, does not consent and tells him he must never see her again. She leaves Mrs. Rockwell's employment to become an artist's model and because she pledged Mrs. Rockwell to secrecy about her new address, Paul goes to her mother, who, believing there is a possibility of a rich marriage, gives him Sally's address. Paul waits for Sally and escorts her home, standing in the doorway for a chat. Ben sees them just as Paul is embracing Sally and in a rage strikes Paul down. Later, when Ben learns that Paul has asked for Sally in marriage, he tells Sally that they are not made of the same clay, and that she has outgrown "Pigtail Alley," and he hopes that she will be happy with Paul. She goes to Paul and he holds her in his arms and finishes the sentence he started in the hallway, which Ben interrupted, "When do we start for South America?"

When a judge is financially ruined by Peter Brownley, a Wall Street millionaire, his daughter seeks revenge by getting a job in the tycoon's office. She manages to discover information that she believes her father can use to recover his swindled money and do to Peter what he did to her father. However, she meets and falls in love with Robert, the son of the man who ruined her father. Complications ensue.

Kindhearted Charles Wendel, who has built his pushcart grocery business into a prosperous enterprise, adopts little eight-year-old Mary Brian after her mother dies in poverty. The little girl becomes the angel of the house, beloved by all. Wendel's dream is that his son Ralph will carry on the business, but when Ralph graduates from college, he decides that he is too good for the grocery business. Instead, he goes to work in a bank where he falls prey to swindlers who convince him to forge his father's name on a $100,000 check. When the forgery is discovered, the old man covers the check at the cost of his own financial ruin. Ralph, chagrined, leaves home to make good and soon after returns, prosperous, to wed Mary and restore the fortune and happiness of the Wendel family.

What the heart of a woman can endure is evident in the life of Bull Robinson's wife. Aware soon after her marriage that she is condemned to endure the brutalities of a bestial foundry man, she puts up with his actions because she has taken him for better or worse. The birth of their daughter Lily makes very little difference, her only consolation being the noble friendship of Bob Brown whose compassion goes so far as to shield her and advance the interests of her husband for more than seventeen years. Lily, now grown, is attracted to young engineer Harry Dunton, although her father favors a young foundry hand for his daughter. When Dunton invites Lily on a date, she and her mother scrape together their savings in order to purchase the girl a new dress, only to have her father forbid her to wear it. Lily, angered, accuses Bull of not being her father, an accusation which arouses his suspicions regarding Bob Brown's devotion to the Robinson family. Tormented by his jealousy, Bull attacks Brown and is badly worsted in a fierce struggle. He staggers home to be cared for by his wife and daughter, causing him to finally realize that he has given them little in return for their long years of devotion.

Agatha, called "Miss Petticoats," is daughter of a French nobleman and an American woman, lives with her grandfather, Captain Joel Stewart, since the death of her mother years before. Knowing nothing of her royal heritage, Agatha gladly takes a job as secretary to the wealthy Sarah Copeland, whose nephew, Guy Hamilton, immediately begins pursuing the new employee. Jealous of Agatha, one of Guy's former sweethearts, Mrs. Worth Courtleigh, starts spreading rumors about her, and when Joel hears a particularly scandalous one, he dies of shock. Taking Agatha away from all the gossip, Sarah sails with her to Europe, where Agatha finally learns about her bloodline, and also discovers that she is the heiress to a fortune. Then, when she and Sarah return home, Agatha forgives all the people who believed the rumors, and marries the Reverend Ralph Harding, who was always certain of her innocence.

Adventuress Stefanie Paoli forsakes her lover, humble fisherman Gabriel Barrato, for the arms of a nobleman, the Marquis de Mohrivart. Upon learning that Stefanie has wed another, Gabriel kills himself and his brother Benedetto swears revenge. Stefanie goes to France with the Marquis where they run an exclusive gambling club. Years pass and they have a son, Charles, who is sent to England for his education. Charles, ignorant of his parent's method of living, marries Rose Verney, the daughter of an upper class British family. Meanwhile, Benedetto has acquired wealth and visits the Mohrivart tables in Paris. Although enthralled with Stefanie's beauty, he attacks the woman on whom he has sworn revenge. In attempting to save his wife, the Marquis is killed. Benedetto is sentenced to life in prison, and soon after, Stefanie, learning that her son is dying, visits his family in England. After Charles death, she refuses to leave, threatening to invoke an old French law which would declare her granddaughter's birth illegitimate unless the Verney family supports her. Stefanie is prevented from victimizing her son's family when Sir Horace Welby, a former lover, falsely informs her that Benedetto has been freed and is seeking her life. Terrified, Stefanie disappears and leaves the Verneys in peace.

After his son Chadwick returns home from college, factory owner Joshua Anson expects him to marry a woman of wealth. Much to his father's chagrin, Chadwick falls in love with factory girl Mary McClintock. Anson attempts to break up the romance by framing Mary in a compromising situation, but she outfoxes him and marries Chadwick. Not to be defeated, Anson offers his daughter-in-law $100,000 to divorce his son, but Mary outfoxes him once again by accepting the money, getting a divorce, and then remarrying Chadwick. Mary's last trick wins her father-in-law's respect and he finally offers the couple his blessings.

Evelyn Carmichael, a poor widow aware that she is about to die, writes to her wealthy father-in-law Lord Carmichael, who had disowned his son years earlier, pleading that he rescue his granddaughter Geraldine, known as Jerry, from a life in the slums. Lord Carmichael, an avowed woman-hater since his wife disappeared years earlier with his brother, expects Jerry to be a boy and is appalled to find otherwise. However, the lord is won over by Jerry's sweetness, and when Jim Dawson, a neighbor of Jerry's from the tenements, arrives at Carnimore Castle with his daughter Sophia, whom he is trying to pass off as Jerry, the lord exposes them as impostors and then expels them from his castle. Meanwhile, Jerry has also won over the hearts of the servants, whom she is drilling into a play army. One day, while on an excursion into an unused tower of the castle, they discover a locked room in which reside two skeletons. A note near one of the skeletons explains that Lord Carmichael's wife and his brother had been exploring the tower when the lock sprung and trapped them, causing their deaths. Lord Carmichael, realizing that his wife didn't betray him, has his faith in women restored and makes Jerry mistress of the castle.

A man discovers that he has two personalities--and one of them is a notorious strangler.

Young minister Brand Cameron meets stage star Adrienne Durant at her father's humble country home where she has gone to recover from the excitement of an attempted suicide by one of her admirers. Believing that Adrienne is an innocent country girl, Cameron falls in love with her until, in a fit of remorse, the actress tells him the truth and returns to her old life in New York. Cameron follows and, unable to give Adrienne up, is denounced by his parishioners and forced to resign. He takes his calling to a tough lumber camp while Adrienne accepts the charge of a school for poor children. At the camp, Faro Kate falsely accuses Cameron of fathering her child and the lumbermen, enraged, set fire to the church. When Cameron risks his life to save Kate's baby trapped in the burning building, however, Kate retracts her lie and the minister is finally accepted by the gruff inhabitants of the camp. Cameron's happiness is made complete when Adrienne comes to join him in his new ministry.

Bess Hulette is disappointed and feels ignored when her husband Aleck accepts a partnership in an ad agency owned by Stephen Graves. She tells her neighbor, Mrs. Leonard, about her predicament. One day a young woman, Dorothy Delamore, is injured in a car accident just outside the Hulettes' home. Bess meets Dorothy's brother, Jack, who is attracted to her. Noticing his attraction, Mrs. Leonard--who is cheating on her own husband--urges Bess to take up with Jack. Still feeling ignored by her husband, Bess accepts an invitation to a party at Jack's house, but finds out that things aren't exactly what they seem.

Mildred White becomes romantically involved with both Derwent Ainsworth and Dr. Mario Martinez while in Paris. She prefers Derwent, but when he leaves suddenly to see his dying father, Mario convinces Mildred that he has deserted her. When World War I begins, Derwent returns for Mildred, but upon learning that she is leaving Paris with Mario, he enlists in the army. Mildred discovers Mario's initial deception and joins the Red Cross to be near Derwent, who is blinded in battle and then tended to by Mildred. Unaware of the true identity of his nurse, Derwent falls in love with her, and the two are soon married. Mildred then prevails upon Mario to perform a special operation on Derwent's eyes. His vision restored, Derwent realizes that Mildred has returned to him, while Mario, after helping his former rival, dies in battle.

On the third floor of the apartment house at 003 Findlet Avenue lived Mr. and Mrs. Henry Tinkelpaw. The neighbors said it was a shame the way he neglected his poor wife, but Tillie's avoirdupois seemed to belie the rumor. Directly above lived the Pipkins. In this case, however, it was the young wife whose numerous clubs called her frequently from her fireside, affording gossip for the neighbors. However, unmindful of the discussion of their affairs, Tillie continued to cook dainty dishes for her unappreciative husband, while Luella Pipkin found fault with everything her meek husband did to please her. For several weeks it happened that Tinkelpaw and Luella would accidentally meet at the door, and naturally would walk down the street together. However, on one occasion where Mr. Tinkelpaw had been less appreciative than usual, and departed leaving Tillie in tears, she went to the window, hoping he might relent and throw her a kiss. At the same time Luella was out of sorts on account of having lost at bridge, and when she left, Pipkin also went to the window to see if she had really gone. What they saw affected them like a cold plunge. Both of them wrote to their faithless mates informing them that all was over; and on starting out into the world met in the hallway. Each recognized in the other a kindred soul; so linking arms, they set forth. On Luella's return she found the note, and frantically started in search of her husband. Tinkelpaw had also found a similar communication; so together they left in search of the truants. After following a devious trail they came upon them as they were attempting to use a photographer's automobile as an ocean liner. As the bedraggled Tillie is enfolded in her repentant husband's arms she winks slyly at Pipkin who is being fondled by a much chastened Luella.

Bradford Stewart, a young American surgeon studying in Germany, is dining in Cologne with a German friend, Ritter Bloem, a philosopher and a patriotic German. The latter is called away by German officers, and on his return announces to Stewart that war has been declared. After Bloem's departure, Trapadoux, chief of the French Secret Service maintained in Germany, who has been listening to their conversation, accosts Stewart, claiming to be one of the German police agents, inspects his passport, and learns to which hotel he will go in Aachen, which is his next destination. Frau Schanne, the proprietress of the Holmer Hof, secretly maintains French sympathies, but her servant, Hans, is a German spy. In Stewart's absence from his room, Trapadoux brings Frau Schanne a package, the contents of which he instructs her to place in Stewart's baggage to avert police suspicion during their later moves. Upon his return to his room Stewart finds in his luggage a lady's slippers, silk hose and dainty lingerie. The door of his room is opened and Little Comrade hurries in, embraces him fondly and calling him husband. Outside the door Hans listens, perplexed and a little suspicious, but had he not seen the lady's garments in Stewart's belongings? Perhaps, after all, she is his wife. After making sure of Hans' retirement, Little Comrade explains to Stewart that she is a French spy fleeing from Germany with secrets stolen from the German officers with whom she has been wont to flirt in Alsace-Lorraine; that even now they are on the watch for her and that if she is brought back, death will be the penalty. Stewart consents to help her, and watches while she forges an addition to his passport, adding to his own name and description, the description of herself as his wife traveling with him. Together they pass the gauntlet of police inspection and board the train for Brussels. At the frontier the train is held up and all passengers inspected. The police inspector stationed there holds Stewart and his "wife" for the coming of a German' officer from Metz to identify Little Comrade. One of the French spies on the frontier summons Trapadoux, who comes in the guise of the officer from Metz, and after inspecting Little Comrade, states that she is not the woman spy they feared. In the morning they arrive at the Belgium camp, where they are welcomed, but a few hours later the Belgians muster in battle against the German invaders. Little Comrade and Stewart are wounded, and while Stewart goes for a stretcher for her, she is captured by a genuine officer from Metz, who takes her to German headquarters and denounces her as a spy. Bloem, who is in command is unable to persuade her to confess. When Stewart discovers Little Comrade gone, weak from loss of blood, he becomes unconscious for several days. Upon regaining consciousness he learns that Little Comrade has been captured, so he concentrates his energies on delivering to General Joffre the papers she confided to his keeping. In gratitude, General Joffre bestows on Stewart the ribbon of the Legion of Honor, but overwhelmed by his loss and weak from this last effort, Stewart is borne away delirious. At the German headquarters, Bloem finding Little Comrade obdurate, is about to pass sentence upon her when she begs him to send her last words of love to Stewart. Finding that Stewart is her lover, Bloem, whose life was once saved by Stewart, refuses to condemn her, claiming that there is not sufficient evidence, and sends her back to "her American husband." There follows a joyous reunion in the hospital between Stewart and Little Comrade.

Although he is a successful architect, devoted family man Robert Crewe does not earn enough to cover the expenses of his wife Marion and daughter Emily. Unknown to him, his Uncle Abner wants to ruin him because Robert's father stole Abner's fiancée, who died in childbirth after their marriage. Abner hires a beautiful seductress to break up Robert's happy home, but she is unsuccessful. Abner, who dies prematurely, leaves Robert his fortune, hoping that it finally will lead to Robert's downfall. As Robert and Marion drift apart, Emily is left in the hands of an uncaring nurse and cries herself to sleep each night. Robert has an affair with a Broadway actress and Marion becomes romantically involved with a prominent sculptor. Robert squanders his inheritance and involves himself in highly speculative business investments until, threatened with Emily's death, he and Marion finally decide to change their lives and bring the family back together once again.

Juliette La Monde, the musical comedy star, admired by men, loves Morgan Grant, who has grown weary of married life. Grant demands a divorce from his wife, Martha, but her religion prevents her giving him his freedom. She leaves, promising he will never see her. Mrs. Nicholson, Juliette's mother, always dreams and prays for her. Robert, her husband, a stern Englishman, is not in sympathy with his wife where Juliette, his stepdaughter is concerned. Francine, his seven-year-old daughter, has no knowledge of her grown up sister. Mrs. Nicholson becomes ill. Dr. Stewart divines the reason for her sinking health. On the opening night of a new review, Dr. Stewart calls Juliette to be present at her mother's death. At her mother's home her cruel stepfather denies her right to be there. Francine has decked herself in the cloak left by Juliette. A week later he sails for England. Juliette recovers from a severe illness. Ten years pass. Juliette is constant to Grant. She expresses gratitude for having made her happy, but his ardor is beginning to cool. In England Francine attends a convent. Martha, a teacher in the convent, has never spoken of her sorrow. She becomes friendly with Francine. Juliette writes her stepfather asking him to send Francine to her so that she may make amends by her devotion. Amy Barker, an American girl, gives accounts of gay life that awaken in Francine a desire to "really live." Arriving at her father's home she finds him dead from a stroke of apoplexy brought on by his fury at Juliette's daring to write. Reading the letter, Francine realizes Juliette is her sister, and decides to go to her. Juliette makes radical changes in her mode of living. She sends Grant away. When Grant revolts she reminds him Francine is only a little girl. Amy Barker introduces Francine to the younger smart set as well as to the ritual of cocktail drinking. Juliette awaits Francine. She is happy in her ability to be kind to her. Dr. Stewart's son, Philip, who has won honors at West Point, becomes interested in Francine. Several months later Grant comes upon Francine. He introduces himself as an old friend of Juliette, and is surprised to find her a beautiful girl, instead of the noisy gawk he had expected. When Grant complains to Juliette of her changed behavior she tells him the responsibility of bringing up a little sister has changed her. When she intimates that she is looking forward to a match between Francine and Philip he calls Juliette a fool. She tells him marriage is the sweetest lot of a woman, for then she can have children. A few days later Juliette is shocked to find that Francine has been smoking, but Francine responds that Amy and all smart girls smoke and drink. Francine thinks herself far above the love of such men as Philip. Philip is heartbroken. Juliette comes upon Francine puffing at Grant's cigarette. After sending Francine to dress, Juliette embraces Grant, and is shocked to find that he is indifferent to her caress. Amy tells Francine about Juliette's past. Juliette sees Morgan kissing Francine. She intercepts a note from Morgan saying he expects Francine at his apartment at four. Francine tells Juliette she has no right to advise a young girl, in view of her own past. Grant dismisses his servants for the day. Juliette locks Francine in her room and goes to Grant's apartment. When Grant accuses her of jealousy she tells him love for him and duty to Francine prompted her action. Juliette is willing to let Grant marry Francine if he will secure a divorce, but he says a man of his type could never remarry. She wants him to write Francine that he will never see her again. When he refuses, she shoots him. Overcome by remorse she pleads for forgiveness. Realizing his love for Juliette, Grant writes a confession indicating that he is tired of living. Before he dies Grant asks Juliette's forgiveness. Juliette tells Francine of Grant's death, and though she seems overcome, sorrow leaves but a slight scar on her heart. She later accepts Philip. Somewhere in France is Juliette. As a Red Cross nurse she has occasion, at the sacrifice of her own life, to save Martha. Before she dies Juliette is forgiven by Martha.

Successful journalist Robert Barr, becomes engaged to Alice Thornton, but the woman's socially ambitious mother wishes her daughter to marry nobility and, to that end, secretly plots to ruin the romance. Learning that her husband fathered an illegitimate daughter, Mrs. Thornton asks Robert to assist the young woman, named Marcelle Pinet, in finding employment, and when Alice discovers the two together one evening, she suspects that Robert is unfaithful and breaks their engagement. Traveling in Europe with her mother, Alice meets and later marries Count Louis de Jouiville, but their happiness is threatened when Louis discovers his wife reading Robert's old love letters. On a World War I battlefield, Robert encounters the dying count and explains Mrs. Thornton's duplicity, and, following Louis' death, Robert and Alice finally marry.

The story of Nathan Hale, an American soldier and spy from his days as a teacher to his eventual capture and execution.

David Spencer falls in love with actress Babbie Norris, but his wealthy, propriety-conscious father John Spencer makes him marry aristocratic Janice Lane. After five years with Janice, David is so miserable that he goes to the river to drown himself. When he sees a corpse floating in the water, however, he decides instead to change clothes with it and leave his own identification cards on the dead man. Then, starting life over, David gets work as a laborer. He meets Babbie again, and soon moves to the Northwest with her. Meanwhile, after the dead man has been identified as David, Janice marries Dr. Stone, whom she has loved for several years.

Vivacious little Gilberte, known as Frou Frou, is the daughter of M. Brigard, a retired merchant, who has as his companion in a life of gaiety, Comte Paul de Valreas, a much younger man. Both the Count and Henry de Sartorys are in love with Frou Frou, and when De Sartorys asks for the hand of Frou Frou, M. Brigard refers him to Louise, the elder daughter, who is in charge of the household. To Louise, who loves de Sartorys, comes the first anguish of her life, when he confides his love for Frou Frou. However, she confers with her little sister who agrees to marry De Sartorys. Paul also asks for Frou Frou's hand, but Brigard refuses, stating he is too jolly a companion to be trusted as a son-in-law. Five years pass, and although Frou Frou adores her son Georgie, the calm role of a homemaker does not suit her, and on one of Louise's visits she realizes her own place has been usurped, as both De Sartorys and Georgie go to her for advice. Paul still loves Frou Frou, but she fights against her growing attraction for him, and begs him to go away. Finding she is no longer necessary for the happiness of her husband and son, after a furious tirade against Louise, she leaves and joins Paul in Venice. Paul's mother receives her, and the next day, De Sartorys, who has followed, finds her, and despite her pleas, fights a duel with Paul, in which Paul is killed. Out of the loneliness and sorrow of the ensuing months her soul is chastened, and she returns to ask her husband one last favor, that she be allowed to die in the house she entered as a bride. Although Louise also pleads for her he at first refuses; but when Frou Frou, formerly so light-hearted and care-free, pleads on her knees, he can no longer deny her, and the two meet in a tearful embrace. Her life closes with a semblance of happiness, as she gives to Louise the two that are closest to her, her husband and son.

Marion Livingston, daughter of the boss of the Elsinore coal mines, rescues a young superintendent of the mines, from a mob of miners. Jack's brother, Harold, comes to visit him and falls in love with Marion.

After graduating from finishing school, Claire Wilson falls into the hands of wealthy rake Mason Forbes. After installing her as his mistress, Mason abandons Claire to marry socialite Grace Hughes. Out of revenge, Grace marries Harold, Mason's younger brother and the two couples live together under one roof. Mason tires of his wife and begs Claire to leave her husband, but she is pregnant and refuses. An indifferent mother, Claire leaves her child with a nurse while she spends her time with Mason in cabarets. When Claire and Harold are reconciled after the near fatal illness of their child, Mason, furious, divulges Claire's sordid past to his brother. Although overwhelmed by the revelation, Harold forgives Claire and Mason, rejected, turns to alcohol.