Robert Hart meets Rose Hunter, a well-known singer; they are mutually attracted and marry. Only a few months elapse and Robert's wife shows her true colors. She is extravagant, fast and has an uncontrollable temper. They quarrel; she strikes him. Finally she leaves him and goes away with a former friend named Allan. Robert secures a divorce and decides to enter the ministry. Five years later he accepts a call to a small southern town. He bends all his energies to making his people happy and becomes greatly beloved with one exception, his old maid housekeeper, who considered the minister had not been attentive enough to her and had slighted her for Lucy Norton. Hart finds he is falling in love with Lucy and realizes that she returns his love. The affair is brought to a climax at the May Day Festival, where Lucy and Hart stroll off together and finally go boating. Lucy reaches for a water lily and falls into the water. Hart rescues her and takes her home. The next night after choir practice he declares his love and is overheard by Miss Priscilla. The next day in dusting the minister's desk she finds an old photo of Rose inscribed, "From your loving wife, Rose." That same afternoon she sees a picture in the New York paper advertising the appearance in vaudeville of "Rose Hunter." She compares it with the other and decides it is her duty to send word to Rose telling her of Hart's whereabouts. She writes, and Rose makes up her mind to come on and get money from Hart. On Rose's arrival at the station she is met by the son of the landlord of the only hotel. She sends the young chap with a note to the minister, bidding him come to her that night. Hart, amazed and troubled, decides to go. On his arrival, the boy shows him to Rose's room and, full of wonderment as to what "the beautiful lady" can want with the minister, he watches them through the keyhole. Rose greets Hart pleasantly and tries to make love to him. She then threatens to let out their past if he does not pay her to keep quiet. He gives her a check. She, enraged because the sum is not larger, demands more. He steps toward her and she draws back and falls through the old-fashioned window. When Hart reaches the yard he finds Rose dead. She is surrounded by a crowd who, having seen the minister enter the hotel, accuse him of her murder. The boy appears and clears the minister of the blame. The next day the trustees call on Hart to demand his resignation. Priscilla admits them and hastens away to tell Lucy of the minister's downfall. Lucy immediately hastens to Hart, declares her love and faith in him. The trustees are touched, tear up Hart's resignation and forgive him, with Lucy to face a life of happiness.
