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In honor bound, Stephen Fiske, Jr., son of a supposed millionaire, tells Doris Myhtle, his fiancée, that the death of his father has revealed that he has died penniless and left him a poor man. She is so disappointed she returns her engagement ring to him, which he throws into the fire. He is obliged to go to work as an ordinary laborer. She tells her Aunt Patience, with whom she lives, and the old lady confides the romance of her life to her. She was engaged to Stephen's father. She rejected him and it was the regret of her life, and almost broke her heart when he married another woman. One evening, Aunt Patience, after a day's shopping, entering her home, slips, injuring herself, and Stephen, returning from his day's work, finds her on the area step, and carries her into the house. He calls a doctor, who pronounces her injuries fatal. The old lady recognizes Stephen, of whom she is very fond, and who closely resembles his father. She expresses a hope that he and Doris will be wedded to each other, and again repeats the romance of her life. As she does so, visions of the happy retrospect appear before her and she passes away in thoughts of that past happiness, and a full realization of the joys that await her in the life beyond. Grieving at the loss of their good friend, Doris and Stephen, kneeling at her bedside, touch hands, and looking into each other's eyes, they ask each other if they will fulfill Aunt Patience's hope. The mutual fervor with which they silently embrace each other is their answer.

Decorated by the Legion of Honor for his services in the Imperial Guard, under the Emperor Napoleon, on the burning sands of Africa and the snows of Russia. Havresac, one of the Old Guard, in his second childhood, lives on the memories of his past. His niece, Melanie, works as a maker of artificial flowers and manages to keep a meager home over their heads. Two French officers, Colonel Weston and Colonel Millard, learning of their poverty and the past history of the old soldier, call at their home and provide for their needs. Colonel Weston falls in love with Melanie and asks her uncle's consent to their marriage. At first Havresac refuses, but later, he places Weston's hand in hers and gives them his blessing. Just after this has occurred, the old man hears the playing of the band of a passing regiment, and looking from the window. Insists upon taking his musket and joining the march. He is restrained by the Colonel and Melanie from leaving the room, but to satisfy the spark of his old-time valor, they allow him to stand in front of the window with his musket at "shoulder-arms." He becomes so inspired it is too much for his waning strength and he falls into his old arm-chair and passes through the last great battle of life into the presence of the Great Commander of those who have fought the fight and passed into the great beyond.

The cartoonist, Winsor McCay, brings the Dinosaurs back to life in the figure of his latest creation, Gertie the Dinosaur.

Jimmie Page and Ed Armstrong are bunkies in Company E, stationed near the Nueces River, Texas. Deep, abiding friendship such as only men know, exists between the two, which is strengthened, when, on a fishing trip, Ed rescues his friend from drowning. Page is very grateful and tells Ed whenever he can serve him not to fail to call on him. Twenty years later, Armstrong, now a widower, living in Arizona, is told he has but a few months to live. He accordingly sends a note to his old friend Jimmie Page, entrusting his daughter, Anita to his care. Page is not overjoyed as he believes the girl to be a mere child, but for old times' sake, accepts the guardianship. Shortly afterwards, he visits New York. There, by a strange turn of fate, he saves Anita, a beautiful 10-year-old girl, from a couple of thugs, but does not learn her identity, He finds a handbag she dropped, containing only her photograph, and falls in love with the picture but can find no trace of its owner. Anita's father dies and she is sent to her guardian, Captain Page. When she arrives, the Captain is out, bemoaning the fate that saddled him with a ward and no mother to care for it. Mac, the Captain's aide, recognizes the girl from seeing her photo in his possession, and arranges a little surprise. Page returns to find the girl playing the piano. Needless to say, his joy knows no bounds on learning the girl of the photo and his ward are one and the same. She soon becomes his wife, and at the wedding feast, Page offers a stirring toast to his old friend and bunkie, Ed Armstrong.

Perdita, a pretty chorus girl, is sought in marriage by Juan Mora, a violinist, and by Henri Ducharme, director of the Neapolitan Opera House. Perdita accepts Juan. Juan's income is not sufficient to gratify her love of extravagance and when Ducharme returns to her life with declarations of love and flattering promises of a great career, she agrees to forsake her husband and her child, Lola. On the night of the expected flight Ducharme calls for her, but in anger, she sends him away. The temptation to be a factor in the operatic world is too strong, however, and she later decides to return to the stage. Leaving a note for Juan, stating that Ducharme had convinced her she is sacrificing a brilliant career, she acquaints the director of her decision to accept his advice and would like to see him at once. After receiving Perdita's note, Juan seeks Ducharme, a bitter quarrel ensues and the violinist is discharged from his position in the orchestra. He writes a beautiful opera with Perdita as the central character, which he names "Mi Perdita." Meanwhile Perdita begins rehearsals under Ducharme's direction and makes wonderful progress. Ducharme plots successfully to become possessed of Juan's opera. He then flatters Perdita by telling her he is writing an opera for her. Discovering the loss of his work, Juan becomes seriously ill and, being destitute, finds lodgings in a miserable garret with Lola, his daughter, as his only companion. After a long illness, Juan wanders into the street penniless and hungry. He is caught in the act of stealing a loaf of bread. His simple story of misfortune not only effects his pardon, but secures for him a position as waiter in the place. In the meantime, Ducharme has produced Juan's opera under his own name and Perdita scored a tremendous success as the prima donna. One night, the orchestra in the place where Juan is employed as waiter plays the overture from "Mi Perdita." He drops his tray in amazement and staggers to the leader's box, where he sees the printed score with Ducharme's name as composer. He is informed the opera is being played at the Neapolitan Opera House. Tottering homeward for Lola, the two are soon seated in the front row of the "pit." His overture, his opera, and Perdita. The limit of his endurance is reached and, staggering forth, he cries out to Perdita and falls to the floor. The opera is interrupted by the confusion and Perdita, regardless of all else, rushes from the stage to take Juan and Lola in her arms. While nursing her husband back to health in his garret, she learns that he is the composer of "Mi Perdita." She is seized with a strong desire to expose and punish Ducharme, and acquaints the Board of Directors of the opera company of his duplicity. At a meeting of the directors, she succeeds in proving Juan the rightful composer of the opera and brands Ducharme as a thief. Juan is appointed to succeed Ducharme, who is dismissed in disgrace, and Perdita. under the able direction of her husband, continues her brilliant career.

Meeting in a most peculiar manner, and under the strangest circumstances, a beautiful young girl, Tryon Dunham offers his assistance on learning she has no money or friends in the city. She will not tell her name, but seeing she is evidently a girl of refinement, he respects her wishes and asks no questions. He borrows his sister's hat and a coat from his mother and brings them to the girl, then buys her a ticket to Chicago. He rides on one station with her, and her last words are, "Call me Mary." Tyron gets into serious difficulties over the purloined clothing, from which he has difficulty in extricating himself. Judge Blackwell, Tryon's senior partner, sends Tryon to Chicago on business, and the young man is highly pleased, as he hopes to find the girl there. On his arrival in the Windy City, he employs a detective, but without result. Then, by chance, he locates the girl in the home of a friend, where she is employed as parlor maid. He proposes marriage and is accepted, then she tells him her story. It seems that her cousin Richard, coveting the fortune left her had everything prepared for railroading her to an insane asylum, then he, posing as her husband, was to "manage" her fortune. On the train she had overheard the plot, escaped and met Tryon. She had feared to tell anyone her story lest they think her really insane. Tryon and Mary are married, but the cousin butts in again and abducts her. A daring leap enables Tryon and the detectives to catch the Washington express, and after a sensational arrest of the girl's captors, Tryon and Mary speed on to happiness.

On entering their home after the marriage ceremony, John Granger immediately becomes aware of the intense dislike his bride, Enid, has for him. Hurt and angry, he announces they shall be husband and wife in name only, then both bitterly reflect on the rash act which had united them for better or worse. Her love of bridge whist had plunged her into debt and Granger had helped her out. Unable to pay him back, he had suggested they cut cards to decide if he will cancel the debts or she marry him. She had lost, and their wedding was the result. Weeks later Enid has learned to love her husband, but conceals her affection. Granger sees Gerald, an old friend of Enid's, making love to her. He challenges the young man to a pistol duel, and despairing of winning Enid's love, quietly extracts the cartridges from his weapon. Enid sees this and rushes between the men, exclaiming: "It is you I love, John." And all ends happily.

A young woman discovers a seed that can make women act like men and men act like women. She decides to take one, then slips one to her maid and another to her fiancé. The fun begins.

Brought up in the woods from a baby, and never having seen another human being but his father, whose wife had left him, Karl Holden is indeed a "natural man." He loves nature, and is possessed of a splendid physique. So much for the Man. The Maid in the story, Rose, is a wealthy heiress tired of society's hypocrisy and shallowness. With perhaps the hope of meeting a real man, she visits her uncle in the West. On one of her daily rambles, she is discovered by Karl. Greatly frightened, she runs, but the chase is short, and picking her up bodily he carries her to his home. There he eagerly tells his astonished father that he has found a mate, and perhaps, if he looks, he might find one out in the woods. Rose, finding that Karl possesses a natural delicacy despite his cave-man methods of winning a mate, becomes greatly interested in him. She stays with the Holdens overnight, and the next morning her uncle and a party of searchers burst in on them. Karl, not understanding, wants to right, but Holden prevents hostilities by introducing himself and explaining matters. Karl sees his mate being led away by her anxious uncle and Mr. Holden has his hands full preventing the boy from following. A few days later Karl suddenly appears at her townhouse, clad in an ancient suit of clothes. Rose's uncle has taken a liking to Karl and invites him to stay a few days. For a while he proves a white elephant, but after some humiliating, and for him heartbreaking, experiences, Rose is awakened to the fact that he is indeed her real mate, and she accepts him as her affianced husband.

While on a hunting trip, Ruth Harris and her father stop overnight at Scroogles' Inn, a dreary place kept by an evil, grasping old couple who have a poor little drudge of a girl who lives in her own imaginary land and thinks that Ruth is a beautiful fairy princess. That night the Scroogles creep into her father's room, rob him, and thinking him dead, throw the body over a cliff. They remove everything from the room and in the morning when Ruth inquires for her father, they tell her she is crazy, she came alone to the Inn. Bewildered, she doesn't know what to do until she thinks of Richard Foster, a young artist she had met earlier in the day. She tells him, and with his help, they find a cap belonging to her father, and accuse the Scroogles of foul play. Rendered desperate, the old couple attempt a dash for freedom, but in the ensuing fight, Scroogles accidentally shoots and kills his wife and escapes into the woods. After a running fight he is shot. He dies as a result of the wound and Ruth and Foster, now engaged, search for her father. They find him wandering dazedly about the mountains, but after careful nursing he fully recovers from his terrible experience, and Mr. Harris takes the little drudge into his home and adopts her. But the memory of that "empty room" in the old Inn is indelibly impressed upon Ruth's memory, and many times she gives thanks for the narrow escape they all had.

"Lend me your ears whilst I unfold to thee a legend more fascinating and thrilling than the wonder tales of history or the fairy tales of fiction." This invitation was accepted by a young Indian lad, as the old Chief told him about the "Black Chasm." Here is the story: Yellow Eagle, a young Indian prince, is in love with Dark Feather, an Indian princess. Being of different tribes, hostile to each other. Dark Feather's father opposes her betrothal and according to the custom of the Indians of that period, he plights her to one of his own people. Unknown to the others, Dark Feather meets Yellow Eagle and they declare again and again their undying love. Spotted Tail, to whom her father has promised Dark Feather in marriage, spies upon the lovers and when he meets Dark Feather warns her to keep away from Yellow Eagle. She proudly denies his right to command her and tells him that she loves Yellow Eagle and him alone. In a moment of anger Spotted Tail strikes her, instantly killing her. To hide his crime, he puts her body in a canoe, and sets it adrift in the rapids and disappears. Yellow Eagle, sitting on the bank of the river, sees the canoe with its precious burden floating by. He follows it for a time with his eyes, and then, as if in a dream, he is drawn into the waters of the stream deeper and deeper, reaching out to check the drifting canoe until the waters of the river close over him and they become black as the raven's wing, giving to them the name of the "Black Chasm."

Peter Blood, a young Irish physician, treats a rebel soldier wounded in battle, and he is arrested, tried for treason and sent into slavery to Barbados. He and his friend Jeremy are bought by the vicious Col. Bishop, who purchases them for his niece Arabella. Blood rallies the other slaves to rebel against their slavery; they escape and take over a Spanish galleon. Blood and his crew become pirates and the scourge of the Caribbean. England, at war with France and losing, offers him a commission in the Royal Navy if he will fight for them. Blood, who has no love for the French but even less for the English, has to decide whether it's better for he and his men to fight with the English or against them.

On a dark and stormy night, a traveler takes a room at a spooky hotel in the forest. As soon as the proprietor leaves, the room comes alive with ghosts and poltergeists who torment the man as he tries to unpack, eat, and go to sleep.

The uncle of John Davis, killed on the mountains, leaves a will directing that Davis and his cousin, Hawke Morgan, shall be joint guardians of his adopted daughter, Ethel, and receive each a share in a valuable gold mine, the location of which is indicated on a map left, with the will, a certain proportion going to various charities. Hawke Morgan comes out West, and determines to get rid of Davis, and so acquire not only the entire fortune but also the girl who is in love with Davis. He at once sets out to accomplish the murder of Davis, and every stage of the story is packed with exciting adventure, the hero and heroine going through amazing adventures before their final happiness is secured.

All the joy is taken out of her birthday despite her beautiful presents when Tommy (as she is called) discovers that she must eat her birthday dinner alone: her father must keep a business appointment, her mother simply can't neglect a society reception, and her sister Edith is planning to elope with Walter Pierrepoint, a society profligate of whose real character she is unaware. Poor lonesome Tommy is about to sit down and eat, with the butler for company, when a messenger boy arrives with a note for Edith. It is from Pierrepont, postponing the hour of rendezvous. Tommy takes pity on the boy's hungry appearance and invites him to her party. "Mother Mary," a poor old lady, comes to beg at the back door and Tommy insists that she too come in. They have no sooner started than Bill, a burglar, comes to rob the house; Tommy discovers him and, though frightened at first, politely invites him in also. Touched by her childish faith, the crook awkwardly follows her to the dining room, where the butler seats them all. While this is going on Edith, tired of waiting for Pierrepont, returns home. Mr. Moreland finds himself involved in a crooked business deal and phones his wife to meet him at the house at once. Their arrival, together with Edith's, breaks up Tommy's party, and dismayed, she quickly hides her unusual guests. They are discovered as the business promoter arrives and demands money. The burglar recognizes the fellow as his escaped cellmate, and he goes out like a whipped cur. Pierrepont arrives and Tommy exposes the rascal's villainy. He leaves the house forever and the Moreland family, happily reunited, tenderly watch Tommy blowing out the candles on her birthday cake.

Daring theft of priceless necklace executed in broad daylight, in prominent jeweler's office. Dwight Orme, a clever crook, determines to gain possession of a very valuable pearl necklace worn by Mrs. Heldmayer, a wealthy jeweler's wife, and secures an interview with "The Great Yaldo," an actor and impersonator., After "sounding" his man, Orme offers the actor $5,000 for one performance. Valdo's cupidity aroused, he consents to aid the crook. Orme calls on the jeweler at his office, renders him unconscious with the aid of a poisoned needle, then Valdo enters and quickly makes up to closely resemble the jeweler. The rest is easy. Jack Cheney, detective, is called into the case and after careful research, locates his men. He makes up as Heldmayer, then by the use of electrical effects, so frightens Valdo that he breaks down and confesses, implicating Orme. The pair are soon doing a "Double" at Sing Sing, on long-time engagement.

Wall Street financier John Morrison is in the habit of bringing home to his wife daily a bunch of beautiful roses. Delevan, a recognized Money King, meets Helen, the financier's daughter, upon whom he immediately exerts a hypnotic influence, and she becomes infatuated with him. Payne Morrison, Helen's brother, recognizes Delevan as the man who forcibly took the last life-preserver from a woman in a shipwreck, and warns her against the man. She ignores the warning and Delevan secures her promise to elope with him. The sudden illness and death of her mother prevents this. The shock of Mrs. Morrison's death deranges John Morrison's mind, and the business is carried on by Payne. Delevan again tries to get Helen to elope, but at the critical moment her mother's face appears to her in a vision and she refuses. The rascal then schemes to ruin the Morrisons through their holdings in railroad stocks. He discovers they hold a thousand shares less than his company in a certain stock and plans to have himself elected president of the road. Delevan's stenographer, whom he professed to love, prior to his attachment for Helen Morrison, hears of his engagement, and in revenge, informs Payne of the scheme to ruin him. Remembering that his father had once presented Mrs. Morrison with a block of that particular stock, Payne realizes if he can locate them, it will throw the balance of power into his hands. He seeks his father about them, but John Morrison remembers nothing of it. In despair, Payne is about to give up when the spirit of his mother appears and points straight at the family Bible. Between its leaves are found the five thousand shares and the excitement of it all clears John Morrison's mind. At the directors' meeting, the Morrisons vote in the extra shares, completely defeating Delevan, and John Morrison, now himself again, is asked to take the president's chair, while a beautiful vision of Mother appears and smiles upon them.

Madeline Jekyll meets Baron Stana, a distinguished looking man, and finds her father has promised her in marriage to Daggerts, a politician, who, in reward, has agreed to see that Jekyll is elected governor. Madeline is already in love with Robert Mayhew, and rebels at the prearranged marriage. Later Madeline overhears Baron Stana and Daggerts threatening to expose Jekyll because he has forged Daggerts' name to a note, unless he gives his daughter's hand to Daggerts. To save her father she stops Daggerts with the demand, "What is your price?" He replies, "You," and she agrees to marry him in return for which he hands over to her the incriminating note. When Jekyll learns of his daughter's sacrifice he is almost crazed with grief, and that night dies of a broken heart. Madeline, in her boudoir, dreams that Stana appears before her. He tells her that Daggerts loves her for her purity and innocence and to escape him, she must become the antithesis of this: hard, sophisticated and reckless. Stana then takes her to a luxurious dance saloon. Horace, a young gentleman of leisure, falls in love with her, but meets only ruin and death, while she and Stana continue on their way until, finally, Madeline sees herself old, dissipated and forlorn. Then Stana taunts her and she kills him. Awakening from her dream Madeline learns of her father's death. Daggerts and Stana quarrel and the former is frightened to discover that bullets have no effect on the Baron, who, with a sardonic laugh says, "I am Satan, and you are mine." Daggerts drops dead from heart failure, leaving Madeline and Mayhew to their complete love and happiness.

Business had been bad with "The Winsome Widow" musical comedy company and press agent Cutey was worrying how to keep the ghost walking when he read in the daily paper of the coming to New York of Miss Cissy FitzGerald, a musical-comedy star with a famous wink. He contrived to meet Cissy before she landed and persuaded her to join the company and changed the name to "The Win(k)some Widow" musical comedy company. Things are now considerable brighter, but Cissy's world-famous wink plays havoc not only with the public but with members of the company, including Cutey, her manager Hughie, and her orchestra leader Tosco, to say nothing of millionaire Gotrocks and wealthy clubman Jack. The show started on a prosperous run. Cissy tires of hotel life and rents a house. She invites her admirers for a house warming and they arrive, each bringing some animal as a pet, including a tame bear and a monkey; and each proposing with a ring. The next day she receives a 'phone call from her five admirers and suggests a quiet little supper after the show. Her husband arrives before she can warn her expected guests, compelling her to hide them. As they try to make their escape, their sudden appearances keep Cissy's heart on the jump, until Gotrocks, hiding in the fireplace, gets an idea from the soot on his face, sneaks a lambrequin from the mantel, wraps it around his head and is presented to Cissy's husband as her Hindoo servant. The other four get an idea from Gotrock's costume and appear in turn. Hughie as "her aunt from the country," Tosca as a chef, Jack as a maid of all work and Cutey, who is hiding in the piano, as a piano tuner. Tosca, as the chef, is ordered to cook a special dish for the husband. His efforts to make good causes the stove to pour forth a dense volume of smoke. Neighbors, thinking there is a fire, call the fire department who flood the house with water, giving Cissy's admirers opportunity to escape. Husband and wife are now left alone with the exception of the various pets, who are peacefully floating about with the real maid.

Worn out from overwork, Governor Grant decides to take a vacation. Bidding farewell to his pretty young wife Madge, he tells his Private Secretary to look after things, and starts incognito for the mountains. Becoming bored with hunting, etc., he amuses himself by flirting with his guide Jake's wife, arousing his jealousy. The mountaineer sees his wife in a man's embrace, and shoots him, thinking it is Grant. To his horror he finds that he has killed his father-in-law, who had arrived for a visit during his absence, the Governor having returned to the city the day before. Jake gives himself up to the authorities. Fortunately the father-in-law recovers. Meanwhile, the Governor plunges into work and becomes so completely absorbed in it he neglects his wife, who has found in the Secretary a sympathetic confidante. The Governor discovers her sobbing on the young man's shoulder, and, despite her tearful pleadings, orders her from his home and discharges the Secretary, Jake's wife decides to go see her husband in jail, and the warden is so touched by their meeting that he suggests she visit the Governor about a pardon. She goes, and mutual recognition follows. Pointing accusingly at the Governor, she denounces him for breaking up her home and being indirectly the cause of Jack's incarceration. She then tells her story and he begins to realize he is to blame for it all. Another thought occurs to him, "Who am I that I should cast the first stone at my wife." He accordingly writes out a pardon for Jake at once, gives it to the grateful little woman, then starts out to find Madge. When he finds her, each begs forgiveness of the other. After a thorough understanding of their mistakes, they agree to let the past bury itself and forget it all in the happiness of the future.

Living quietly with his sister, Cynthy, in a small country town, Hiram Harrison, known as "Old Good-for-Nuthin'," is the best friend the boys in town have. He is continually being scolded by Cynthy for bringing home stray dogs, which she invariably puts outdoors, then as invariably quietly throws them a bone. One day Hiram finds Freckles, whose mother had died, is about to be sent to the poorhouse, and his sympathetic heart rebels at the thought. Although his own little farm is mortgaged to the limit, Hiram brings the boy home with him. Cynthy objects, but finally adopts the little fellow and he more than repays them for their kindly care. Cynthy's old sweetheart returns one day, and finally prevails upon her to forget and forgive, while the financial comforts of all concerned is assured by his presence. Freckles, peeking in the window, whispers to Hiram that Cynthy's "feller kissed her."

Worth Stuyvesant, a wealthy widow's only son, receives an appointment to West Point, His mother objects to his becoming a soldier, as does his sweetheart Mary Putman, but he is stubborn and enters the Academy. Mary attends many of the "hops" and attracts the attention of Cadet David Hanks, who falls in love with her, but she still favors Worth. Hanks insults his successful rival and they have a fist fight, in which Worth comes out victorious Completing the course at the Academy, he is assigned to the 39th Infantry at Fort Clark, Texas with a rank of lieutenant. Before he leaves for duty he importunes Mary to marry him, but she refuses under a year. After joining his regiment at Fort Clark, his mother and sweetheart bombard him with letters asking him to resign, but he refuses. Mary finally writes that he will either have to give up the service or her. Worth's pride is hurt and he commences to drink. His conduct is reported to his commanding officer, who sends him to Del Rio, a sub-post, for 60 days' tour of duty. Life at Del Rio is dull and in looking for amusement, Worth wanders into a dance hall, where he meets Lola Montez, an adventuress. He becomes a frequent visitor to the dance hall, always being seen in the company of Lola. One day she plies him with drinks and when he is in a dazed condition, she enlists the assistance of two of her cronies and marries her soldier lover. When Worth finally realizes his position, he determines to make the best of it and fits up a home for his wife, who renounces her old life and becomes a model helpmate. The state of affairs is reported to headquarters at Fort Clark and at a meeting of offers, it is decided to send Worth to Coventry and keep him at Del Rio so long as he remains in Texas. Six years elapse, during which time a daughter is born, whom they name Helen. During his assignment at Del Rio, Worth has had no social intercourse with the rest of the regiment, but the entire command being ordered to Fort Blake, Michigan, and Worth coming in direct personal contact with his fellow-officers, the full force of the ban of Coventry is made apparent. The ostracism even includes the children and little Helen, too young to understand, is heartbroken. The situation becomes extreme and Hanks, who was also assigned to the 39th and who became a warm personal friend of Worth's, tries to have the ban raised, but it voted down. The worry affects Lola, and she is taken sick and dies. Worth takes Helen to his mother, who consents to receive her, and the child becomes a great favorite, not only with Mrs. Stuyvesant, but with Mary Putnam. Worth is ordered to the Philippines and in a fight with the Filipinos is mortally wounded, his last words being, "Tell mother and Mary I have at last lifted the ban of Coventry."

Part One. To start a little in advance of our story, Lord Rintoul, of the English nobility, finds a little Gypsy girl three years old, who had been deserted by her parents. Fifteen years later, Gavin Dishart, the Little Minister, receives an appointment, his first, at Thrums, Scotland. This was made possible through the self-sacrifices of his widowed mother, to educate him for the ministry. The community of Thrums is made up of weavers, who work hard, have little and accomplish much. They are ultra-religious and look upon their pastor with such reverence that he is a little lower than the angels. While naturally intelligent, they are grounded in dogma and intolerance. Just after the Little Minister takes charge of the "Auld Licht Kirk" and the Manse, the weavers resent a reduction, by the manufacturers, in their pay and a strike is declared. To protect themselves against the inevitable and unexpected arrival of the police and soldiers, they have sentinels stationed at the four approaches to the town. Lord Rintoul has established a large country residence at Thruns. He holds himself aloof from the townspeople and he is looked upon as a great and mighty peer. The soldiers, whenever they come to Thrums on their incursions of suppression, always stop at his dwelling to consult him or pay their respects. They do not make this particular visit an exception and do not fail to acquaint him with their plans. The rioters are all gathered together in the square and the Little Minister implores them to disperse and peaceably go to their homes. While he is addressing them, a Gypsy girl mounts the steps from which he is speaking and cries out to the people to stand firm in declaring their rights, "The soldiers are on their way even now to arrest you." The Little Minister is appalled at her temerity and he denounces her as a shameless woman. This is the introduction of "The Little Minister" to "Babbie," although he had seen her in the wood, when she appeared as a nymph-like vision of loveliness. Then the soldiers sweep into the square and drive the people before them as they scatter to the woods. Sanders Webster, the only support of Nannie, his sister, is arrested as a leader in the strike and Nannie is left alone in poverty. Captain Nalliwell, in charge of the soldiers, orders the Gypsy girl's arrest for inciting riot. The Little Minister, notwithstanding his denunciations, loves Babbie, despite himself, and to save her from arrest, he passes her through the outposts as his wife. He offers to escort her to her home, although she has always declared her home was the wood. She insists upon seeing him home, and when they arrive there, he bids her good-bye and enters the Manse. She seats herself on a settee in his garden and discovers lying on it, his Bible. She picks it up and writes across one of its pages, "I will never tell that you allowed me to he called Mrs. Dishart before witnesses, but is this not a Scotch Marriage? Babbie." Part Two. The Little Minister proves himself to be a power in Thrums and he is beloved by the people. Through his preaching, Rob Dow, the village drunkard, takes the pledge and joins the church. Babbie, who is known as the Gypsy, in Thrums, is known as "Lady Babbie" in the home of Lord Rintoul, by whom she has been educated as a lady, befitting one whom he intends to make his wife. He sets the day and announces it with a great reception; "Tomorrow, he is to wed his ward, Lady Babbie," Doctor McQueen calls at the Manse and tells the Little Minister that he is coming to take Nannie Webster to the poorhouse and asks him to accompany him in his sad errand. Gavin goes to Nannie's hut and as gently as possible, tells her they have come to take her away. The poor woman sees no alternative, but she hesitates and lingers in the home, which, however humble, is the dearest place on earth to her. At this moment, Babbie, the Gypsy girl, appears. She is indignant that Gavin and the Doctor should he engaged in such an errand. She provides Nannie with money and tells her that she shall stay, and she agrees to furnish through the Little Minister, a sufficient sum each week to keep her in comfort until her brother is released. They cannot credit such a proposition, but she arranges to meet Gavin in Caddam Wood the next day where she will deliver into his hands the first five pounds of Nannie's support. Regardless of the warnings of others, and the belief that the Gypsy has bewitched him, Gavin keeps his appointment and finds her awaiting him, perched in a tree. The astonished minister almost believes she has been making game of him in her promised provision for Nannie, but she soon convinces him to the contrary, when she places the money in his hand. Part Three. The next day is Lord Rintoul's wedding day, and there is great preparation at the Hall. "Babbie" has purposely kept out of Gavin's way that he might not suffer on her account. They unexpectedly meet and he tells her that he will meet her at Nannie's that day. She implores him not to come, but he says, "I will he there." The farmers of Thrums suffer greatly from the prevailing drought. The elders of the Kirk call a prayer meeting for that night to pray for rain. The church is full to overflowing, but the Little Minister does not appear. He is at Nannie's with "Babbie." She pleads with him to give up his love for her, as she is unworthy of it and then she tells him what she has never told him before; that she is the ward of Lord Rintoul and must marry him that night. She also tells him how she overheard the soldiers' plans and warned the strikers. She hides nothing from him. Gavin asks her to go to Lord Rintoul and tell him that she does not love him, make an honest confession and throw herself upon his better judgment. She replies that Rintoul would not listen to her and if she returns to the Hall, Gavin will never see her again. Remembering that the Gypsies are at camp in the woods, Gavin proposes that they he married according to Gypsy rites. They go to the camp and are married over the fire-irons, which is the marriage custom of the Gypsy race. They are watched by members of the Kirk and Lord Rintoul. The marriage has scarcely been performed when the lightning flashes and the thunder roars, the heavens are darkened and all is blackness. When again the lightning flashes upon the scene, Babbie has disappeared and Gavin at once decides that she has been kidnapped. This was a correct conclusion, for indeed she had been kidnapped by Rob Dow, who could never forgive her for having brought reproach upon the Little Minister. Gavin plunges into the wood to search for her and the rain descends, and the floods cover the earth. He wanders on and on, until he drops helpless, where he is found. At break of day, having recovered his senses, he insists upon going to Lord Rintoul's home for he feels sure that Babbie is there. He is advised not to venture out in the floods. He will not listen. As he reaches the cliff overlooking the river, which is running torrents, he meets a shepherd, who, in distress, cries that a man is caught in the torrent below. He has sent a messenger to the town to get help. Gavin discerns through the mist that the man is Lord Rintoul. He plunges down the cliff, into the water and to his rescue. Instead of one, two are now in danger, as they stand on the small piece of earth between them and death. The villagers have come; all hope has deserted them, when Rob Dow rushes down the cliff with a rope in his hand, swims through the whirlpool and passes the rope to Gavin, then sinks and is swept away. Willing hands, who have held tight to one end of the rope, pull hard and Gavin ties his end around himself and the helpless lord and they are drawn to the shore in safety. With cheers and happy hearts, the villagers proudly escort the Little Minister to the Manse, where he finds Babbie, with his mother, awaiting him. Lord Rintoul, whom Babbie did not marry, relinquishes all claim to her and she and the Little Minister shortly afterwards, have a real "Auld Licht Kirk" wedding, making them man and wife until death do them part. Needless to say, that Lady Babbie, as mistress of the Manse, proves herself a true and godly minister's wife.

Hysterical with grief at her husband's intrigue with Ann Bogart, an opera singer and neighbor, Marion Stuart attempts to drown herself, but is rescued by Tim and Mary Bates, the aged caretakers of the Bogart estate. They take her to their cabin nearby and an hour later Marion dies giving birth to a daughter. On learning this, Ann forces the old couple to keep the birth a secret so that she and her son Reginald (Ann is a widow) can eventually inherit Graham Stuart's fortune. Marion's body is found and buried and Graham becomes a recluse, but after a short time a letter from Ann reaches him. The slender cord of resolve is broken and he is soon at her feet again. Together, they launch forth on a professional musical career, are successful, marry and go to live in Europe. 17 years later, Graham, Ann, and Reginald--now a neurotic young spendthrift--return to America. Reginald meets Marion's daughter Lois, whom everyone supposes to be Tim and Mary's daughter, and attempts to force his attentions on her. He goes from bad to worse--forging checks, gambling wildly--and finally robs and kills Graham and lets old Tim be accused of the crime. But young newspaper reporter Bobby Sharp discovers several clues that put him on the right track and also prove that Lois is Marion Stuart's missing daughter. Reginald is cornered and, in an intensely dramatic scene, forced to confess the murder. Ann is then confronted with similar evidence, and while fatally ill she confesses the whole truth before she dies. Lois is reinstated in her rightful position as Graham's heiress, Bobby marries her, and the old caretakers, Tim and Mary, are made comfortable for the rest of their lives.