While at the front during the Great War, Calvin Price dreams of the day he can return home to Masseyville and marry his sweetheart, Janie Cullison. Expecting a royal welcome upon his return, he is crestfallen when no one meets him at the train. When he arrives home, his mother turns away from him in sorrow and he discovers that Janie has become engaged to Lin Sparklin. Shunned by the townspeople, Calvin finally discovers that the Sparklin brothers have slandered his reputation with stories of cowardice and drunkenness. Calvin confronts the brothers with their lies and forces their retraction. After the truth is revealed, Calvin becomes the town hero and Janie contritely returns to him, but Calvin rejects her for Rosy Redhead, a childhood playmate who remained loyal throughout his tribulations.
—AFI