In Washington, D.C., at a celebratory banquet preceding his flight to the South Pole, Donald Hall, a zeppelin commander, learns that his wife, Miriam, whom he worships, is in love with Lieutenant Tom Armstrong, his best friend and partner in the flight. She requests a divorce, which he agrees to grant after the voyage. When the zeppelin reaches the pole, a gale causes it to crash and the men divide up into search parties; a plane with room for only one finds Hall and Tom, and Hall insists that Tom be rescued. Tom is welcomed in Washington as the only survivor, but finds that Miriam still loves her husband, especially after learning of his sacrifice for what he perceived was her happiness. Later, news comes of Hall's rescue and miraculous recovery, and he is overjoyed to received Miriam's message that she loves him and awaits his return.
