The fisherfolk of Douglastown, a small Massachusetts village, have a fete in honor of the departure of Jack Martin, who is going on a long cruise. Conspicuous among the dancers is Molly Newell, the village beauty, and as the dance progresses it requires no seer to discover that Jack is madly in love with Molly and that his attentions are by no means unwelcome. Stanley, a rough, big-hearted fellow, tries to escort Molly home, but she has already promised Jack and the two gaily leave while the boys and girls laugh at Stanley. On their way home Jack gives Molly a photograph of himself and they plight their troth. At the quay the next day Molly takes leave of her lover and sobbingly waves him a fond good-bye. For several months no news of the “Marion H.,” upon which Jack has sailed, is heard; but at last sad tidings of the complete loss of the good old ship comes to the village. Stanley tries to keep the truth from Molly, but she suspects the worst, reads the notice of the disaster and is struck dumb with sorrow. Things go badly at Molly’s home, and finally she, her father and mother are reduced to the point of starvation. Stanley, becoming aware of their poverty, offers to marry Molly and gladly take care of her folks. She gently refuses, saying that her heart is buried beneath the sea with her sailor lover. Despite the Stanley is willing to take her; and urged by her mother, Molly finally accepts. After a lapse of two years we find Molly the doting mother of a handsome boy, whom she loves devotedly. She however, cannot forget her old sweetheart; and she sits by the cradle of her little one, and a vision opens to her; she sees herself and Jack as they wandered through the shady lanes some years ago. Her happy smile suddenly changes to horror as the vision is replaced by the dead figure of her old lover, washed ashore on the rocks. This gradually fades until the cry of “Molly!” causes her to turn around and she beholds Jack standing in the doorway, with outstretched arms. Thinking it a part of the vision, Molly draws away, but as Jack advances, she touches him and finds that he is real flesh and blood. Unconsciously she falls into his arms, but on remembering that she is the wife of another, she struggles to free herself. Jack’s gaze falls on the baby and he realizes the situation. He upbraids her, but she quickly explains the circumstances and he forgives her. Though tempted to fly with each other, Jack’s nobility of soul and Molly’s sense of duty to her child cause them to halt. Jack departs, never to return, and Molly is saved to herself, her husband and her boy.