Aleda Shannon, a child of nature, full of life and talent for classic dances, dances in her garden to the music from the birds. Roland Felder, her sweetheart, and her parents oppose the dances for they can’t realize their beauty. Edith, sister of Aleda, returns home from a trip and a ball is given in her honor, but the parents refuse to let Aleda perform before the guests. Angered over it and urged by Edith, who has fallen in love with Roland, Aleda accepts the offer of Burke, the theatrical manager, to appear on the stage for the season. Her father disowns her. Edith sets her cap for Roland and Mr. Shannon spares no expense in aiding her to keep him in the family. She gives Roland the wrong address to Aleda and his letter never reaches her. Aleda writes Edith and mentions she would wait till Roland has written first. Later Aleda writes again and states she has received his letter but had no time to answer. As the time goes, Roland believes he cares for Edith. Three months later Aleda returns to New York weary of the stage and longing to see Roland. He reads of her in the paper and attends the performance. He goes to her dressing room, where they realize Edith’s interference and she promises to quit the stage and marry him. Mr. Shannon gives his consent upon Aleda’s promise never to return to the stage. She is welcomed back home, where Edith denies her charges and is jealous over losing Roland. Burke tells Aleda any time she wants to return, he will give her $2,000 a night. Aleda and Roland become engaged. Shannon’s extravagance during her absence has crippled him financially, but no one else knows of it. On December 9, during a reception, Shannon receives word from the trust company of his $20,000 note being past due, allowing him to January 1 to pay it, otherwise his property will go into the receiver’s hands. Aleda reads this and decides to save him, writing Burke her wish to return. He replies that he is pleased and assures her secrecy, she having requested it, and he asks her to meet him at nine that night. Edith reads this and takes Roland that night to the theater and shows him Aleda entering the office with Burke. He is heartbroken, but does not respond to Edith’s love making. Shannon is shown the letter and Aleda allows herself to be falsely accused and is driven from home. She writes Roland of taking a two weeks’ visit but Edith tells him the truth; that Aleda has signed up for fourteen nights, under the name of Princess Yoma to avoid recognition. Roland’s father attends later and recognizes her. Roland rushes to the theater. She shows him why she was there and he reclaims her. The maid is substituted, his father is sent for and is convinced that it was not Aleda he saw. Christmas Eve, while Shannon is waiting for the crisis, he receives a letter and receipt for the $20,000 from Aleda, who has paid it. Filled with shame, he goes to her hotel and is shown the contract she made with Burke. On Christmas morning Aleda returns home and Roland’s father gives her a large check for keeping her promise.