The opening scene shows a chance meeting of Jennie, a factory girl, and Joe. He accompanies her to the door of her home, and plainly shows his admiration. He bargains with and finally persuades a sexton to perform a mock marriage. When the minister of the church comes upon the sexton and sees his preoccupation, he learns what he is about to do, and tells the sexton he will perform the ceremony, and thereby make it valid. When Jennie is about to leave the factory, she is handed a note from Joe, suggesting the marriage that night, which gives her great pleasure. They are wedded by the minister, who is clothed like the sexton. Joe later receives word from Jennie that she must tell her mother of the ceremony. He plans a meeting and writes as she valued her life not to reveal the marriage. After they meet and part, Jennie wanders away, leaving her bag with Joe’s note on the ground, and finally joins a band of gypsies. When Jennie’s belongings are found, a crime is suspected and Joe traced and arrested. He is tried and condemned. The minister comes to the prison and tells Joe he was really married to Jennie. Jennie, who is with the gypsies, sees a newspaper, which tells that Joe Rogers’ life is to be ended. The gypsies learn of her trouble and give her a horse and wagon to go to save her husband. After much hard riding, Jennie reaches the gallows in time to prevent the punishment, and they are happily reunited.