Elliott Cook, a rising young attorney, and Alvin Parker, superintendent of the Dartmouth mills, controlled by Steve Aldrich, political boss of the town, are fast friends and chums. Richard Newton is the banker of the city and is held in high esteem. His motherless daughter, Esther, and Parker have long been sweethearts and the boy’s bashfulness has been the only thing which kept them from being engaged. Cook is engaged to Bertha Deveril, a beautiful girl, and they are only waiting to set the day, upon the outcome of Cook’s hope of securing a diplomatic post in Europe. Aldrich is going over the available material to use for a candidate for mayor and decides upon Newton for several reasons, among them being that he is highly esteemed, can contribute liberally to the fund and mainly because Aldrich has met Esther, taken a liking to her and desires to win her for his own. Alvin proposes to the girl and finally gains her father’s consent. Soon afterwards Newton is offered the nomination, which he accepts. From the moment of his entrance into the public eye, Newton’s manner changes and he becomes more autocratic, self-satisfied and haughty. Cook receives his appointment and Bertha promises to wait for his return. Aldrich begins to hound Parker, knowing that he stands in the way of his winning Esther and the boy’s bitterness is complete when Newton, urged by Aldrich, forbids him the house. Esther is heartbroken but is forced to consent to her father’s wishes. Newton, confident of winning the nomination, looks around for a wife. He has long coveted Bertha, but heretofore his knowledge that Cook held her love has held him in check, becoming arrogant over his popularity, he finally sues for her hand. Her parents, thinking of the bright future the girl will have, exert their persuasion and she is forced to accept. A year passes and Cook returns from Europe, covered with honors. On his arrival in New York he receives a message from Bertha asking that their engagement be broken. He agrees, not without wondering what is the cause of her change of heart. With a heavy heart he starts homeward. Aldrich and Newton have become constant companions and the former presses his attentions upon Esther upon every occasion while Newton, being under obligations to Aldrich, constantly impresses upon the girl her duty to him. Newton and his friends are having a big celebration the night of the election and Alvin calls at the house but is thrown out. Later he returns and gets Esther to secretly leave with him and they get married, returning home without anyone learning the secret. Newton is elected. The next night a big reception is to be given in celebration of the victory and incidentally to announce the engagement of Aldrich and Esther. Alvin is discharged from his position the same day that Cook returns and is met by his friends who stage a big demonstration. Cook learns the details of the election and how Bertha is affianced to Newton. Alvin seeks out Cook for comfort, tells him of his troubles and is heartened by his old friend. Cook attends the reception, but persuades Alvin to remain at his (Cook’s) apartment, fearing that the boy will get into trouble if he goes. Cook and Bertha meet at the reception and she begins to feel a desire for Cook and condemns herself for allowing their engagement to be broken, but through her parents’ persuasions still lets it be known that she and Newton will be married. Alvin, unable to bear the thought of his wife being alone and fearing Aldrich’s influence upon her, secretly comes to the house and, entering from the rear, comes upon Esther and Aldrich alone in a room. The politician is forcing his attentions upon her. Alvin enters, tells of their marriage and is attacked by Aldrich. In the struggle he strangles Aldrich to death. Cook, worrying about Esther being with Aldrich, comes into the room and learns of the murder. He forces Alvin to leave and slips Esther out so that when the body is discovered he is accused of the crime, arrested and taken to jail. When Bertha sees him in handcuffs she senses a revulsion of feeling. Bertha then tries to comfort Esther and they all believe her wild grief is over the death of Aldrich. Alvin, left to himself, suffers the torments of the damned. His guilty conscience will not be stilled and like a mad man he hurries to his wife’s house where he makes a clean breast of the affair. Newton, fearful of the effects of the affair upon his public reputation, vainly tries to get Alvin to allow Cook to bear the blame, but this is even too much for Bertha and she denounces Alvin for deserting his friend. He in turn accuses her of doing the same, but determines to bear the blame of the murder. Cook is released. Alvin’s trial is sensational but he is released on the plea of self-defense. Newton humbly retires from public life. Cook swings into public favor and is boosted for next mayor and Bertha, repentant, seeks and gains his forgiveness. Alvin and Esther at last happy, settle down very quietly.