The west is the stamping ground for Paul Temple and his thespian associates. He is talking with his sweetheart, Jane Dinsmore, as Alice Robinson, Jane's intimate friend, enters with a letter from an erstwhile associate, advising her to go to New York and accept a place in the chorus. A word from Temple, and Alice has made up her mind. She leaves for New York. Temple and Jane have been married some time and are living unhappily, apart from the old folks. The former's reputation as a heavy actor is wide, but drink has degraded him. Subsequently, Jane dies, due to Temple's abuse of her. A short time previous to her death, Jane had sent a telegram to her father advising him of the wretched conditions under which she was living, and the information has prompted Dinsmore to go in search of her. Arriving at the Temple address, he is advised by the landlady of his daughter's demise and persecution. He swears to avenge his daughter.