Prologue: Conrad LaGrange proposes marriage to Mary Gibson. She refuses him, and marries Aaron King. A son, Aaron King, Jr., is born to them. John Willard, who does not approve of the intimacy between his sister, Myra, and James Rutlidge, provokes a quarrel with Rutlidge. Thinking he has killed him, Willard goes West. A baby is born to Myra, who does not know that Rutlidge has a wife. Mrs. Rutlidge learns of it. Crazed with jealousy, she seeks Myra, throws acid in her face, marring her for life; then commits suicide. With Myra's permission, Rutlidge takes the baby to raise with his son, James Rutlidge, Jr., and shares his wealth equally between them. Myra refuses his offers of money, and writes to John Willard, her brother, asking for help. In California, he holds up a mail stage to get money for her fare west. Willard is arrested. Myra, ignorant of this, goes to Graymont, Cal. Not finding her brother, she wanders into the mountains and to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Andres, who take her...