The picture opens with a scene in the drawing room of the home to which John Wilson, the State's District Attorney, has just brought his bride, Kate. This fades out into one year later. The young wife has become the mother of a baby girl. John Wilson is now a candidate for governor. Larry McCarthy, saloon proprietor and political boss of the southern half of the State, comes to Wilson's home to plead his support, and while there meets Kate. That same evening the Wilsons have dinner at the Frolic Café, where Estelle, a popular cabaret singer and McCarthy's sweetheart is the star performer. Because Wilson and his wife, both of whom do not drink, refuse to taste the wine offered by McCarthy, he decides to harm Wilson in his race for governor. With no suspicion of McCarthy's perfidy, Wilson is confident of victory, and in anticipation of it gives a ball on the night of election. During the affair, he receives news of his defeat.