Toma is owner of sawmill. Rositza is a distant relative of Toma and works as a housekeeper in his house. Rositza is in love with Dobri, Toma's son, but her status does not allow her to reveal her feelings. Besides, Dobri is engaged to Elena, daughter of a prosperous merchant. A few days before wedding Dobri retu8rns home drunk. In the morning paper he reads that the previous night a man was stabbed to death with a pocket-knife. He discovers that his pocket-knife fits the description in the paper with its broken blade. Dobri confess everything to Elena and her parents. Elena will not marry a criminal. Dobri describes his predicament to Rositza and declares his love to her. Rositza goes to Elena and explains her that Dobri is innocent: some time ago Rositza herself broke the knife. Meanwhile the real killer had been caught. Dobri learns from Elena of Rositza's visit. Dobri catches up her on the path and takes her into his arms.