When Renee Browning is falsely accused of having an illicit affair with circus manager Tony Salviatti, her jealous husband Horatio divorces her and takes custody of their little boy Stephen, to whom she had been devoted. Renee accepts a position as a circus fortune-teller, where she gradually deteriorates into drunken degradation. Twenty years later, Stephen, discouraged and down on his luck, comes to have his fortune told. Upon learning his name, Renee encourages him without revealing her true identity. With the fortune-teller's inspiration, Stephen becomes a successful political candidate and becomes engaged to the governor's daughter. Inspired by Stephen's success, Renee reforms and finally wins the respect and recognition of her son.—AFI