Musical comedy star Marie Lamonte, the mistress of Harvey Martin, has her daughter, Dorothy, reared in a convent school. Realizing that the daughter is about to come home, Marie gives up her luxurious life with Martin and in maternal devotion retires to humble lodgings. There she is happy with Dorothy, who is in love with young artist Geoffrey Hutchins. Martin, however, lavishes Dorothy with gifts and persuades her to elope with him; learning that Martin has fascinated Dorothy, Marie goes to his apartment to plead with him to give up the girl, who meanwhile is concealed in an adjoining room. Martin refuses, and in desperation Marie shoots at him. In admiration of her courage, Martin changes his mind, telling Dorothy that he never intended to marry her; and when the girl is united with Geoffrey, Marie is at last happy.—AFI
A clergyman sitting on a train hears another passenger declare there is no such thing as fate. He asks the man why he believes that, and the man relates a story.
Marie Lamonte, a musical comedy star, did not want her career interrupted, so she put her daughter Dorothy in a convent. Harvey Martin lives a lavish lifestyle with Marie. When Dorothy graduates from the convent, she begs her mother to let her come home. Marie now realizes she must sacrifice her life with Martin, so she leaves him. She takes a small apartment and takes Marie there. Martin is furious.
Marie's career begins to fall off. Martin then offers to take her back, but Marie tells him Dorothy is worth more to her than anything he has to offer. When Martin sees Dorothy, he becomes interested in her. Meanwhile, Dorothy has fallen for a young art student named Geoffrey Hutchins. When Dorothy receives a bunch of orchids anonymously, she thanks Hutchins for them, but he claims he did not send them. Martin waits one evening until Marie has gone to the theater, and then calls on Dorothy, bringing her flowers. Dorothy is thrilled to discover her secret admirer and promises to keep their relationship a secret.
At Christmas, Dorothy receives more flowers, and a pin. Marie becomes alarmed, and comes home early from the matinee to see Martin leave Dorothy at her door. When Hutchins comes to call on Dorothy, Marie leaves him with her daughter and tells him to wait until she comes home. That evening Marie meets Martin and implores him to leave Dorothy alone. Martin tells her he loves Dorothy and wants to marry her. The following day, Marie comes home from the theater and finds a note from Dorothy telling her she has gone to Martin. Marie telephones Hutchins, telling him to wait outside Martin's home and to take care of Dorothy no matter what happens. Then Marie goes to Martin and demands he leave Dorothy or she will kill him. When Martin refuses, Marie shoots him, wounding him on the hand. This causes Martin to see the light, and when he sees Dorothy, he breaks off the relationship. Dorothy rushes into the arms of her faithful Hutchins, and he escorts her home.
Back on the train, the passenger tells the clergyman that this is the reason he is sure that men make their own destiny while Life, "The Grim Comedian," lies in wait to mock him. As the train pulls into a stop, the passenger gets up to depart, and the clergyman notices the scar on the man's hand.
