August and Hilda are recent immigrants who cannot understand the American emphasis on weddings, because in their country, couples never get married. Fearing that he will be arrested for living with a woman who is not his wife, August stows away on a ship and dies in a wreck at sea. Afterward, Hilda tries to commit suicide, but rich Esther Grail saves her, and then adopts her infant son Stephen. Years later, Esther tells him the circumstances of his birth, and so Stephen goes on a crusade for the rights of illegitimate children. He is soon elected governor, but during his inaugural speech, a fanatic tries to shoot him. Hilda, however, not having seen Stephen for years but deciding to come hear him speak out for the underprivileged, sees the madman and, jumping in front of her son before the bullet hits him, dies in his place.—Pamela Short

August and Hilda loved each other. To them it was sufficient that they live in each other's company until they had enough money for the wedding. They decide to come to America to make money. August cannot find any work, but at last Hilda secures a position in the home of Harris Grail. Harris Grail and his wife, Esther, are happy in their love, but the one desire of their hearts, a child, is denied them. Esther discovers that to Hilda is to be given this wonderful gift. She questions the girl and learns that Hilda is not married. She turns her from the house, and innocent, ignorant, Hilda cannot see wherein she and August have done wrong. Frightened at what might happen to her through the laws of the new country, Hilda flees from August, and he, not understanding, but accepting her decision, sets sail and is lost at sea. Hilda's baby is born in a hospital, where she comes in contact with the strange law. The nurses try to force her to tell the name of the father, but Hilda will not disclose it. In the night she steals away with her precious baby. August is not at the cottage and Hilda decides that she will end it all in the sea. It happens that Harris is killed and Esther, longing to join her beloved one, goes to the sea with that in mind. The Gods decide that she shall choose the spot where Hilda has placed her baby in the basket, as a gift to the seas. Esther discovers the baby and takes it to her home. She engages Hilda as the nurse, not knowing the latter is the mother of the child, but Hilda soon leaves her. A few years later the heart hunger for her child becomes so strong that she returns and discloses the fact of her motherhood to Esther, who, by this time has learned to love the little Steven. By depicting the advantages the child will have by remaining with her, Esther persuades the mother to leave Steven with her. Years elapse. Steven, now a young man, is running for governor. He is in love with a beautiful girl named Marion. As if by instinct, Steven encourages the idea of legitimatizing all children born without benefit of clergy, using this as one of the planks in his platform. Hilda happens to read this in a newspaper. The old heart-hunger for a glimpse of her boy returns. Esther recognizes her and is overcome. Steven searches the garden and finds Hilda. He then learns from Esther the truth about his parentage. He now feels that he cannot ask Marion's hand in marriage. Hilda disappears, and search as he will, Steven cannot locate her. The election comes and Steven is victorious. At the inauguration, the proud Hilda tries once again to catch a glimpse of her son, but she is pushed roughly aside. A crank in the crowd is about to shoot Steven, but the mother, noticing and realizing the intention, intervenes, and receives the shot herself. When Steven learns who she is, and that she has sacrificed her life that he may live, he is strangely touched. She has the happiness of dying in his arms. Marion learns all and tells Steven that she loves him enough to share her life with his.—Moving Picture World synopsis