During the 1860's, John Montgomery inherits a fortune but gambles all of it away. While losing at cards, John falls in love with Carlotta Valencia, the mistress of casino owner Martin Rood, and, as a result, he completely ignores his longtime sweetheart, Ellie Fenwick. Then, when Martin is found murdered, the townspeople accuse John of killing his only rival for Carlotta, and a mob prepares to lynch him. Just before the hanging, however, Ellie discovers that Carlotta has committed suicide and has left a note confessing to the murder. A free man once again, John vows to reform and begins by becoming reconciled with Ellie.
Based on the novel The Other Side of the Door by Lucia Chamberlain (Indianapolis, 1909).