When Mary Murdock is forced by circumstances to choose between the street and theft, she is caught breaking into the home of Robert Howard and is sentenced to prison. Unable to find employment after serving her prison term, Mary seeks out Howard and finds him about to commit suicide, depressed over his wife's leaving him for another man. Mary saves his life and convinces him to champion the cause of prison reform, in which he proves so successful that he is appointed warden, placing him in conflict with the political boss.