George Baxter presents his new wife, Margery. Paul Sneed, Baxter's neighbor, knew Margery before the marriage. When Baxter returns home unexpectedly one night, he finds Sneed and his wife together. As Sneed runs away, Baxter shoots and kills him. Both Margery and Sneed's father, Judge Randolph Sneed, witness the shooting.

U. S. Senator Frank Deering has spent his life trying to alleviate the misery of child labor. Judge Vernon, his closest friend, aids him in this struggle. Unexpected circumstances force Judge Vernon to borrow money from Henry McCarthy, one of the factory owners most responsible for the harsh and inhumane working conditions. Judge Vernon is unable to pay off the loan, and is reduced to accepting a bride from McCarthy. Later, the Judge is stricken with a heart-condition but, on his dying bed, he confesses the shameful act he committed to Deering. To keep his friend's name unsullied, Deering makes a deal with McCarthy and votes against the child-labor-act he sponsored. His colleagues and the world, unaware of his sacrifice, mock and jeer him.

Gun Connor decides to fight the drug evil, after learning that his brother is a victim. He redoubles his efforts when he learns that the father of the girl he loves is the manufacturer and chief distributor of the drug. In his effort and with revenge as a motive he becomes responsible for Ailene Graham, daughter of the head of the drug gang, succumbing to the influence of the deadly narcotic. He works every angle to torture her father into realizing the dangers he has been dealing out to others, through daily letters in which the girl's growing helplessness is pointed out. Finally, when she becomes a helpless victim of the drug, Connor takes her to her father, who, upon seeing that his dealings in the drug have reached his own fireside, refrains from the further dealings, and months later, joins his daughter in the mountains, where Connor has taken her and his own brother. Completely cured, Connor's love is rewarded. A cure is effected and contentment reigns.

Stanley Clark seduces innocent young Marion in a hotel room, then tears out the incriminating page from the hotel register to use for blackmailing. Years later, Marion marries Governor John Loring whose brother, Richard, overhears Clark extorting money from Marion. Richard follows Marion to Clark's room where she begs for more time to raise the required money.

Baby Bagnell is fourteen years old. She has two dead parents and one adult boyfriend. A 1980s coming-of-age story about death, dysfunction, and resilience on roller skates.