During a jewelry-store holdup, 6-year-old Millicent Hawthorne, the neglected daughter of a wealthy socialite, falls on her head and is carried home to be reared by Mother Gumpf, the leader of the thieves. The fall cost Millicent her memory, but at night she dreams of her former high-society existence, while during the day she works for Gumpf as a pickpocket and later becomes a cabaret dancer. A friend of the Hawthornes sees Millicent perform, recognizes her, and reports back to Mrs. Hawthorne, who has vowed to be a devoted mother should she ever find her daughter. Finally, after the Hawthornes rescue Millicent from Kraft, the lecherous cabaret manager, an operation restores her memory, and she delights in the love of her long-lost mother.

Young scout Breck Coleman leads a wagon train along the dangerous trail to Oregon as he tries to get the affection of the beautiful pioneer Ruth Cameron and plans his revenge on the harsh scoundrels who murdered a friend of his in the past.

Richard Thorn, a wealthy young man who returns from Africa after his father's death to manage the family estate. While at the train station, he hires a taxi driven by Davis, a disgruntled man who envies Thorn's wealth and lifestyle. The story explores the contrast between the wealthy Thorn and the resentful Davis.

Lowell Sherman's seemingly perfect marriage to Alice, which is shattered when she has an affair with his best friend, Cyril Carr; Lowell's revenge ruins Cyril, leading to suicide, after which Lowell supports Cyril's son and marries Cyril's widow, Muriel, finding a complex love amidst ruin and guilt.