One day Coventry Petmore leaves his wife and child to go out in the world and fight the social evils of divorce and loveless marriage. Circumstances lead him to the home of Judge Mitchell, where the judge's son, a minister, and his wife Beatrice reside. The minister does not believe in expressing affection to his wife, and Beatrice becomes enamored of her chauffeur Larry Price.

Thousands of persons would die in the present if it were not for the memories of the past. Old Mrs. Merkle has one cherished reminder of bygone days, her wedding gown.

Although deeply in love with his wife, Smith is intensely jealous of her and when she receives a note from her cousin, Tom, to the effect that they have decided to give the melodrama, "The Wicked Earle," as a surprise to Mr. Smith on his birthday.

Young and pretty, Margery Dean, companion to Mrs. Sawyer, a wealthy lady, chances to meet Jack Drislane, a young clerk. It is raining hard; she has not an umbrella; he secures one and escorts her home. He is duly impressed when she enters a large brownstone mansion, particularly as the girl does not enlighten him as to her real social position; Later, they see each other again in passing autos and then Jack, who has been unable to forget Margery, asks permission to call, neglecting to mention, however, that he is a working man and not a wealthy idler.

Glory Quayle, a natural-born mimic, leaves her country home, reaches London, goes on the stage, gains fame and affluence. John Storm, her country sweetheart, believing he has lost Glory forever, enters a monastery, tries to forget her, cannot kill his love, returns to the world, becomes a famous slum worker and friend of the poor.

Ethel, whose financially distressed parents depend on her marrying into wealth, may be forced to abandon the man she loves for her father's rich friend.

The Payne family of Lonesomeville set up a Fairy Play, founded upon the story of "The Sleeping Beauty," and Helene Payne secures the wealthy Mrs. Wilson's financial support. She is a lady no longer young, but insists upon playing the ingenue lead. Miss Tibbitts. a mournful old maid, is secured for their "Danseuse." Willey Finley gives out the parts, while Doctor Heffernan is given the directorship.

As Danny Rowland, a tramp, and his partner Dominie, an ex-minister, trudge wearily past the Winnicrest mansion in Tennessee, an old servant called Uncle Alex rushes up to Danny and welcomes him home as his long-lost employer, Richard Castleman. Amused, Danny assumes the role, and he and Dominie are clothed, fed, and generally treated like royalty. The beautiful Jean Logan, who had believed with the rest of the neighborhood that Richard was lost at sea, greets her returning sweetheart with a passionate embrace, and Danny soon falls in love with her.

Enemy agents under the leadership of "Emanon" conspire with pacifists to keep the American defense appropriations down at a time when forces of the enemy are preparing to invade. The invasion comes, and New York, Washington, and other American cities are devastated.