David Bucklin denounces his father, changes his name and hides away in a far city. An accomplished violinist, David secures an engagement through the medium of a vaudeville team. He has made friends with little Dorothy, daughter of the actor and actress, and consequently the parents take an interest in the unfortunate young man. Dorothy becomes ill, a lamp explodes, and she is saved from death by fire through the courage of David. Later the parents of little Dorothy die and David adopts the child. He spends most of his meager salary to educate the little girl, and as she blossoms into young womanhood he sends her to a fashionable young ladies' seminary. Dorothy inherits her parents' theatrical talents and later becomes a prima donna. In the meantime the fortunes of Bucklin go from bad to worse. He loses his position on the stage; later is discharged from a cabaret and is almost starving in a tenement district. David is ashamed to meet his ward, for he has made a pretense to her that he is wealthy. Dorothy returns from a prolonged and successful tour. David concludes to sell his violin to a connoisseur in return for the privilege of occupying the wealthy man's home for a short time in which to receive his ward. Dorothy calls and he tells her that she owes the world her services. Dorothy suspects something is wrong. She discovers her guardian has merely borrowed the home in which to receive her. She obtains David's address, visits the tenement where David is starving, and through her love his stubborn pride is defeated, and together they attain happiness.