Angered at his old father's miserly habits, Tom Stone leaves home in a fit of rage. He does not realize that, despite the old man's crabbed ways, he loves him: nor does he appreciate the fact that he himself is loved by Evelyn Gray. Silas Stone is failing fast and Evelyn tenderly tends him. Upon Tom's departure, Silas makes a will, by which all his property goes to Tom, providing that he returns repentant before the last leaves fall from a tree beside the old man's window. The will is sealed, and is to be opened on the last day of the year, or when all the leaves have fallen. In case Tom fails to comply with the condition, Evelyn is to inherit everything. Evelyn is the only one who is aware of the terms of the will. Tom, working in distant harvest fields, feels his heart soften toward his father, and starts home. Meanwhile, Silas has died, and Tom returns to find the old house empty. During the night a great storm arises. Evelyn awakens, and, not knowing of Tom's return, thinks that all chance of his coming into possession of his father's wealth will be gone before dawn. The storm will beat the few remaining leaves from the tree. She steals out into the night, and climbing into the swaying tree, ties a dozen leaves securely to their twigs. Tom, awakened by the storm, sees the girl, buffeted by the wind and drenched by rain, her presence disclosed by vivid lightning flashes, but so strange and improbable is the picture that he sets it all down as a vision of his weary brain. The next day he learns that Evelyn has been stricken with pneumonia, and is puzzled and bewildered. Tom proves a constant friend during Evelyn's illness and convalescence, and love claims him for its own. Comes finally the last day of the year and old Silas' will is read. As soon as Tom hears the strange conditions, he examines the leaves that still cling to the tree beside the old house. He now realizes what he saw was no vision and that it was the exposure to the storm which brought about her so-nearly-fatal illness. He can only swear in his heart to make himself worthy of her great love by a lifetime of devotion.