- Karl Rittman, a young artist, is considered as a genius in art circles. He leaves his wife, Agnes, whom he loves dearly, alone much of the time while he works in the studio. Misunderstanding arises between them over this, and especially over the nude and semi-nude models he finds it necessary to use in his work. After a scene with her in the studio, during which she tells him that he must choose between her and this, "obscene" branch of his art, he premises to use them no more. During the absence of her husband, Agnes has formed an acquaintance with Jack Hemingway, a fascinating social parasite. He finally wins his way to her heart. She foolishly admits to him that she loves him and he pleads with her to leave with him. Karl has been granted a commission to paint a series of immense mural paintings for the new exposition building. Although this commission, executed, would be the making of him, he remembers his promise to Agnes concerning the necessary models. At the studio Jack convinces him, by telling him that any man is a fool to allow a woman to come between him and his success, and that the right thing to do is to go ahead, get the models and go to work. Jack then brings Agnes to the studio, where she sees Karl and the model in what she thinks a compromising position. Jack again pleads with her and she agrees to go, leaving Karl a note. Jack returns to the studio with the intention of stealing a sum of money which he saw paid to Karl that morning. In the attempt, he is discovered, and a shuffle follows, during which Karl is struck senseless by a cowardly blow. Jack tells Agnes nothing of the fight or the theft and they leave. Karl, heartbroken, abandons his art, and his one thought is for revenge upon the man who has wrecked his life. Later he learns of the whereabouts of his wife and Jack. Jack has been convicted of a bank fraud in the west and was sent to the penitentiary and that Agnes, under an assumed name, poses as a widow and is living in Canton. Karl, seeking diversion, takes a trip to the mountains during which he comes to Canton. Lured by his old love for her, he cautiously goes and watches the house, and is surprised to find her with a baby. Jack, broken down in health, breaks from the penitentiary. He and Agnes suddenly meet. He pleads with her to hide him until he can make his get-away. Seeing the physical condition he is in, she finally takes him to her house. Hearing a knock at the door, she hides him in a recess in the wall behind the kitchen cabinet, and upon opening the door is greatly surprised as Karl enters. He soon finds Jack's hiding place and insists upon a fight to a finish. Agnes pleads with him and asks him by all the love he once had for her, and for the sake of his child not to have murder on his soul. As she speaks of the child as his, he is dumbfounded. She takes him to the child and there tells him of Jack's arrest a few hours after leaving the studio, of her soon regretting the move she had taken, of her coming to Canton, of the birth of his child, and of her wishing many times that she could return only to realize it was too late. As she finishes telling him this, he picks up the child in his arms. He finds his wife alone, sobbing, and taking her in his arms, forgives her and restitution follows. They think of Jack and go to tell him of their plans, and that later, as soon as he is well enough they will help him to safety, but they find him dead.—Moving Picture World synopsis
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