Richard, a young man of moderate means, is infatuated with the adventuress, Stella. The woman is the wife of Robert Kelton, a gambler, but Richard believes her to be a woman of beautiful, unfulfilled nature. He takes her home and introduces her to his mother, and eventually gives her a ring and other handsome pieces of jewelry, and proposing to her, is accepted. Kelton is in hard luck. The cards will not run right for him, and he and Stella are up against it. He persuades her to call Richard up and get him to come to her and then to get all the money she can from him. She does this and he promises to come at once. Stella and Kelton clear the room of cigarettes and cards and put them quickly in the inner room. Richard arrives and Kelton hides behind the curtains. Richard listens to Stella’s tale of woe and makes out a check to her for a large amount. He kisses her impulsively and starts off. He remembers that he has forgotten his check book and goes back for it. He hears and sees Kelton and the woman he thought so much of gloating over his simplicity, and in mortification and anger he tears the cheek up and goes. Thoroughly disillusioned, he goes west and engages in mining. Years pass and things are adjusting themselves, when a young fellow, Jim, stumbles upon Richard’s cabin. He is all in. Richard takes him in and attends to his wants and persuades him to stay with him. They become great friends and Richard makes him a partner. Some months go by and Jim continues to write to that little girl he left behind him and to enjoy the society of his friend. They take turns in going to town for provisions, and one day Jim’s turn comes and he starts off. Arriving in town, he is attracted to a new gambling house. He enters and sees Stella and Kelton, who are running it. Stella quickly gets him in her toils and her new victim is well bled and takes the opportunity to take her for a ride and proposes to her. Richard, who is worried about the lad, follows him to town and sees him with Stella. He follows them to the gambling house and when the game is in progress, steps in and denounces the couple. Jim goes with him, thoroughly broken up, but youth-like, he soon recovers. Richard persuades Jim to go back home to the girl, who receives him with open arms. The gamblers depart for fields anew and Robert lights his pipe and takes it all like a philosopher, even if a rather sad philosopher.