Gray is seated with his little one on the lawn when word is brought to him that he must sail for foreign shores. He calls to his wife, and their parting is full of pathos. He goes with the sailor who brought the message, and they board the vessel. His wife, who is disconsolate at the separation, turns from the consolation a friend offers. He some little time later brings the news of the wreck of the vessel her husband sailed on. She reads that none survived, and falls, weeping, into a chair. The man leaves her with reluctance, to conquer her grief. We see, however, that Gray, floating on a raft, was cast ashore on an island. Some years pass, and he is seen trying to attract the attention of a passing ship. Failing in this, he shows desperation. The wife, who believes Gray dead, visits the grave with her child and friend to place flowers upon it. After returning home, he tells of his love, but she turns from him, into the house, where she puts the linen she has ironed into a basket. This he carries for her, despite the fact that she is loath to accept his assistance. Gray, who has been successful in getting away from the island, returns home and sees his wife and child accompanied by her friend. He later sees them at the graveyard arranging flowers, and when the little one remains alone he goes to the grave and sees that it is to his memory. He falls across it, and the child runs for her mother, who returns. Both she and her friend recognize Gray. There is a happy reunion of the family, the other man taking leave of them. Husband, wife and child return home to forget the many years of sorrow.