James Guthrie, an ex-convict just out of prison with the $5 he was given upon his discharge, helps a wayward boy back to his home in the country. The boy's grateful parents ask Guthrie to stay with them, and their daughter Miriam falls in love with the newcomer. The ex-convict, unwilling to couple his disgraced name with the girl's pure one, leaves her a farewell note and goes away. On the train, the state detective who had officiated at Guthrie's discharge from prison, sees him and recognizes that he is in trouble. He wins from him the whole story. Then, persuading Guthrie to return with him to the farm, the detective tells the family the story of the young man's past, showing them that he was a victim of political grafters. At last Guthrie finds love and a home he can accept.