- The sole support of her invalid mother and young crippled brother, Heloise Broulette is forced to become the mistress of Leland Norton in order to secure the money for an operation to save her mother's life. Mrs. Broulette recovers, but when she discovers the real source of her daughter's income, the news kills her. After her mother's death, Heloise leaves her career behind and goes to the country where she takes a job as a secretary to author Carter Vail, who falls in love with her. Ruth finds herself in a dilemma when Vail's sister Alice visits friends in the city and falls in love with Norton. Honor bound, Ruth sacrifices her own happiness to save Alice from Norton. In revenge, Norton informs Vail of Heloise's past, but Vail responds that she has the soul of a Magdalene despite the life that she had been forced to endure.—Pamela Short
- Heloise Broulette, the sole support of an invalid mother and a young, crippled brother, tries to keep the wolf from the door by teaching languages, but her pupils are few and the remuneration small. She is in despair when told by the doctor that an operation is necessary to save her mother's life. She tries to borrow the money for it, but is unable to do so. Leland Norton, a patron of the arts, sees Heloise, admires her, and goes to her studio on the pretext of having her translate a foreign book into English for him. Norton has a secret room which he calls his "Garden of Eden." He wants Heloise for the newest "Eve" to grace it. Discovering that she is in the depths of despair he asks her to deliver some work at his home, and then apparently in search for a rare old book, takes from the safe quantities of money, jewels and costly works of art. In her need, Heloise is overwhelmed at the sight of so much wealth. Norton tells her it is all hers, for so long as she needs it. Fully realizing his meaning, she says coldly, "It is a bargain." Mrs. Broulette recovers, and cannot say enough in praise of her daughter for the luxuries with which she surrounds her. Mrs. Morris, the woman who is taking care of her, has a "sporty" daughter, Lil, who tires of hearing Heloise's praises sounded. She works in a fashionable modiste's establishment, from which Norton selects a number of gowns for Heloise. She sees Heloise when she goes to deliver them, and recognizes her when she comes to visit her mother. Being well acquainted with Norton's unsavory reputation, she attempts blackmail, but her efforts to collect money are repulsed by Heloise. In revenge, Lil tells Mrs. Broulette the truth. Mrs. Broulette refuses to believe it, and Lil offers to prove her statement. She takes Heloise's mother to Norton's home while a party is in progress. Having struck up a flirtation with the valet, she succeeds in opening the secret door, and the two women enter the "Garden of Eden" just as a toast is being proposed to Heloise. Mrs. Broulette falls heavily to the floor, and does not survive the shock. Heloise follows her brother, Louis, to a suburb, where he is slowly gaining strength after his hard work on an invention. She becomes secretary to Carter Vail, an author, who lives with his mother and sister. They are kind-hearted people, and prevail upon Heloise to bring Louis to them. Alice, Vail's sister, goes to New York for a visit. Carter falls deeply in love with Heloise. He proposes, but she tells him they can never be married. While in the city Alice becomes engaged and brings her fiancé home to meet her family. Heloise is amazed to find that it is Leland Norton. When they are alone, she tells him he must leave at once and promise not to marry Alice, or she will expose him. He calls to her attention the fact that in exposing him she will only brand herself but she is willing to do it for the sake of the girl. He refuses to give up his claim on Alice and she goes to Carter and tells him the whole story, not sparing herself. Louis is dying. In a spirit of revenge, Norton tries to force his way into the boy's bedroom, to tell him of his sister's dishonor, but Carter keeps him out and the boy dies happy. Carter takes Heloise in his arms and forgives her.
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