- Bank cashier Ramsey Latham is sentenced to prison for violation of the banking laws. On his way to the penitentiary, he encounters Hilary Kenyon, a young girl who speaks encouragingly to him. Later he is surprised to discover that Hilary is also a prisoner, having been found guilty of manslaughter for killing a man who attacked her. At the end of five years, they are both paroled and get married, settling down on a ranch. Two years later, they are living happily with their baby boy when Latham's old cellmate arrives and threatens to blackmail Latham for violating the parole laws, which forbid a prisoner to wed before his parole expires. Foiled in his attempt, the man reports the violation to Sheriff Milligan, who visits the ranch and becomes indignant at the idea of breaking up the home. The sheriff takes the case to the governor who grants a pardon to Latham, thus allowing the family to remain together.
- Ramsey Latham, cashier of the Traders' Bank and Trust Company, discovers the insolvency of his organization, finding that the president, DeWitt Pierce, has withdrawn huge sums for business other than that of the bank. Pierce promises restitution the next day. But, the next day sees him a suicide, and the arrest of Ramsey for the failure of the bank. On his way to the penitentiary with a prisoner, Sheriff Brad Milligan stops at the Ingleside jail for the night. The next day the jail whistle blows a long blast, announcing the escape of convicts. The guards set out and Moody, the warden, finds that he can spare no one to guard Ramsey during his trip to the penitentiary. Assailed by the public press for favoritism towards Ramsey, Moody feels that he can no longer delay transporting him. Thus Brad Milligan consents to take Ramsey along with his other prisoner. The door of the prison opens and Hilary Kenyon, accompanied by a matron, steps out. Ramsey looks at her with admiration and she walks toward him. "Ten years," he answers to her question. "Good behavior will shorten your sentence. In five years you will be eligible for parole," she says. At San Salito station they alight from the train and are transferred to the penitentiary bus. In the office the prisoners are registered. A matron comes out to receive Hilary. He realizes that she, too, is to serve a sentence. Five years later Hilary is paroled. She makes her way to Greenbrae to take up a position as maid. In his cell Ramsey tells his mate, J. Arthur Converse, alias "Gentleman Harry," of his anticipated parole. His attorneys have written him that near Santa Paula they have purchased a ranch where he is to spend the period of his parole, inasmuch as by the rules of the State, he will not be allowed to engage in business until he shall have received a full discharge. His parole is granted, and Ramsey, trudging the highroad, comes upon Hilary Kenyon, dejected. Sadly she tells of her struggles ever since the day of her parole. The taint of the prison is ineradicable, and restraint and suspicion have made her position impossible. "I left this morning. It was unbearable."' Then follow confidences. She was sentenced because, in defending herself from attack, she killed the man who sought to betray her, and he because of the bank failure, has suffered for the crime of another. Their fortunes have been east as in a single mold, and so he leads her to his ranch in Santa Paula, his wife. Two years elapse and over the lives of Ramsey and Hilary and their little baby, falls a shadow of evil. The law of the State forbids marriage to those who are out of prison under parole. Arthur Converse informs Sheriff Milligan that Ramsey has married and broken his parole. Suspicious of his visitor, Milligan is forced to admit that he is not the parole officer. "There's a reward for a parole violator that might be split." Milligan sees his visitor's game. "Mug that guy and send his picture to San Quentin," he orders one of his deputies. The next day word comes from the penitentiary. The man whose photograph the sheriff has sent is "Gentleman Harry," and then follows a detailed account of his prison record. Harry is cautioned to stay away from the Santa Paula district. Sheriff Milligan visits Ramsey and Hilary and the young folks stand petrified. Slowly the horrible truth comes over them; they have broken the law. Milligan sees the terror in their eyes and his nerve fails him. With a mighty effort he hides his feelings and tells them that he has come to congratulate them and to see the baby. Hilary is convinced and promises Milligan to name the baby "Brad" after him. Ramsey walks to the gate with him. "You fooled Hilary, Sheriff, but I know the parole officer is after me." Milligan, however, takes the matter up with the Governor, and is successful in obtaining pardons for Ramsey and Hilary, thereby legitimatizing their child.
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