Common Clay

When department store clerk Ellen Neal grows dissatisfied with her job, her friend Jennie Peters convinces her to visit a cabaret, where she becomes an innocent victim of a police raid. After spending the night in jail and resolving to lead a better life, Ellen obtains a position as maid in the wealthy Fullerton home, where she falls in love with the son, Hugh. After Hugh leaves for war service, Ellen gives birth to his baby. She appeals to the Fullertons for help, but they bring the case to family friend Judge Filson. It is disclosed that Ellen is actually the illegitimate daughter of the judge himself and a woman who committed suicide after her baby was born. The judge accepts Ellen as his daughter. When Hugh returns home from the war, he falls in love anew with Ellen, despite his parents' protests, and the couple are married.