A woman sees her fiancé murdered, is lost in despair,
and marries a wealthy lawyer; but a younger man awakens love in
her again.
Ned Montgomery (Philip Reed) and Marian Ormsby (Barbara Stanwyck)
kiss and look forward to marrying; but while leaving their party
Ned is killed by a jealous husband. Marian goes to the Rockies
and walks in the forest. She falls, and Daniel Forrester (Frank
Morgan) carries her back. Rosa (Rafaela Ottiano) takes care of
Marian, who thanks Dan but is bitter. Dan keeps seeing Marian
and says she must face life. He asks her to marry. As he is leaving,
she agrees even though she does not love him. He says their marriage
will be based on honesty. Dan helps her to meet his friends. Marian
visits Dan in his office and meets lawyer Neil Herbert (Lyle Talbot).
Dan has a house built for Marian. At a party Marian dances with
Neil, who says he is resigning because he is in love with her;
but she stops him and tells Dan he is staying.
While Marian is working in her garden, Frank Ellinger (Ricardo
Cortez) lands his airplane. He kisses her, and she slaps him.
At a party Marian learns that Frank is an air transport owner.
She asks to go to New York with Dan; but he says no. Marian finds
Frank at her home, and they do things together. Neil finds Marian
with Frank and leaves. Frank kisses Marian and says he loves her.
Marian tells him she must talk with Dan. Marian greets Dan, but
he is busy with a big case. Marian is honest with Dan and says
she is in love. Dan understands, and she cries. Dan stays up all
night. In court Dan is distracted and asks to be excused.
Marian learns that Dan is ill from a heart attack and tells Frank
that she owes her life to Dan. Marian stays with Dan; but he insists
on honesty and urges her to go because it has ended. Rosa tells
Marian not to drink. Neil tells Dan his client is waiting for
him. Marian talks to Neil about life and says Dan won't want her
and that she is lost. Dan asks Marian to stay near him and says
he loves her. She suggests they travel, and he asks for a kiss.
Marian tells Dan that she will never be lost again.
Willa Cather was so disappointed that her story was changed
so much that she never allowed another adaptation of her work
during her life. Yet in this drama Marian learns that honesty
and caring are essential to true love and that what is often called
love is merely sexual attraction.