Plot

Circus dancer Babette learns from Zaidee, her fortune-teller mother, that her father is the respected businessman Ezra Butterworth, who had deserted Zaidee years before and then remarried. After Zaidee dies, Babette goes to live with Ezra, but he is so fearful that his second wife, as well as the townspeople, will learn of his less-than-upright past that he takes her in as his ward and forbids her to mention their real relationship. Still, gossip begins, and Ezra is forced to tell the whole story to his wife, who forgives him. Disgusted by the intolerant townspeople, Babette returns to the circus, as well as to her sweetheart Petey. In the end, Ezra publicly acknowledges her as his daughter and presents Babette and Petey with a farm as a wedding present.—Pamela Short

Babette, the butterfly dancer of a big southern carnival show, is loved by Petey, another performer. She is the daughter of Ezra Butterworth, a church and business magnate of the town where she is playing, but neither knows of the relationship, as Butterworth's wife, who is Zaidee, the fortune teller of the show, had been deserted by Butterworth many years before. Babette learns the secret of her birth through a box of papers, to which her mother carries the key always with her. The church people are shocked when Babette goes to Butterworth's house, makes known her claim, and is taken into the home, Butterworth acceding to her demand through fear that his present wife will learn of his previous escapade. She makes friends with Mrs. Butterworth, but the junior warden of the church, who attempted familiarities with Babette in the show, is her special destination. The church people demand that Butterworth send the girl away or resign his church position. The rector and the girl overhear the committee. The rector asks her to marry him, but she declines, and Butterworth decides to resign. Babette goes to Mrs. Butterworth to say goodbye. Butterworth comes in and tells his wife the story of his early marriage and is forgiven, but Babette goes back to the circus, and Petey is welcomed in friendly fashion by the rector and Butterworth.—Moving Picture World synopsis