Plot

Rose and Charley Sterling are neighbors. They have settled their future long ago, and keep their intentions a secret. It is true they are not of the same faith, but what significance has creed for youth and love? One day Rose persuades Charley to come to her house and the youthful pair are making love when old Elias steps into the room. Charlie is shown the door without ceremony, and invited to stay at home in future. Rose is made to understand that it's not Charlie's fault, but "East is East," and "Creed is Creed." Although old Elias has prevented Charley from coming to his house, he cannot prevent the music of the church opposite, where the Reverend Sterling ministers, and Charlie is chief choirmaster, from coming into his name. The next day Elias consults the minister about their children's little affair. The Rev. Sterling as alarmed as Elias is of a misalliance, bundles Charley off to college to study for the ministry. When Rose fails to hear her sweetheart's voice on the following Sunday, she learns that Charley is at college. With the lapse of years, Charles Sterling, now a son of the church, returns home, but Elias, as wise as he is pious, has a conference with Moses Blum, the marriage broker, and Rose is asked to make her choice. After turning down the first candidate, she decides to accept the second as there is no way out of it, and amid general rejoicing on Sunday evening at a betrothal ceremony, the pen is put into her hand to sign the contract. At that moment the new young minister has stepped into the pulpit to give an inaugural address at his father's church, and the sound of Charley's voice proves too much for poor Rose. She flings the pen down and flees from the room. Rose tries to forget the painful incident and devotes herself to acts of charity. One day she is called to the bedside of a sick neighbor and a minister is hastily summoned as the invalid shows signs of collapsing. In the absence of the district minister, his son, just ordained, is sent, and Rose again meets her old lover. Fate seems to have interfered again and they decide not to thwart it this time. In duty bound, they seek permission from their respective parents, and in each case are shown the door. As they turn to leave the minister's house, Charley receives a telegraphic "call" to a distant pastorate at a good salary. Rose sees in his pleasure her bitterness. How can he accept if she is to be Mrs. Sterling, in a close New England community? So she goes sadly back home again, where she finds her stricken father, who has already mourned for her as if she had ceased to exist.—Moving Picture World synopsis