The Poverty of Riches

Katherine Holt marries John Colby and is desirous of having children, but her husband wishes to wait until he has attained further financial and social success; thus Katherine lavishes her affections on the children of Grace and Tom Donaldson. John is successful and enters wider social spheres, but he still refuses her request for children and neglects the home for business. Nevertheless, she refuses a former suitor, Phillips, when he proposes that she divorce her husband. John finally apologizes for his indifference and promises to fulfill her wishes when he is appointed manager. That evening, in an automobile accident, she sustains injuries that prevent her from bearing children. She reproaches her husband, who realizes he has sacrificed his life in the pursuit of wealth.