Plot

Kenneth Greves and his wife, Elsie, have a summer home at the seaside, and the christening of their baby draws a brilliant social gathering, among others Constance Strong, just returned from Europe, who is an old friend of the wife and who is prevailed upon to remain for several weeks. She is a beautiful woman, versed in the ways of the world and free from all minor faults, but there immediately arises between her and the husband a strange telepathic bond, commonly described as "affinity." As well-bred and self-respecting people, they vainly endeavor to hide their weakness, too plainly palpable to others. Elsie, however, wrapped up in her baby, is oblivious to all outside things even to forgetfulness of her husband that is almost neglect. He is thrown continually in the society of Constance and is too weak to resist the love that her presence radiates. A burning moment arrives when each acknowledges the ardent feeling for the other. John Greves, the father of the husband, an elderly but well-preserved man, accidentally witnesses this scene, and having feelings of his own for the fair Constance, together with a great desire to save his son from the smirch of a scandal, asks her to marry him. She refuses and prepares to make a hasty departure for exile in Europe. Elsie Greves has ever manifested a strange affection for the sea, having been born at sea, and the high tides often lure her down to the dangerous rocks. Her husband has observed this tendency and frequently warned her of the danger. She is a simple, trustful soul, and has never doubted her consort, nor does she for one moment dream of the sacrifice that Constance is making in her contemplated flight. The day after that lady's departure, which leaves Kenneth Greves alone in the bitter struggle, Elsie, his wife, by some strange call of the sea, goes down to meet the rising tides and they overcome her. Kenneth is brought to his sense of his loss by the shouts of fishermen, who come, bearing the dead form of his wife in their arms. The end of all this is problematical, whether or not the husband follows destiny across the sea to claim one who is flying from him on the bosom of the ocean, or chances to remain single and alone, steadfast to the memory of one whose life was lost in its depths, is the question that each observer can answer for himself.—Moving Picture World synopsis