An American family

In seventeenth-century Massachusetts, Samuel Roberts is accused of witchcraft when he announces his plans to marry the Revered Rockmore's daughter against her father's wishes.

Olive Dunford, a young woman of strong opinions, firmly believes America should intervene in what she sees as the mistreatment of the people of Cuba at the hands of Spain, and does not hesitate to share her views in her newspaper column, but she is shocked to discover the effect of her words in her own family.

Miles Pryce, determined to collect a debt from his cousin Jefferson Dunford, provokes a family tragedy when he puts money before compassion.