Possessed

Marian Martin, a factory girl in Erie, becomes restless after glimpsing wealthy passengers on a passing train. The sight awakens her desire for independence and a life beyond her working-class town. This moment sets Marian on a quest to escape her limited social world.

On a train that stops in Erie, Marian meets Wally Stuart, a wealthy New Yorker. He offers her champagne and gives her his address, inviting her to contact him if she visits New York. The encounter plants the first seed of Marian's plan to reach the city’s social circles.

When Marian returns home intoxicated, she tells Al and her mother about her drinking by the railroad. Al spots the torn paper with Wally's address in her hand, grabs it and tears it into pieces, scolding her for behaving improperly. He insists she belongs with him and must give up chasing a brighter future.

Marian pastes the torn paper back together and leaves for New York City. In the metropolis, she visits Wally, who provides advice on meeting and keeping wealthy men. She begins to plan a life among the city’s social elite.

Using Wally's guidance, Marian enters a relationship with Mark Whitney, a wealthy divorced attorney. She becomes his mistress and undergoes a complete makeover, gaining access to his cultured social circle. Three years pass as they maintain the arrangement.

To conceal her status, Mark presents Marian as Mrs. Moreland, a wealthy divorcée living on alimony. She enjoys the comforts of his world, while the relationship remains kept secret from the public eye. This ruse protects Mark's public image while keeping Marian in luxury.

Al returns to the city, now a prosperous cement businessman, hoping to land a major contract. He sees Marian again and proposes marriage, but she refuses. His visit introduces a potential conflict as both vie for influence and financial advantage.

Unaware of Marian and Mark's true relationship, Al hopes that by aligning with Mark he can win the cement contract and boost his business.

Mark Whitney enters a gubernatorial race, and friends warn that Marian's affair could derail his campaign. He grapples with how the secret relationship might threaten his political future. The tension mounts as opponents scrutinize Marian's past.

To support his bid, Marian tells Mark that she no longer loves him and plans to marry Al instead. She then confides the truth to Al, who initially refuses to marry her because of the scandal, realizing it could jeopardize his ambitions.

A political rival uncovers Marian's true identity and plans to reveal it at a rally, threatening Mark's candidacy. Paper shards bearing 'Who is Mrs. Moreland?' fall from the auditorium ceiling, casting doubt on the couple. Mark grows anxious as the crowd senses a scandal in the air.

Marian emerges from the audience and proclaims that she is Mrs. Moreland, insisting that Mark has always been honorable and that their bond now belongs to them. The crowd cheers as she leaves, sobbing but resolute.

Outside the rally, Mark reassures Marian that they will be together and formalizes their commitment with a marriage proposal. The public scandal is set aside as they choose to pursue a legitimate future together.