During the
Gold Rush, Angel is a coveted prostitute in Pair-a-Dice. She survives through hatred and self-loathing. Farmer Michael Hosea, after praying for a wife, falls in
love with Angel at first sight. The brothel's bodyguard MacGowen and the madam Duchess frequently abuse Angel. In flashbacks, her name is Sarah and men always abused her. Upon meeting her father Alex Stafford, he declared she should never have been born, as her mother Mae was his
mistress. He cuts off support, so Mae sells everything, then pawn broker John gives her money for sex, making her a prostitute. Eventually she falls ill and dies. Distraught, Sarah rejects her mother's faith. John sells her to
pimp Duke, who renames her "Angel", then has him killed. Years later, the teenaged Angel lets Alex have sex with her as punishment. Upon finding out, he commits
suicide. Prostitute Sally, who helps Angel escape from Duke, later is killed. Angel travels to California to start over, but is immediately robbed. Penniless, she returns to prostitution. In the present, Michael enters Angel's room, declaring he wants to marry her. Although surprised, she remains aloof. His frequent visits motivate Angel to demand her money from Duchess to leave. Not wanting to lose her, she insists she owes her money. MacGowen then nearly kills her. Rushing to the brothel, Michael sees Angel's wounds, pays off her debt and proposes again. She accepts, so he takes her home. Michael nurses Angel back to health, despite her coldness. He continually surprises her, declaring he loves her as his wife, yet will not lay with her. Afraid to trust him, she soon runs away, but Michael coaxes her back. As Angel and Michael begin their life on the farm, she develops feelings for him, so they finally consummate their marriage. Michael's late sister Tess's widower Paul arrives, immediately distrusting Angel. She flees upon realizing Michael wants children, as she believes a forced abortion made her sterile. Paul gives Angel a ride for sex. Complying, she vomits afterwards. Back in Pair-A-Dice, Angel returns to the brothel to collect her money. However, MacGowan burned it down with Duchess inside, then an angry mob killed him. With no money nor place to live, Angel reluctantly prostitutes herself through a bar. She gratefully returns home upon Michael's arrival. Michael and Angel's relationship blossoms, based on honesty and affection. Angel falls in love with Michael completely, genuinely wanting to stay. They help a woman in labor, then take in her whole family. Believing the oldest daughter Miriam is much better suited for Michael, as she is not barren, Angel makes love to Michael one last time, then disappears the next day. She leaves Miriam her wedding ring with a note, asking her to take care of Michael. He decides not to chase after Angel, as she has free will and feels she must return on her own. Now able to cook, Angel gets a job at a cafe rather than returning to prostitution. However, on her first day, the hotel is burnt down by the recently arrived Duke. He forces Angel back into prostitution to spare her boss's life. However, discovering he still forces young girls into prostitution, Angel confronts him. Duke silences her upon threat of death. Duke places Angel on his new establishment's stage. With regained faith, she reveals to all Duke's trafficking of young girls. Denying the allegations, he attempts to murder Angel, but an African-American man subdues him so she can free the girls. An outraged mob
lynches Duke. Afterward, Angel dedicates herself to helping rehabilitate young girls. Three years later, Paul finds Angel running a school for girls. She assumes Michael has married Miriam, but Paul reveals he hasn't. She accuses him of coming between Michael and Miriam, but he insists there was never any interest between them, as Michael is waiting for Angel. Paul tearfully apologizes, but she has long forgiven him. Angel returns home, finally revealing to Michael that her name is Sarah. She never told anyone before, as it was the only thing she had which no one could take from her. Michael welcomes her home with a tender embrace, returning her wedding ring. Years later, he and a pregnant Angel are shown fishing with their young son. == Cast ==