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Although the "star system" was discouraged at Edison studios, actress Viola Dana managed to rise to fame under the Edison banner -- thanks in no small part to her favorite director (and her husband!) John H. Collins. In The Innocence of Ruth, Dana plays the title character, who upon the death of her father is placed under the guardianship of bachelor and man-about-town Mr. Carter (Edward Earle). For the next five reels, Carter dedicates himself to the attempted deflowering of the wide-eyed Ruth. By and by, however, her sweet ingenuousness deflects him from his mission -- so much so that he rescues her from being seduced by another libidinous bachelor. Just like her spiritual sister Doris Day, Ruth uses her virginity as a weapon with which to conquer the man of her dreams.