Kate Merry, the daughter of a washerwoman, married Will Cairns, a worthless fellow. Soon she realized his bestial character, leaves him and goes to work in a department store, where she becomes acquainted with Marion Nelson, a wealthy patron and who takes Kate into her home. Meanwhile Kate's husband gets a divorce for desertion and takes up a faster life than ever. He is a good dresser and gives the impression of being of good family. One day in front of a theatre Marion Nelson is caught in a jam between automobiles and Cairns saves her. From this instant a friendship springs up between the two. Marion, not penetrating the real character of the man, falls in love with him. One day she takes him shopping with her and Kate sees them by chance. Marion has a brother who develops a fondness for Kate. Unknown to Marion, Cairns saw Kate the day they were shopping, and to protect himself, tells Marion's brother that Kate shouldn't be allowed in the house; that she is no good.