Nan Perrine, a shop girl in the S. and X. Department Store, of which Irwin is the manager, is unjustly accused of stealing a ring which has been placed in the pocket of her coat by Jenny, another employee of the store. Kirby is the prosecuting attorney of the town and his wife, Violet, is in love with Irwin. Nan declares her innocence. Kirby, who was a friend of Nan's father, thinks she is innocent, but Irwin insists that she is guilty. Kirby agrees to take her as maid for his wife and hold up the indictment for a time. Violet is having a flirtation with Barrett when Nan is taken into the house. Kirby gets a letter warning him of his wife's flirtations. At a party in the evening Nan sees Barrett and Violet go to the piazza and Kirby discovers them. He expostulates with her, and when she answers indignantly he shows her the letter he has received. Nan, after they disappear, finds that she is standing on the note which Kirby has dropped and reads the line, "A scandal would ruin him.