Broke and stranded in the Big City, Paula Lee (Dorothy Dalton) willingly becomes the mistress of "love 'em and leave 'em" playboy Fielding Powell (William Conklin). In spite of himself, Powell falls in love with Paula, and just before leaving on a business trip, he promises to marry her upon his return. In the meantime, however, Paula falls in love with dedicated charity doctor D. Melfi (Thurston Hall).

Social-climbing Arnold St. Clair abandons his pregnant lover Myra to marry wealthy Adeline Stratton. Myra, looking to protect her child, marries Hugh Roland. Adeline's uncle Mark discovers Arnold's secret, and to keep him quiet, Arnold kills him.

Twin sisters Fanny and Evelyn Craig are unaware that their stepfather, Micah Parrish, is a fake spiritualist until his lack of money forces them to return home from boarding school. Evelyn eagerly assists Parrish and his even more unscrupulous partner, Esau Brand, while Fanny, disgusted, leaves home to become lawyer Bruce Taunton's secretary.