Helen Steele, who has theatrical aspirations, has been told by Sidney Parker that, owing to her lack of stage experience he cannot entertain her proposition of giving her the leading part in his new production, "The Siren." Believing that she can get Parker to consent if she is persuasive enough, Helen has her fiancé, Henry Tracey, invite the theatrical manager to the party to be given by John W. Cannell so that she may work upon him. At the affair Helen manages to obtain Parker's consent to give her a trial it she is successful in having Jack Craigen, a friend of Cannell, who has been living in Patagonia for a long time and who is a woman hater, propose to her.

George Cross, a junior partner in the advertising agency of Nigh and Cross, goes to his office one evening to get a plate for a newspaper and surprises Allan Nigh, his partner's son, who has been distributing a leaflet exposing the lies of the advertising firm. Rosie, a member of the "Truth Society" to which Allan belongs, is hiding in the next room. George sends Allan to the newspaper office and then discovers Rosie. Shortly thereafter, Nigh and his daughter Ann, who is also Allan's sweetheart, arrive and George lies his way out of a compromising situation. Soon after, a detective arrives to investigate a front-page exposé on the circulars that Allan has written. When the advertisers realize that the exposé is actually the best campaign ever conceived, the supposed detective offers Allan a tremendous salary to write ads for him, Rosie reveals herself as a reporter from the Journal and Allan and Ann reconcile.

Buddy Roosevelt, a notorious bandit known as the "Phantom," and his doppelgänger, drifter Jeff McCloud. Bull manages to throw suspicion on Jeff but is himself killed by Jim Breed (John Junior).

Jonathan Jinks, a man known for his charm, gets into a bet about seducing opera star Aurelia Trentoni, leading to a series of comical misunderstandings and a secret engagement before a happy resolution.

Margaret Fowler is a daughter of the city. Her mother, mean and avaricious, ground down to poverty, is willing to sacrifice her daughter's happiness and love for wealth and position. The girl longs for the beautiful things of life. Prompted by her own mother's pleadings, she turns her back on love.