An old maid vies with a beautiful young student for the affections of an elderly professor.

Young and pretty, Margery Dean, companion to Mrs. Sawyer, a wealthy lady, chances to meet Jack Drislane, a young clerk. It is raining hard; she has not an umbrella; he secures one and escorts her home. He is duly impressed when she enters a large brownstone mansion, particularly as the girl does not enlighten him as to her real social position; Later, they see each other again in passing autos and then Jack, who has been unable to forget Margery, asks permission to call, neglecting to mention, however, that he is a working man and not a wealthy idler.

In a game of cards, Stillwell, a young Southerner, incurs the hatred of Collins, an unscrupulous scoundrel. Seeing a chance for a double revenge, Collins goes to LaVinge, father of Edith, with whom Stillwell is in love, and demands payment of an old gambling debt.

A new theatrical star is born when Ivy Liversedge, daughter of Silas, an unsuccessful playwright, scores a big success in Paul Hesseltine's new play, "The Fatal Silence." Paul falls in love with Ivy. but her father exhibits an intense dislike for him at their very first meeting.

Peter is smitten with Winifred, a model, whom he met on board the steamer returning from Europe, but is discouraged by his sister, Ena, who is more ambitious for him. Peter is the son of Peter Rolls, the wealthy New Yorker. Ena tells Winifred that Peter is engaged to Eileen, sister of Lord Ravglan and that he is just trifling with her.

A young girl is reared on a desert island by natives and led to believe that she is a goddess. One day an outsider comes to the island, and persuades her to accompany him to preach about the kindness and love she has experienced. She agrees, but she's soon confronted by the problems and travails of the "outside" world.

Dr. Williams is so deeply immersed in his work he unconsciously neglects his wife. Newell Russell, a young society idler, becomes acquainted with them and Bobby, the doctor's son, takes a great fancy to him. Harmon, a former suitor of Mrs. Williams, sees an opportunity to make trouble and sends an anonymous note to the Doctor warning him to "watch his wife." This, followed by the discovery of an apparently compromising snapshot Bobby had taken, sends the Doctor in a rage. He demands an explanation from Newell at the point of an automatic, but Mrs. Williams saves the situation by proving the note was written by Harmon.

The leader of "The Sons of the Brazen Joss," one of the Tongs, or Chinese social organizations, is murdered by Moy Wong, cunning leader of The Four Grains of Rice," a Tong of higher class and bitter enemies of the "Sons." Sworn to vengeance, the "Sons" await an opportunity to get even.

Twins in all but disposition, Netty and Letty quarrel continually. Letty goes to spend a few days at a friend's cottage at a nearby summer resort. Netty also goes later. Freddy meets Netty and they are mutually attracted. They are not allowed to be together much, however, as they are always being interrupted.

Becoming imbued with a lawless spirit, Tom, a street waif of twelve, holds up an old woman with a toy pistol, robs her of a dollar and gets away. Exhibiting the money to some of his companions, the boy proceeds to give them all an ice cream treat. The feast is interrupted by the police, who nab Tom.