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.

Polly Biggs helps care for her younger brother and sisters, while her widowed mother works hard as a seamstress to earn a living. Mayor Hoadley, Mrs. Biggs' brother, a crooked politician, calls to sympathize with her on the death of her husband, and Polly takes a dislike to him.