Jean Chesney, from childhood, acted as a little mother to her sisters and brothers while their mother earned a scanty living at the wash-tubs. Death claimed all but Jean and two younger sisters. Rita secures a position as stenographer while Lilly, the youngest, clerks at the ribbon counter in a department store. Jean is an extra girl at one of theaters; her work leaves the two younger girls alone in the evenings, and it is during these hours that Rita confides to Lilly that her employer, Henry Leslie, has made advances to her. Both girls are thrilled at the romantic turn of affairs, never dreaming of serious consequences. Jean attracts the attention of Henry Leslie’s son, Bob, on one of his visits behind the scenes of the theater. Under the influence of liquor he forces his attention upon Jean and she slaps his face. This does not daunt him, for he believes all girls can be won with a few flowers. Jean’s perversity has only added fuel to the flame. Jean scorns his gifts and flowers. About this time the hardships of the department store grind tells on Lilly. One day she faints in the store, is taken home and does not return to work again. Rita continues her flirtation with her employer, Leslie, and finally an automobile trip to his country home is planned. Rita is innocently delighted over the trip, for Leslie, in a fatherly way, has made many promises of all he will do for the sisters, especially Lilly, whom Rita idolizes. Rita tells Lilly of the proposed trip, learning of Lilly s poor health and Jean’s struggle to keep her sisters strong, both physically and morally, the kindly actors make up a purse and present it to Jean. At last the eventful day of Rita’s trip to the country arrives. She goes to work as usual. Jean has a matinee, but makes Lilly comfortable tor the few hours she must be absent. Bob Leslie’s usual gift of flowers awaits her. Angered by his persistence, she tosses the violets out of the box. The girls sharing her room decorate themselves with Bob’s offering of love. Seeing them thus adorned, Bob realizes that at last he has met the exceptional girl. His admiration deepens into something better and stronger. He is hastily summoned home. His mother has had a serious heart attack. His father must be reached at once but various ‘phone calls fail to locate him. Bob goes out to find him. Jean is surprised when she fails to find Rita at home. She questions Lilly, who at first evades her queries, but finally enlightens Jean as to Rita’s plans for the afternoon. Jean realizing Leslie’s true object, hastily dons hat and coat and determines to find Rita and save her if possible. Meanwhile, failing to find his father at his business or the clubs, Bob decides he must have gone down to the country. He starts tor their country home. Leslie’s manner remained paternal until after supper was served and Rita began to ask if they had not better start homeward. Then Leslie’s true motive becomes apparent, for, inflamed with wine, he does not mince matters. Poor Rita is disillusioned. She struggles pitifully to protect herself. Her strength at last fails her and as she shrinks from his approach, the door swings open and Jean comes down between them. He laughs at her tirade and declares she is even more charming than her sister Bob enters at this moment and is dumbfounded to find his father in the company of the two girls. He glances from Jean to the supper table with its overturned wine glasses and his ideal is suddenly smashed. Bob tells his father his serious news, which sobers Leslie, and they hurriedly leave. On their arrival at home they hear that Mr. Leslie has passed away. Rita finds it difficult to obtain another position, so now Jean’s earnings supply their needs. Bob Leslie, heartbroken at his mother’s sudden death, drinks heavily to drown his sorrow. One night when in a drunken stupor he hails a taxi. The chauffeur and his confederate, a crook, taking advantage of Bob’s condition, beat and rob him. Driving down a narrow dark street, they drag him while he is in an unconscious condition to a doorway and then hurry away. Jean, returning from the theater, stumbles over the body on entering her home. With Rita’s assistance they help him upstairs. “When the blood and dirt is washed from his face, Jean recognizes Bob. For a moment, recalling his father’s conduct towards Rita, she decides to turn him out, but her better nature conquers and she lets him remain. The next day he is sufficiently recovered to return home but he lingers in hopes of seeing Jean who since his return to consciousness has remained aloof. He questions Rita and the girl, attracted to him, tells him bitterly of the hard struggle a girl has in a big city, her experience as an example. He is overjoyed on learning the part Jean played on that terrible night and that she is the good girl he at first thought her. He pours out his heart to Rita, telling her of his love for Jean. Jean’s sudden entrance puts an end to their exchange of confidence. Rita beats a hasty retreat. Bob beseeches Jean to forgive his rudeness to her and to overlook his father’s treatment of Rita. At last he gains a smile from her and her hand is held out in token of forgiveness.