Hester Bevins, tiring of the humdrum existence of salesclerk in a small town department store and deaf to the proposal of bookkeeper Gerald Smith, flees to New York City with Al Bloom, a traveling salesman.  There she travels the primrose path to luxury under the "protection" of Charles Wheeler; and though she renews her acquaintance with Gerald, she refuses his proposal because of her present situation.

When Gerald loses his eyesight and suffers lung injury in the war, Hester goes to see him; and realizing she owes him something, she persuades Wheeler to agree to her marrying Gerald before he dies.  Unexpectedly, she finds happiness and peace in the relationship.  After Gerald's death, she decides to leave Wheeler and return to work.