Bessie, a girl of the slums, is left an orphan. Her father was a drunkard and during one of his periods of intoxication he killed his wife and then, in trying to escape, was himself killed. Bessie is left destitute, so she is invited by a couple of youngsters to come and keep house for them. The two boys earn enough money selling papers to keep up the little establishment and Bessie does the housework. One day as she is playing in the street she is run over by an auto belonging to Mrs. Latham, a society lady. She is sorry for the girl and comes to see her at the hospital where she is taken. On leaving the hospital Bessie goes to see the wealthy widow, who procures her a position at a modiste's shop. A couple of months later Bessie goes to a cheap dance hall with a friend and there she is noticed by Abrams, a theatrical agent. He offers her a job as a cabaret dancer and she accepts. While dancing in the cabaret she is noticed by Shirley Martin, a wealthy clubman. He takes an interest in her and says that he will make her a great dancer. He introduces her to a manager and all arrangements are made for the Broadway production. Shirley expects a price for his favors but he is chagrined to find that Bessie is incorruptible. Bessie's debut as a dancer is a success. Mrs. Latham, who has designs on Shirley's money, is jealous of the attentions he is paying the little dancer. She plans to so compromise her that his love will be cured. Accordingly she invites the two of them on a week-end trip to the country and then, at the last minute, does not go herself. When the two young people arrive at the hotel, they find rooms engaged for Mr. and Mrs. Shirley Martin. When Bessie confesses that she loves him he tries to force his attentions on her, but she repulses him. Then Shirley realizes that he has acted like a cad and when he asks her to marry him the next day she agrees. Meanwhile, Mrs. Latham has written a note to old man Martin saying that Bessie is trying to ruin his son's life and that if he does not want a scandal he had better go at once to the hotel where they are registered as man and wife. Martin hurries down and finds them there the next day. He accuses Bessie of having designs on Shirley and forbids the marriage. So the girl, thinking that perhaps after all, the marriage would not be for the best, agrees to go away. When Shirley finds out what his father has done he is furious, and says that he will not come home until his father consents to the marriage. But he cannot find Bessie, as she has left without giving anyone her address except old Martin. But at the Martin house things are going badly. The mother has become ill and the only thing that will save her life, the doctor thinks, is a reunion with her boy. So Mr. Martin hunts up Shirley at the club and persuades him to come home for the sake of his mother, and then he goes to find the girl. Of course the two are reunited and agree to have the long-delayed marriage take place at once.