Doris Lowrey, a famous novelist, in order to get material for her new novel - "Sally Scraggs, Housemaid," leaves her home of luxury and, impersonating a housemaid, seeks and secures a position as such in a typical boarding house. Her desire to discover "characters" meets with instant success. Part of her arduous duties is to wait on table, where congregate a varied assortment of boarders. Possessing a pretty face and an attractive personality, she is made the recipient of bold advances on the part of a young clerk. Frank Norcross, a poor, struggling author, gallantly protects her. Doris is astonished to discover while cleaning Frank's room, that he, too, is a novelist. His finished novel is submitted to one of the foremost publishing houses. And then comes a letter not only telling of acceptances but advancing royalties. Norcross is in a predicament on account of his shoes being worn beyond repair, and it is Doris who prevails upon him to accept as a loan one of her rings which is to be pawned for sufficient money to purchase a new pair. Elated with his unlooked for success, Norcross forgets for the moment the apparently poor girl who has been so much to him. The months slip by and Norcross is being dined and feted by the elite, while the girl, hurt by his neglect, throws aside her desire to further seek characters , and returns home where she finishes her novel, which strange to say, meets with equal success.Norcross is going over his papers, discovers a valentine that the housemaid had given him, inside also being the long forgotten pawn ticket. His neglect and ingratitude cause to burst into flame the tender sentiment of his struggling days. He searches days and days to discover her whereabouts. His "Personal" is seen in the paper by "the Girl" wherein he asks that she communicate with him. She phones him and makes an appointment.Norcross keeps the appointment and meets her, she having hunted up the old dress to make him think she occupies the same position as when he knew her. He shows his sincerity of purpose, as he returns the ring and asks for her hand. She pretend anger and dismisses him. She, meanwhile, discards the old dress, and gowned in stylish garments, hastens to his home. Her card is given to the valet, however, and sees him tear the card and refuse to see her. The valet is enjoined to remain silent: then "Sally Scraggs" steals up to Norcross, silently slips into his view the title page of her own book, and stands waiting. Dazed momentarily by the revelation of her true identity and the realization that she has come in answer to his most sincere desire, he staggers to his feet. And the time of lingering doubt ends.