Growing up in a poor working-class family, Laura Murdock decides not to marry the boy next door and instead accepts wealthy, older William Brockton's invitation to move in with him. After falling in love with young up-and-coming newsman Jack Madison she leaves Will to wait for Jack's return from a long assignment. She runs out of money and becomes desperate, returning to Will who, upon learning of Jack's sudden arrival, tells Laura she must inform Jack of her living situation or he will.