Plot

Mrs. Pitman seeks a wealthy husband for her daughter, Virginia. The first prospect, Colonel Singleton, insults Virginia and is shot by her brother. They move, assume another name, and find a new suitor, Clayborne Gordon, who changes his mind when he learns of Virginia's past. She then tells her story to poor racing-driver Cole Hawkins, whom actually she loves. He not only accepts her but reveals himself to be one of the wealthiest men in the area.—AFI

Virginia Pitman, nicknamed "White Shoulders," belongs to an aristocratic Southern family whose fortunes have been depleted. Now constantly in debt, the family have survived by sponging on acquaintances. Mrs. Lenore Pitman, Virginia's mother, decides to set her daughter up with the rich, but elderly, Colonel Singleton. She gets the Colonel to pay for her daughter's clothes, but Virginia is unaware of this. Virginia reluctantly agrees with the upcoming marriage. The family gathers to celebrate, and Virginia poses with her brother Robert Lee. But when the Colonel proposes, she turns him down. Angered by the rejection, the Colonel smears Virginia in front of a crowded room, denying the two were ever engaged, and declaring he has paid for the clothes which Virginia is wearing. Robert Lee hears this slander, and demands an apology from the Colonel at gunpoint. When the Colonel refuses, Robert kills him. Robert goes on trial, but the jury cannot agree on a verdict. Money is needed for a new trial, so once again, Mrs. Pitman looks for a rich husband for Virginia. The Pitmans begin life under a new name in a place where they are not known. Virginia is courted by Clayborne Gordon, whom Mrs. Pitman views as a great catch for her daughter. Meanwhile, Virginia has fallen for Cole Hawkins, a daredevil racing driver. Soon, Virginia's past becomes known, and Clayborne refuses to marry her. Cole, ignorant of the Pitman scandal, comes to Virginia's rescue. Judge Blakelock takes an interest in Robert Lee's case. During a moonlight drive, Virginia confesses her past history to Cole, whose love for her remains unchanged. Suddenly, the car plunges over an abandoned bridge. Badly hurt, Virginia saves Cole. Then she sees another car approaching the bridge and stops them before they suffer the same fate. By a stroke of luck, the car contains Judge Blakelock and Robert Lee, the judge having secured the young man's release. Cole reveals he is actually a millionaire. So all ends happily for Virginia, her brother, and Cole.