Plot

Ruth Chalmers, head saleslady in a department store, is in love with architect Harry Edmonds. Rather than wait until Harry has made good, they decide to wed at once, and both work and save to buy a house. One evening after work they are married, and the next morning Ruth returns to work. The female employees are informed that all married women are to be discharged, so Ruth and Harry decide to keep their marriage a secret. Harry is visited by wealthy businessman Henry Allison and ordered to prepare plans for a large residence. In the course of his business with Allison, Harry meets his daughter Alice. To keep up the appearance of being single, Ruth still lives with her grandmother. Some months later, Gardner, the floorwalker, falls in love with Ruth. Harry's calls upon Ruth become less frequent, and she finds that he is paying attention to Alice. The work on Allison's house is about to start, and Harry is waiting for the final plans to be approved. Ruth calls at the office and tells Harry that their baby will soon arrive. Alice enters as Ruth leaves, and Ruth overhears Harry tell her that she is the only one he loves and that Ruth is nothing to him hut a friend. At this she is heartbroken. Finally the baby arrives, and Ruth returns to the store to make money to support herself and the child. The girls shun her, not knowing that she is married. Despite her supposed misstep, Gardner is still in love with Ruth and treats her as he always has, and Ruth realizes that she loves him, but she still doesn't tell him of her marriage to Harry, who has virtually disappeared from her life. Harry, who has not seen Ruth for some time, goes to the Allison house, which is under construction, and is injured in an accident. He is taken to a hospital, and knowing that a grave operation is confronting him, calls for Ruth, realizing at last that he loves her and not Alice. Ruth leaves the store, being summoned to the hospital, and comes to Harry's bedside. He begs her forgiveness, which she grants, telling him that she has ceased to love him. Harry's injuries proves fatal. Ruth returns to the store, where she shows that she is under great excitement over the affair. Gardner offers to walk home with her after work, and asks her to let him share her troubles. Then Ruth tells him of her marriage. Later, after the last vestige of grief has vanished, Gardner proposes to her and is accepted.—Moving Picture World synopsis