A resourceful young girl struggles to free herself from slum life.

Jennie Cushing, born from the wrong side of the tracks, must fight and claw for her existence. During one of her street battles, Jennie is hauled into court and remanded to a reformatory until she reaches eighteen. Upon her release, Jennie goes to the city and studies hairdressing, finally emerging as a full-fledged lady's maid. While attending her mistress, who is having her portrait painted by noted artist Donelson Meigs, Jennie falls in love with the painter. He asks her to marry him, but Jennie, fearing her reputation could ruin his career, refuses. Instead, she agrees to live with Meigs, but when her past is brought to light, she runs away. Meigs spends two years searching for Jennie, and when he finally finds her, again asks for her hand in marriage. After at first refusing, Jennie reconsiders and all ends happily with the reunion of the two lovers.—Pamela Short