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