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