Having been brought up by his Uncle Clem, an itinerant peddler, Elmer Clinton has no trouble becoming the sales manager for a company that manufactures washing machines. Royce Enfield, the son of the company's president, wants his father to sell the business and therefore undermines Elmer's sales campaign. In a real effort to help Elmer, Uncle Clem obtains numerous orders for washing machines, but these are intercepted by Royce before they can be filled. Elmer is fired and, finding out the reason why, whips Royce in a fight.

A powerful financial magnate is plotted against by his greedy son.

Ned Catlin, a young Kentuckian, joins the army during World War I and is sent to France, leaving his sweetheart, June Reeves, behind him. A villainous neighbor who also covets June is drafted and returns with the false news that Ned is dead.

Sonia, a Russian dancer, comes to New York seeking her fortune. She marries Peter Derwynt, a young architect, but their marriage is not a good one. Sonia falls under the spell of a rich Broadway mogul, Jimmy Sutherland, whose wife is in love with Peter. The mix of relationships comes crashing apart when Sutherland ends up murdered.