Farm girl Hattie dreams of a day when she will be delivered from the drudgery of the farm work foisted on her by her foster parents. Her friend Millie, who has experienced city life, returns to town and teaches Hattie the ways of the city.

Farm girl Hattie Pugmire dreams of a day when she will be delivered from the drudgery of the farm work foisted on her by her foster parents, Joe and Cora Pugmire. Her friend, Millie Applegate, who has experienced city life, returns to town and educates Hattie in the ways of the city. One day, wealthy young politician James Pomeroy rescues Hattie after she has fallen into a creek, and she gives him a kiss to thank him. Joe sees the kiss, and the beating he gives Hattie when she returns convinces her to leave home. James offers to put her up for the night, and although their relationship is completely innocent, James's housekeeper thinks it is scandalous and informs Joe, who immediately confronts James. Believing Hattie to responsible for the gossip, James insults her, and she is so offended that she sues him for fifty thousand dollars for breach of promise. Hattie wins the lawsuit and subsequently ruins James's reputation, which causes him to take to drink. In time, Hattie regrets her actions, however, and confesses her story to the district attorney in order to clear James's name. At this point, Hattie and James discover they are in love, and although Hattie is convicted of perjury and sentenced to one year in prison, James promises to wait for her.