Smalltown girl Marie Downey becomes infatuated with New York actor Clifford Dudley when he visits her town with a road company. Although he encourages Marie's flirtation, he is astonished to learn--as she follows him to New York--that she considers herself engaged to him. Sally Short, his leading lady, tries to comfort the disillusioned girl and gets her a chorus job. When Sally overhears derogatory remarks about Dudley, she defends him, declaring she is his fiancée; as a result she becomes notorious, receives a promotion in the show, and has a success rivaling Dudley's. When her smalltown sweetheart, John, comes to the city, Marie realizes that it is John, not Dudley, she loves; and she returns home. Though received with suspicion by the townsfolk, she is accepted when she contributes money for a new church.