Henry Grayson, a bank teller, and Briggs, an artist, are both in love with Julia Mills, a society girl. Julia eventually marries Briggs and they go to Europe. Henry, having a longing for a child, adopts Frances, an orphan of nine years. Later Henry becomes president of the bank and finds complete happiness with Frances, who has reached the age of eighteen, and visualizes her as the possible mother of his child. He, however, through timidity of nature, delays a proposal. Frances, during frequent week-ends at the home of her friend, Jean Hardy, falls in love with Jean's brother Ed. At a dance Ed receives news that through his uncle's will, he is to take charge of the latter's factory at Chicago, the town in which Frances lives. He immediately proposes and the girl accepts him, but refuses to marry him until he has made good in the management of the business left him. For the time being they agree to say nothing of their tentative engagement. In the meantime, Henry has gone secretly ahead with plans for a little cottage on an estate known as Rainbow Hill, resolving to propose to Frances when it is finished. Affairs go badly with Ed. The workmen are dissatisfied, creditors begin to press their claims and reports of bankruptcy creep into circulation. Ed can see his way clear with a loan from the bank, and Frances decides to ask the favor of Henry. He has just come from Rainbow Hill. The cottage is completed, and it is now time to propose. He enters the room and finds Frances. Slowly at first he explains how long he has sought the happiness of wedlock and fatherhood and his great love for her. Half-stunned, she tells him of her promise to marry Ed Hardy, and of her intention to ask for the loan that will save him from bankruptcy. Henry is astounded. Frances exits upstairs, miserable. Confronted by the sight of Ed's photo on the table, all of the bitterness in Henry's nature surges to the surface. In his anger the opportunity to deny Ed assistance seems like a god-send. Next morning Ed, hard-pressed by creditors, comes to Henry for assistance. Frances is to wed his rival on condition that he is not a failure. He refuses flatly to make the loan, but the appealing face of Frances appears before him. Is he to destroy the happiness of two people and financially ruin one of them? He calls Ed back and makes the loan. Next day Henry takes home a photograph of the little house on Rainbow Hill and tells the newly engaged couple that it is to be his wedding present. Not twenty-four hours after, Henry receives a caller at the bank in the person of Julia. Her husband died in Europe and she has returned to America to place her bank account with Henry. Their tales of the past unfold the great desire of their future, and soon there is a double wedding at the little church.