"Hardwood" John Haynes works as a lumberjack at a camp in the northwest. He gets a letter stating an uncle has died and left him a modiste shop. Not knowing what kind of shop that is, Haynes packs up and heads to New Orleans to claim his inheritance. He discovers he now owns a women's dress shop. Rosalie Andrew, who manages the shop, is kept in charge, while Haynes keeps his ownership a secret. Haynes is befriended by Judge Meredith, who has a pretty grand-daughter named Caroline. But the Judge is in a weak financial position, so Haynes boards with him, paying him two months in advance. Haynes falls in love with Caroline. But there is a rival for Caroline, Wayne Page, whose father is very wealthy. Page has had an affair with Rosalie. Rosalie attempts suicide, rather than face her family's disgrace. This causes complications for Haynes, Page, and Caroline.Then Rosalie dies. However, Rosalie had written a letter, explaining her situation. The Judge reads it, and all ends well for Haynes and Caroline.
—scsu1975