Paul Devine, an unrecognized actor, and Richard Storm, a struggling playwright, are the principal characters in this romantic drama. Each loves Jane Dare, an actress and woman of unusual emotional depth. Although she respects Storm as a close friend, it is Devine she loves. A theatrical manager makes the proposition to Devine that if he will secure a sufficiently strong play he will star him in it. The actor carries the news to Storm, who has just had his latest drama rejected. Storm gives his friend the rejected play to read. Disappointed in love and discouraged in his work. Storm strolls to the waterfront to contemplate his reverses. While there he is set upon and shanghaied on a tramp steamer. Devine is carried away with Storm's play, but he cannot find the author. He is led to believe that Storm has committed suicide. Devine erases Storm's name from the title page and writes his own there in its stead. The play is produced with himself and Jane Dare in the title roles. It proves to be a success. Devine and Jane are married. Storm returns. He goes to Devine's theater and demands that credit, financial and artistic, be given him. Jane enters. Storm hides and is a witness of her love for Devine. After Jane leaves, Storm undergoes a change of mind. He tells Devine that for Jane's sake he can have the play. Storm goes away to oblivion.