Mabel a young woman living in a large mansion is courted by Tom Darrell a neighbour of the same class Meanwhile Ruth Mabels laundress is courted by the equally lowly Steve Ruth and Steve watch the wealthy couples courtship enviously Both couples marry the Darrells have a daughter and Ruth and Steve a son and daughter Tom tires of Mabel and his daughter and runs away with another woman Later Mabels little girl is stricken with diphtheria and dies despite her mothers offering the doctor all her wealth if he can cure her Meanwhile Ruth and Steves children remain healthy and their domestic happiness prevents their persisting envy of Mabels wealth from embittering them