Marjorie Benton Cooke

Cecelia Carne, dubbed "the little 'fraid lady" because she shuns society, seeks the solitude of the forest in order to perfect her talents as a painter. By chance one day, Cecelia wanders into the estate of Judge Peter Carteret where she meets Saxton Graves, who is assisting the judge in decorating his house. Recognizing her talent, Saxton hires Cecelia and soon falls in love with the artist.

Struggling Greenwich Village artist Jerry, marries studio helper, Jane Judd, who is an aspiring playwright, knowing that she will not interfere with his work. She takes part in a pageant for which Jerry designs the costumes and attracts the attention of Christiansen, a young playwright with whom she works secretly on a play. After the birth of their child, Jerry and Jane become closer, but he is violently jealous of her accompanying Christiansen to the successful opening of his play and offers her a divorce. However, the illness of their child brings them back together.

Princeton Hadley feels obligated to pay alimony to Judith, the widow of his deceased friend Billy Westover, due to favors Billy had done for him in the past, even though the law doesn't require it. Billy had lost his fortune and was recently divorced from Judith before his untimely death in an accident. Princeton later meets Judith, unaware of her identity, and falls in love with her.

A couple endure 365 days of marriage in order to inherit money.