Her family was killed and her home destroyed during the brutal Civil War. Penniless and desperate to find a new life, 18-year-old Katina Monroe flees from Georgia to Chicago, disguised as a boy. In this great city, she finds work as "William," acting in a small theater and dreaming of writing brilliant plays that will someday bring her wealth and fame as a woman in her own name. Yet things take an unexpected turn when she encounters crusading young activist Russell Cosgrove on the street and he persuades "William" to help him create a shelter and school for the impoverished of the neighborhood.

Katina is afraid to tell Russell the truth about herself, even as they work together day after day, until her growing love and a jealous twist of fate drive her to, at last, reveal her identity. Together then, with determination and true love, Katina and Russell build a dream of new lives, new hopes, and a new city. But a sudden fire erupts and rages through Chicago, destroying everything in its wake, and the couple finds themselves racing for their lives.