<p>Maryanne had been raised by her aunt, somewhat reclusively. Without any male suitors even knowing about her, let alone showing any interest, she decides to offer herself as a mail-order bride. <br/> <br/>Thomas is a successful businessman on the other side of the country, who up to now has had no inclination to get married. He now feels the need, however, and contacts a mail-order bridal agency. Upon receiving details of Maryanne from the agency, he writes to her and makes an offer of marriage. <br/> <br/>Maryanne finds Thomas's letters dull and devoid of any spark, but at the urging of her aunt, decides to accept his offer anyway. <br/> <br/>She boards the train to travel to San Francisco to join him, on which she meets a couple who happen to know Thomas. She extracts from them, more by omission than anything else, the fact that Thomas really is rather staid. <br/> <br/>Into the mix is thrown a soldier, Peter, who arrives in Marya