Jack Denning, a railroad telegrapher, and Molly Masters, daughter of Jim Masters, the operator at another station, who is also a telegrapher, are in love. Denning determines to branch out into a larger field, so wires Molly of his intention to go to the city and become a reporter on one of the big dailies. Three months later finds him a "cub" on one of the biggest sheets in town. The star reporter is on a spree and when word is received that the Limited is wrecked on the road upon which Denning had formerly worked, the city editor assigns the story to him. The wreck happened only a short distance from Pierce Junction, the station where Molly and her father work, and, with her reporter sweetheart's interests at heart, Molly had photographed the wreck a few moments after it occurred and had written the complete details she obtained from the conductor. The star reporter sees the city editor give Denning his instructions and when the cub lays down the written card relating to the newspaper special upon which the newspaper men are to go to the wreck, the jealousy of the man prompts him to surreptitiously change the instructions in order to make Denning miss the train. However, the ex-telegrapher's familiarity with the road's workings prompts him to try for a "beat" by catching a freight which he knows will shortly be at a certain siding. A wild automobile ride enables him to board the freight just as it leaves, but he had not reckoned on the special having right of way and is soon sidetracked for the newspaper train. He hastens into the station where he is "stalled" and finds an old friend of the wire, who gives him carte blanche with the telegraph instruments. The delighted Molly gets his call, and within a few moments is sending him the complete story, which he and his friend relays to the newspaper, thereby scoring a scoop over the other papers. Molly leaves on the first train to give Denning the films of the wreck. Sure of promotion for his "beat," Denning lifts Molly to the train and carries her off to the city. They are congratulated by the city editor and Denning receives the promotion which enables him to marry Molly.