In a small railroad town out West, there lives an engineer of many years' experience; Jim Brake is his name. He lives in a little cottage, occupied by his daughter, Kate, his son. Will, and himself. One summer's day, two strangers, out for the sport of hunting, meet Kate, and ask her the way to the nearest road inn. Upon receiving answer, they pass on. Somewhat abashed, Kate hurries to the railroad junction, where she meets her father and brother. They are met by the same two hunters. Upon being introduced, with village-bred hospitality, old Brake invites them into his little home. Now, John Hugh, our city hunter, of unstable character, easily succeeds in winning the affections of Kate. This in no wise pleases her father, yet she steadfastly clings to the man who seems to be her all on earth. Shortly after her avowal of love there occurs a railroad accident, wherein her father is fatally injured and her brother is crippled for life. She is summoned to the scene of the mishap, and together with the man she thinks worthy of her love, accompanies the two injured ones to her home. Just about a month later, Kate and Will, as beneficiaries under their father's insurance policy, receive a check for five thousand dollars. Cognizant of this, Hugh urges them to invest this amount in shares of the Claymore Mining Stock. Now, Hugh's object in securing this money becomes apparent, that of winning the heart and hand of Ann Kelps, the daughter of a wealthy Chicago merchant. His infatuation for the engineer's daughter no longer exists. The money in his possession, and determining to sever all association with Kate, he writes the following letter: "My Dear Kate: It grieves me to inform you that the Claymore mining investment was a failure, and your money, as well as mine, has been swallowed up. As I am left penniless, I cannot support a wife. Our engagement must terminate. Forgive and forget me. John." Overcome with this unexpected and disastrous state of affairs Kate determines to seek a position for the subsistence of the two. Apprising her brother of this, she sets out on the same quest that so many have sought for and failed to attain. Let us follow her in her search for employment, and we will see that eventually she secures a position as maid to a wealthy old lady from the east at the very home where John Hugh is wooing Ann Kelps. Kate sees and recognizes him. After a time, he meets her and attempts to make some satisfactory explanation. In that he fails and is filially denounced by her to Mr. Kelps, his wife and daughter. Knowing that the game has gone against him, Hugh finds himself in a decidedly unenviable plight. Old Kelps offers him the alternative of restoring the money of Kate and her brother, or serving the thief's penance in jail. He surrenders the money to Kate, who joyfully hastens to her home.