Virginia Weatherford returns home after leaving the Western town of Sulfur Springs ten years earlier. She is shocked to discover that her mother, who operates a hotel with a rough clientele, has become as hardened as her tenants. Virginia soon falls in love with Ross Cavanagh, a forest ranger who reconciles her to her new life. However, Ross runs afoul of cattle baron Sam Gregg, who resents the new government tax on cattle grazed on public land. Sam orders his men to persuade Ross, by whatever means necessary, to ignore the tax. After Pinkie, a waiter at the hotel, overhears Sam planning an attack on the ranger, Virginia comes to Ross's aid, along with a wanted criminal who confides in the ranger that he is Virginia's father. Sam is defeated in the ensuing battle, which also leaves Virginia's father dead. Ross returns to the East, taking Virginia and her mother with him, but continues to keep the dead man's secret.
—AFI