Plot

Grasping, unscrupulous middle-aged rancher Wiles covets the land adjoining his own property, which belongs to the Widow Colby. Wishing to marry her, he offers her the ultimatum of marrying him or the foreclosure of her home, on which he holds a mortgage. Mrs. Colby and her son Will both dislike Wiles, and rather than see his mother marry him Will goes to the city to ask help from a wealthy cousin. Wiles observes his departure, follows, and at the stage stations drops a hint to some desperadoes that Will is carrying a large sum of money and they plan to hold him up. Kitty, a niece of Nolan the tavern-keeper, overhears this and hastens to Mrs. Colby with the information. She warns Will by letter, and on his returns he plans to outwit them. The evening of his expected arrival, the hold-up men waylay the incoming stage, but are much surprised to find the only passengers are a timid young girl and a middle-aged miner. The chagrined party allow the stage to proceed on its way. On its arrival at the tavern that evening, Kitty looks with trepidation for the arrival of Will, but sees only the miner and the girl. She is greatly puzzled, but soothes the girl and offers her the use of her own room that night. As Kitty is about to undress, she is startled by a most unladylike yell and turns to see the supposed "girl" yank off her wig and reveal the agitated countenance of Will. He secures the girl's promise to help him escape, and by means of a clever trick, the bandits are sent off on a wild-goose chase while Will gets safely away to his home. There he delivers the money lent him by their cousin, and when Wiles arrives later, he is crestfallen to receive in full the money due him. He signs a release and retreats; shortly afterwards, Will keeps his whispered promise to Kitty by calling on her, and discovers that he has found the girl of his heart.—Moving Picture World synopsis