The sheriff lives with his sister, and is engaged in running down an unknown bandit who has been quite active in the district. It develops that Jim Brown, a poor miner, who has lost his wife and is in straitened circumstances, has become embittered at the world and is the bandit, living alone with his little boy, Tom.

On a warm and sunny summer's day, a mother and father take their young daughter Dollie on a riverside outing.

A writer, Rolin, takes up residence at the deserted Holly House, once the home of the disgraced Lord Sylvester. Lady Sylvester returns, ill, with a companion, Stephanie, whom everyone, including Rolin, believes to be her daughter. Rolin falls for Stephanie and completes his novel under this assumption. Lord Sylvester reappears, briefly embracing Stephanie as his child, but casts her out when she confesses she is only a companion. Undeterred, Rolin declares his love and vows to always see her as "my Lady Stephanie."