Having struck it rich, two prospectors return to town, where one of them is to be married while the other will serve as best man. But on the eve of the wedding, the best man turns out to be the worst of the two, and elopes with the bride-to-be. Though heartbroken, the jilted bridegroom shrugs philosophically and returns to gold-mining. Several years later, the wife dies, and her husband becomes a high-rolling gambler.

Orphaned after the death of their mother, Nancy Grimm and her baby sister Ellen are taken to the country where Ellen is adopted by the wealthy Walsh family. Nancy keenly feels the loss of her sister, and when the judge rules that she cannot visit Ellen without permission, she throws herself onto a bench, winning the sympathy of young attorney Chester Noble. Nancy is then placed in the Wick's home where she is treated as a servant. Miserable, Nancy cuts off her hair and, dressed as a boy, runs away.

The choir practices and the quartette, driven to desperation by the frequent false notes played by the near-sighted organist, complain. He leaves in a huff. The minister tells them that his daughter will be on hand next Sunday and will play for them. Mary arrives. She is introduced to the quartette who, during the week days, sow seeds and plow. The minister is writing a sermon when the deacon enters and demands the payment of the mortgage on the church. He is insistent, but promises to wait upon meeting Mary, when his heart melts at the sight of her loveliness.

Jim Black, learning that his rival, David Durard, son of Colonel Durard, wealthy Southern wholesale grocers, has won the heart of Marion, plans to separate the lovers before war breaks out.

Colonel Crewe, in charge of a fort near the Mexican border, receives word that some Chinese are about to be smuggled across the line. He details Lieutenant Hurd to attend to the matter. Hurd, with a few soldiers, succeeds in capturing the Chinese, among whom is a Christianized girl, Moon Chew. She falls in love with Hurd.

An old Indian legend tells of the supposed ability of persons who have been turned into wolves through magic power to assume human form at will for purposes of vengeance. This film is presumed lost.

Bain is in love with Alice, the niece of his employer Mr Borrow. However, Alice is already happily engaged to Clifford. When his boss dies Bain starts working for his brother William Borrow. When Bain sees Alice again jealousy drives him to plan Clifford's murder. He pays Cochise, an Indian, to do the dirty work, but Cochise kills William Borrow instead of Clifford. Clifford is suspected of the murder and will be hanged. However, Cochise confesses his crime when he is rescued from drowning by Alice. Clifford can be released on time.

Jim Neal, the proprietor of the "Halfway Saloon," located between Tucson and Gold Creek. A local minister discovers Jim selling alcohol to the Indians and asks him to stop. Jim refuses, telling the minister to mind his own business. The minister then appeals to Jim's wife, Mrs. Neal, pointing out that the saloon is an unfit environment for their young daughter. Realizing the truth in the minister's words, Mrs. Neal decides to take their daughter and leave the area to visit her sister in a distant settlement. Tragically, while enroute, Mrs. Neal and her daughter are attacked by a group of the same Indians who had been incited by the "firewater" sold to them by Jim Neal, demonstrating the consequences of his actions.

Pretty country girl Hazel Dorn sings in her church choir when she sees a newspaper advertisement for chorus girls placed by theatrical manager John Hern. Despite her mother's pleas, she leaves home for the city. Hern has personal reasons for hiring the young girl and intends to lure her to her ruin. However, another, older girl, Fannie Rice, who has already been a victim of Hern, contrives to save Hazel.