Mr. Clarke, a thorough businessman, quarrels with his son Tom because of his indifference to commercial affairs. Tom resolves to go ranching in the West. He gets into bad company and is at a pretty low ebb. Ranch owner George Fowler, who has taken a fancy to him, tells him to brace up and he will give him a position. Meanwhile, Tom's sister Kate is engaged to Jim Seaton, who is ordered to go West for a trip because his health is not good. Though sorry to part from him, Kate hopes that he will get trace of Tom, from whom she hasn't heard for over a year. In spite of his promises, Tom goes back to his old habits and Fowler is forced to discharge him. Jim Seaton is an old friend of Fowler's, and is going to visit his ranch. Jim meets Tom without knowing him, and Fowler tells him something of Tom's story, without mentioning names. Loafing around the hotel bar, Tom sees the large wad of bills Jim displays in paying a bill. While riding around the ranch a few days later, Jim feels faint and stops to rest while Fowler rides on to attend to some business. While half-dazed, Jim is attacked and robbed by Tom. On Fowler's return the sheriff is told of the robbery, and his men are put on Tom's track. When captured and brought face-to-face with Jim, he learns Tom's name for the first time, and for Kate's sake, Jim denies that Tom is the man who robbed him. He tells Tom who he is and makes him swear to reform. Tom does so and this time keeps his oath. Two years later, when Kate and Jim are happily married, Tom returns to them, a changed and prosperous man.