Sheriff Johnson "grub stakes" Whitridge in a gold prospecting proposition and puts up the money necessary, with the understanding that should the expedition be a success the profits would he divided equally. Soon after Whitridge's departure the sheriff is shot and mortally wounded in rounding up a gang of desperate bandits. His dying act is to turn over the grubstake agreement to his little son, Jack, that he might derive the profits. Jack is adopted by the doctor, but soon runs away and becomes a cowboy. Whitridge makes a rich strike, but hearing of the sheriff's death decides to ignore the grubstake. Fifteen years later finds Jack foreman of a ranch. Whitridge, having made a sufficient fortune, has just purchased the ranch west of that on which Jack is employed and settles down with his wife and daughter, Ethel, a girl of seventeen. She soon meets Jack in a romantic way, for he proves himself a hero when his horse runs away. Ethel introduces Jack to her father, who, though he does not recognize Jack, is not favorable to the match. But lovers are not to be outdone and their meetings continue in clandestine. Soon after, Jack goes over his dead father's papers, and discovers the agreement with Whitridge, which he decides to present to the father to further his suit. While Jack is employed, however, Whitridge accidentally comes across his coat, finds the agreement, and learns Jack's identity. Taking a further dislike he tears the papers up. In doing this he is perceived by Ethel, who gathers the small pieces, realizes the truth, and hurries to give them to Jack. Together they go to Whitridge and ask permission to marry only to be sternly refused. Then they confront him with the agreement. Whitridge is nonplussed, but Jack, perceiving his discomfiture, lights a match and smilingly offers to burn the agreement up in return for his daughter and his blessing. Whitridge agrees and all are happy.