Dan Felton, a ranchman, has a wife and little four-year-old boy, Bobbie, who is the pride of the community, especially of Jim Watson, the Sheriff. Watson calls one day and takes Bobbie back to his office on the broncho. A few moments later Felton is taken ill, is put to bed by Mrs. Felton, and dies from the effect of a sun-stroke and weak heart. Bill Lewis, a cowboy on the ranch, is sent to summon the Sheriff. Little Bobbie is playing "sheriff," when Watson takes him in his arms and tells him his daddy is dead. A few months pass and Lewis proves himself a scoundrel by trying to force Mrs. Felton into marrying him. She strikes him in the face and takes refuge in the ranch house. Lewis forces an entrance that night, but is met at gun's point by the brave woman, who forces him into a store-room and locks the door. Meanwhile, Bobbie runs off down the trail in search of some of the boys and is picked up by a bunch returning from a dance.