That he may not have to care for the daughter of his deceased son, Jim Beadles, a wealthy bachelor and ranchman, signs a five-year contract with a neighbor, Joan Roach, for her services. But great is the surprise of all when she arrives, a little tot, and, unable to break the contract, Mr. and Mrs. Roach take the child. One day, a month or so after, Beadles is taken down with the gout, and the minister tells the Roach family of his neighbor’s condition. They give him scant sympathy, but little Mildred’s heart is touched and she does many kind acts for the afflicted man, thereby ingratiating herself into his good graces. She likes to stay with Beadles, and a dramatic scene takes place when Roach calls Beadle’s attention to the contract. Mildred, however, manages to make secret calls upon Beadles. Bud Sloan, whose father won his bride away from Beadles, and Mildred become friends. These men have several scraps, and Mildred scolds her grandfather. Old Beadles’ heart is so far touched by Mildred’s good nature that he buys her a new hat and writes her to come for it. But before she arrives he is attacked by the band of Wiggings, an Indian tenant of his, evicted on account of being in arrears in his rent, and is brought to the village in an unconscious condition. In the meantime, Mildred comes to the house and, finding an Indian arrow and horse tracks, she goes to Bud Sloan with her suspicions. Bud informs the ranch hands and they go to the Indian village and fight the redmen. They are in a serious position when the troops come up and turn the tide. During the battle Beadles is hit by a bullet, and just before he dies, writes a will, leaving all to Mildred.