Madge is in love with Joe, though her love is not returned. Joe tells her that he could never think of her but as a mere friend. Madge insists. When Helen and her mother and father arrive in the village, Joe is the first to meet them. He offers to show them a place to locate. Time passes. Joe has fallen deeply in love with Helen, who also looks favorably on him. Madge, who has noticed Joe’s attachment, is jealous. She decides to get Helen out of the way. Disguising herself as an Indian, she comes upon Helen while the latter is getting water at a spring. She compels Helen to go with her. She fastens her to a tree, and then proceeds to find Joe. After again being spurned, she goes home. Evening comes on. Helen’s parents and Joe search for her, but without success. The following day, Madge, in disguise, goes to look after her prisoner. She passes Joe and a crowd of cowboys who are lingering at the village store. Joe recognizes in her footprints the same footprints that he noticed at the spring the day previous. He follows and comes upon her just as she is about to shoot Helen. He rescues Helen and sends Madge on her way. We later see Madge asking forgiveness at the altar.