Jim Wayburne, a civil engineer, goes south to take charge of some railroad construction work. He boards at the home of the Marsons and falls in love with Nelly, Marson’s daughter. While the girl is impressed with Jim’s manly character, she informs him that she does not love him enough to become his wife. One day Jim’s brother, Ned, arrives for a visit. He is attracted by Nelly’s beauty and she falls in love with him at first sight. Ned suggests a secret marriage and induces the girl to visit the office of a justice, where the ceremony is performed. As the days pass Nelly asks Ned’s permission to publicly announce the marriage, and he becomes so exasperated that he flies into a passion and starts for the railroad station on horseback, leaving a curt note to Jim, asking that his belongings be forwarded. Jim has never ceased to love Nelly, and, knowing nothing of the marriage, he harbors the hope that she may change her mind. When he discovers the cowardly note he rides after his brother and discovers to his horror that Ned has been thrown from his horse and killed. Meanwhile Nelly tells her secret to her parents and they are about to close the door against her when Jim returns with the sad news. Time heals many wounds and when Jim rescues Nelly in a time of peril, she realizes that he has been destined to protect her through life.