Broncho Billy, sheriff of Cheyenne County, in love with Marguerite Clayton, is accepted by her. Marguerite's father approves of the engagement. Little did Broncho Billy know the father of the girl he is going to marry is a notorious outlaw. After holding up a stage one day, Clayton is pursued by the sheriff and his posse. The chase ends by Clayton being shot, and crawling on his hands and knees, he reaches his home. The sheriff trails him by the blood tracks. Clayton dies, leaving a confession in full, with the sheriff. Broncho Billy realizes that if Marguerite is told about the life her father had led, it would break her heart, so he burns the confession in the stove. Broncho Billy takes Marguerite into his arms and claims her for his own, and promises himself that she will never know the terrible truth.