Dr. Roland White falls in love with Marguerite, the daughter of the postmaster in a small western town. He asks her to marry him, but she refuses, as she is already engaged to Fred Church, the express messenger. Some time later, after the proposal, the doctor receives an invitation to the wedding of Church and Marguerite, which shatters what little hope he had of ever winning the girl. A few days before the marriage is to take place. Church is held up and shot by bandits, and taken, in a serious condition, to Dr. White's home. The doctor knows that Church is absolutely at his mercy and that the least negligence on his part will result in the death of the man. For a moment he is tempted, but his sense of duty and honor finally prevails and by a slight operation he saves the life of his rival, for the girl he loves.