A mother's heart always goes out to her wayward son. Jim Barton caused his mother constant worry, and one night his father caught him in the act of tampering with the family strong box. Jim is severely admonished and that night runs away, leaving a note to his mother to the effect that he will never return. The parents are broken-hearted, but are consoled by their other son, who is a good, honest lad. Years later we see Jim's brother, now sheriff, searching, for two outlaws, who are terrorizing the whole countryside by their daring deeds. The outlaws inhabit an abandoned hut, hidden from sight by shrubbery. Jim saves a young girl from the insults of his partner, which causes enmity between the two outlaws. Desiring revenge, Jim's pal informs the sheriff of his whereabouts. Face to face with the fact that the outlaw is his long-lost brother, the sheriff is about to let him escape, but Jim will not allow him to sacrifice himself, and ends his own life just as the posse break in the door.