Esther Lee, a western girl, attending a college in the east, becomes engaged to Harold Shaw, a young collegian. She goes home to spend her vacation on the ranch, and arrives just after the election which has made her father the county sheriff. Sheriff Lee is a great coward, and shudders with misgivings at the thought of the dangerous work ahead of him, because the country is infested by outlaws. He receives word that "Cross-eyed" Steve, a noted outlaw, has held up a stage and escaped into the mountains. The sheriff determines to make a bluff at going after his man, but makes it a point to not catch up with him. In the meantime Harold becomes lonely in the city and decides to surprise Esther by visiting her ranch home. Esther is glad to see him. She tells Harold of her father's quest in search of Steve. Harold and Esther run into the outlaw and capture him. The sheriff is notified, comes and gets the prisoner and receives the credit for his capture. Esther and Harold promise secrecy if he permits them to marry.