Robert Holliday, a member of the North West Mounted Police, is betrothed to Ruth Hardy, an orphaned seminary student. On the eve of her marriage, Ruth learns from John Blakeman that he and her father had been partners in the fur smuggling business until Hardy was killed by Robert during a shootout. Shaken by this revelation, Ruth sends Robert a goodbye note and leaves with Blakeman for a trading post at Sampson's Pass.