Don "Smiler" Ward, a ranger, is about to marry Mary Alden when Eddie Loring, son of a wealthy lumber king, tricks her into marrying him, then deserts her. Smiler trails Loring to his office, then is arrested for attempted murder and sent to prison. Mary has a child that, upon reaching a knowing age, asks about his father. Mary goes to Loring's home, seeking to be recognized as his wife. That same night, Loring is killed--but by a French Canadian whose girl Loring had wronged. Smiler, now out of prison, with his sweetheart cleared of Loring's murder, at long last has reason to smile.
—AFI