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Bryce Cardigan, son of northwestern pioneer lumber baron John Cardigan, returns home after several years of travel.  Shirley Pennington, daughter of a rival lumber baron, arrives on the same train and meets Bryce.

At home, Bryce finds his father blind and the business in danger.  Because Pennington denies their company the use of the local railway line, Bryce decides to build his own railroad, borrows money to finance it, and hires a buddy, Buck, to build it.

Buck gets the city council, controlled by Pennington, to grant a franchise; he then faces the problem of secretly crossing the Pennington line.  Pennington, discovering the plans, assembles his men for battle.  But Shirley, siding against her father, warns Bryce of the impending attack.

After a bitter struggle, Pennington's forces are routed and the crossing is made.  John Cardigan gives Bryce and Shirley, who have fallen in love, his blessing and tells them to carry on the work he began.