Lumber magnate Elihu Bennett seeks a monopoly in California's redwoods, clashing with mountain families like the Simpsons, who own valuable timber land. His daughter Ruth Bennett, educated and independent, disguises herself as a stenographer to spy on Stocker, her father's unscrupulous partner, and discovers his fraudulent schemes. She falls for Jerry Simpson, a lawyer and leader of the mountain folk, learning of Stocker's plot to steal their land and destroy ancient trees, including a beloved sequoia. After Stocker assaults Ruth, Jerry saves her, and Stocker dies in a reckless escape down a water flume. Elihu Bennett, realizing the truth, agrees to let the Simpsons keep their land, and Ruth and Jerry's love story culminates.
