Charles Reeves, Mayor of Bartow, lives with his daughter, Reeva, who loves and is loved by Charles Moore, a prosperous young man of the vicinity. When Charles is placing the engagement ring on Reeva's finger and asking her father's consent to their marriage, Mr. Reeves tells them why he cannot freely consent to their marriage. Twenty-five years ago, he tells them, when he was a young college student, he returned home for a summer vacation. He arrived in the little western village on the night that the young folks were holding their annual lawn dance. Accompanied by a friend, he went to the dance to renew old acquaintances. He met Elizabeth Willis, whom he greatly admired, and who thought favorably of him. Elizabeth accepted him for her partner for the next dance. During the evening young Cactus Moore, so called because of his reckless living, was imbibing with his roistering companions at the village saloon. On the way to the ranch where they were employed they happened to think of the dance and decided to attend. Arriving there, Cactus finds the young college student dancing with and showing marked attentions to Elizabeth. This young Cactus resents, and after heaping insult after insult upon young Reeves and being unsuccessful in provoking a quarrel, he vents his spite upon others. Reeves offers himself to Elizabeth as her escort. Their friendship ripens into love, he courts her and they are married. Cactus, in his rough way, loves Elizabeth and cannot become reconciled to the jilt. He marries, however, and to him a son, Charles, is born. Twenty-five years have elapsed, but Cactus has sworn undying hatred for the man whom he believes tricked him out of Elizabeth's affection. After telling the story to the young couple Mr. Reeves reminds Reeva that since her mother is dead she must decide for herself and follow the dictates of her own woman's heart in regard to her love for Charles. Some time later Cactus, now old and bent, is brought face to face with his real self when he appears unforbidden at the marriage feast of Charles and Reeva. His iron will, his temper and his deep-rooted hatred are broken by the sweet, gentle nature of his new daughter, Reeva.
—Moving Picture World synopsis
