Gilbert Brockhurst, an Englishman living in America, has an American wife and a six-year-old son named Robert. His wife inherits a ranch in Arizona. A short time later, Brockhurst is informed that his cousin has died, and that he is now the Earl of Somerfield. He deserts his wife and goes to England. When his wife dies on the ranch, Brockhurst remarries and has a son named Stanley, who is regarded as his heir, but he's a spendthrift. When Brockhurst is sent to America on a diplomatic mission, he takes Stanley with him and threatens to leave him in America unless he reforms. Meanwhile, Brockhurst's older son has taken the name Robert McKeever and taken over the ranch. McKeever finds Stanley in a gambling house, pays off his debt, and takes him to his ranch. He then fears that his half-brother is winning the affection of Ruth, the local schoolteacher. McKeever eventually tells Ruth she can go to Stanley, but she tells him that she really loves him. Brockhurst offers to make McKeever his heir, but instead, McKeever sends Stanley, who has reformed, back to England.