On her way to join her father, John Folinsbee, in the gold rush town of Poverty Flat, Lily meets and falls in love with a young miner named Joe, but her beauty also captures the heart of the local gentleman gambler, Jack Hamlin. Unimpressed with the poor but hopeful miner, Lily's father takes her to Europe to introduce her to wealthier suitors, and in Paris, she is courted by the Count De Brie until he learns that schemers in California have taken control of Folinsbee's mine. In the meantime, Joe strikes it rich, only to be abducted by the villainous Sanchez and his gang. Upon Lily's arrival home, she and Jack attempt to rescue Joe, and although their efforts prove successful, Jack is mortally wounded. Dying, Jack joins the hands of the two young sweethearts.