Scotsman Sandy MacTavish, living in the small California village of Redwoods, betrothes his baby Madelon, as is the village custom, to wealthy Lot Gordon. When Madelon grows up and falls in love with Lot's cousin Burr, Sandy's sense of honor will not let him release her. After Madelon learns of Burr's betrothal to Dorothy Fair, the village flirt, she stalks out of a dance into the woods, where Lot tries to kiss her. Not knowing who he is, Madelon stabs Lot, and Burr, without Madelon's approval, takes the blame for the crime. When Madelon's pleas for Burr incite the townspeople, she convinces Lot to write a statement absolving his cousin of the crime in return for her hand in marriage when he recovers. After she stops Burr's lynching at the last moment, Madelon is freed from her obligation to Lot when a redwood falls on him just before their wedding night, leaving her and Burr free to marry.
—AFI