Werner Baumann, a widower, looks for his rebellious run-away son, Otto. The trail leads him from Germany to St. Louis, Missouri and then to Dakota Territory. Along the way, he is helped by a newspaper man and is captivated by his niece, the spirited Elizabeth Frank. But their paths separate as Werner's adventurous search takes him into the far wilderness and lonely Elizabeth, hearing he perished, marries and they join her ambitious father starting a cattle ranch. However, Werner unexpectedly returns and their secret entangled love engulfs them all in a struggle between loyalty and passion. With a rich backdrop of the area's historical events, their hardy pioneer life mixes with the issues of infidelity, guilt and family responsibility until a surprising resolution emerges.