Fred, an actor, broken down in health, has come to the west, where he has fallen in love with Edythe. a simple country girl, the daughter of the sheriff. She tells Fred his suit is hopeless, and that she feels she has been ordained for a great stage career. Fred knows that her singing ambition can never be realized, and furthermore she never will be contented until she has had her fling at the stage. Her father, the sheriff, is trusted with a considerable sum of money for safekeeping by his friend, the ranchman. Edythe pleads to be sent to New York to begin her career, but her father tells her that finances can not permit of it. Edythe’s birthday comes, and in her diary her father reads she is expecting that, for her birthday present, he will send her east. He recalls the money entrusted with him, and finally gives it to Edythe, telling her she can go. But Fred, disguised as a theatrical manager, has formed a little scheme of his own. He gives Edythe a hearing, and then informs her he is willing to risk sending her to New York and supplies her with the necessary money. Edyth returns the ranchman’s money to her father, and soon leaves. A month goes by, and Edythe returns. Her father informs her of Fred’s great sacrifice, and she hurries to offer belated thanks, but she arrives too late, and Edythe bitterly realizes at what cost has been “Her Higher Ambition.”