Clark goes out West to visit his daughter and son-in-law; during his visit, Willie and Missie's infant daughter Kathy dies. Land baron and mayor Doros hires Willie as town sheriff, since grief-stricken Missie has quit her job as schoolteacher and the LaHayes need the money. Doros uses Willie as sheriff to try to evict ranchers that have fallen behind on payments. Missie helps one family by selling most of her most prized possessions, including the gold locket her mother gave her.