Plot

Jean and Pierre are Canadian trappers, but also in league with moonshiners in the north woods, and carry illicit whiskey concealed in their loads of furs. In Jean's cabin there is a hiding place for the jugs until the regular weekly trip to the trading post with furs, when they are transferred to a secluded hut, a step further on to the settlements. Pierre is in love with Marie Dupree, the daughter of his partner, Jean. Marie is a capricious coquette, really in love with Paul Marr, a member of the mounted police, though she torments him without mercy. She has only contempt for the trapper, Pierre. When Marie meets Hugo Sinclaire, a recruit in the police, she forgets the more quiet Paul, and imagines herself deeply in love with the newly-met officer. Her father discovers her secret meetings with Hugo, and forbids her to see him. Hugo has only been amusing himself with Marie, and openly boasts of his conquest in the guard room of the post. Paul comes to the girl's defense, and only the interference of others prevents serious trouble. When Marie fails to meet Hugo as usual he goes to her father's cabin and surprises Jean in the act of concealing the jugs of illicit whiskey. He attempts to capture Jean, and in the struggle the trapper is injured, and as he is falling to the floor he fires at Hugo. From the inner room where she has been made a prisoner by her father Marie hears the shot and tries frantically to release herself. Hugo goes to her assistance, but as he reaches the door he is shot and killed by Pierre, who has crept to the window and has taken the opportunity to rid himself of his rival. When Jean regains consciousness he finds the body of Hugo and imagines himself to be the murderer. In terror he drags the body to the road, and then returns to sink before the shrine of the Virgin in prayer. Hugo's body is found by the police, who, remembering Paul's quarrel with the dead man, accuse him and cause his arrest. Marie learns of Paul's peril and hurries to Father John, a priest, for advice. Under his urging, Jean confesses the crime, and Paul is liberated. Pierre, returning alone with a cargo of skins and whiskey, is set upon by a party of half-breed renegades and badly wounded. He is brought into the post by the police, just as Jean is being led away. Dying. Pierre confesses to Father John that it was he who killed Hugo and that Jean is innocent. That evening Jean kneels before the shrine with the priest, promising to give up his connection with the moonshiners. In the moonlit woods. Paul takes Marie in his arms.