Charlotte King struggles to bring her family back to prosperity in the terrible aftermath of the civil war. Her brother, a Confederate soldier, has returned home maimed, embittered, and addicted to drink. Her only hope is to get a good price for the farm’s last tobacco crop, enough to enable her to make a fresh start. She bravely sets off with horse and wagon to sell her tobacco to rural storekeepers. On her way she meets Ben Ascher, a quiet, determined young merchant, and Clint Devlin, a restless, flamboyant gambler and promoter. Together the three form a tobacco company offering an innovative new product: rolled cigarettes. Charlotte refuses to be tied down: she will make no commitments until the company is a success; but both men want her love, and their jealousy nearly destroys the company—even without the sabotage inflicted by their competitor, a man who hates Charlotte King and has sworn to destroy her.