Viennese refugee Dr. Karl Brau (Charles Coburn) and his daughter, Leni (Sigrid Gurie), arrive in North Dakota at the behest of John Phillips (John Wayne), head of the farmers' organization. Although Leni falls into depression over the stresses of their flight and the death of her fiancé, Karl insists they must aid the impoverished farmers fighting extreme weather conditions. Leni gradually grows to appreciate John and agrees to move west with him. Then word comes that her fiancé has survived.