Thea Kronborg (Elliott) is a minister's daughter in 1890s Colorado who is encouraged by local doctor Howard Archie (Howard) to pursue her musical dreams. At first, Thea travels to Chicago to study piano but her teacher (Hules) realizes that Thea's true gift is her voice. Handsome brewery heir Fred Ottenburg (Goldwyn) offers to sponsor her career but their romance is rocky and Thea must eventually make her own way. Based on the novel by Willa Cather.