Orphan Hilda Swanson's prayers are answered when a Swedish-American colonization company agrees to send her to America. Aboard the steamer, she meets Olaf, a young Swede, and Donna, an enemy courier who is posing as a passenger. Learning that the secret service is on her trail, Donna sews secret documents into the hem of Hilda's skirt. She then sends a wire to her comrade Felix Martinez, notifying him to intercept the Swedish girl. Hilda and Olaf innocently evade Martinez and are sent West by representatives of the colonization company. Missing their train at a stopover in cattle country, they are taken in by Larry O'Keefe, a big-hearted rancher. Martinez finally tracks them down and arranges to have Hilda kidnapped by some Mexican cattle thieves who take the girl to their hut, only to discover that she no longer possesses the papers but has given them to O'Keefe. Hilda escapes and meets Larry who has been searching for her. Meanwhile, Donna, unaware that she is being trailed by secret service agents, arrives at the O'Keefe ranch. The agents arrest both Martinez and Donna, and as Hilda hands over the papers, the agents assure the Swedish girl that she has done a great service for her new country. Larry then offers to marry Hilda, thus making her an official American citizen.
Hilda Swanson, an orphan, bound out to a life on a Swedish farm, but ever dreaming of America, spends much of her time studying English. A traveling agent for a Swedish-American colonization company comes to the farmhouse, and Hilda leaves. In a foreign country, a woman is sent to America with important papers, her future depending upon their safe delivery. She embarks on the same steamer as Hilda, and soon receives a wireless that the Secret Service is aware of her mission and awaits her arrival. Hilda has become acquainted with a young Swede named Olaf, and while the two young people are dancing on the steerage deck Donna, the secret agent, notices them. That night when all are sleeping, Donna goes to Hilda's bunk, and ripping a part of the hem of the girl's skirt, places the papers in it and resews the hem. She sends a wireless to Felix Martinez, importer of wines and international plots, telling him to watch out for a Swedish girl with a Belgian hare in a cage. The steamer lands in New York and Martinez is at the dock waiting for Hilda, whom he follows when she boards a train with others under the direction of the agent of the colonization company. At a small station on the desert, Hilda and Olaf get off the train to get grass for her rabbit. The rabbit cage is broken, and the rabbit runs away, Hilda and Olaf after it. Martinez comes from the station just in time to catch the train. Hilda and Olaf look up from their chase to see the train rapidly deserting them. Meantime, Larry O'Keefe, a cattle owner, and his mother are having trouble with their Chinese cook, Hong Foo, who complains of having to wash dishes. Larry starts out to hunt for a dishwasher, and comes upon Hilda and Olaf on the desert. Hilda explains 'how they were left. He takes them back to the ranch. Hilda thinks him the most wonderful man in the world, while Olaf works in the yard and is the butt of all the cowboys' pranks. Martinez becomes aware of the disappearance of Hilda when the conductor discovers that two passengers have been left behind. He returns to the station, but is informed that nothing has been seen of the boy and girl. Some days later Larry arrives at the station to in- form the agent of Hilda's and Olaf's whereabouts. Martinez is sent for, and accompanies Larry to the ranch. Hilda refuses to leave the ranch. One night she rips the hem of her skirt to make it longer and discovers the hidden papers. She gives them to Larry, who throws them carelessly into a drawer. Martinez arranges with some Mexican cattle thieves to kidnap Hilda. Donna has arrived on the scene. She is unaware that two Secret Service men have followed her. When they get Hilda to the hut, they find that the papers are at the ranch house. Martinez determines to raid the house. Hilda escapes from the hut and rides away. Larry hears of Hilda's kidnapping, and he and the cowboys start out to search for her. They meet her. A fight takes place between the cowboys and the Mexicans, several of whom are killed. The Secret Service men arrive to take Martinez. Hilda gives them the papers and they assure her that she has done a great service to her new country. Taking Hilda in his arms, Larry tells her that he will make an American citizen of her.
