Hoss comes across a blind girl named Gabrielle who was recently orphaned when her parents died in an overturned wagon. When he brings her back to the Ponderosa, the Cartwright's set out to find her a loving home, but she has her sights set to go live with her grandfather: an old hermit who wants nothing to do with her or anyone else.

The woman that Hoss is smitten with turns down his marriage proposal when a stranger in town sweet talks her with the promise of excitement and adventure. However, Hoss soon discovers that the man is only after her money and is asked by her father to go save her after she runs away with the new man.