A movie actress, mistakenly thinking she has killed a fellow actor, goes on the run and finds herself taken in by a Kentucky mountain family.

Cynthia Meade, an ambitious young film actress who seeks advancement through Jack Harrison, flees a movie location in Tennessee when Jack is shot by an accidental pistol discharge, knowing she will be unable to prove her innocence of the act. Wade Murrell, a Kentucky mountaineer, finds her lying in the road and agrees to help her across the state border into Kentucky; she accepts his protection, and he takes her to his home. Lesher Skidmore, leader of a clan opposed to the Murrells, promotes strife against Murrell by announcing the arrival of a "painted woman," but Wade protects her against his enemies. Sensing Wade's growing love, Cynthia decides to leave just as Harrison arrives. He befriends Wade, then saves his life in a feuding clash. Jack asks the girl to return and marry him; Wade accedes; but at the last minute Cynthia decides in favor of Wade.—AFI