Belle of Alaska

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In 1899, Kansas farmer Wade Harkin and his wife Ruth pull up stakes and head for the Alaskan gold fields to make their fortune. When they reach Seattle, Washington, Wade tells Ruth to meet him aboard their ship going north, but when she arrives, she is unable to find him because he is involved in a private poker game. As the boat pulls out of the harbor, Ruth jumps into the bay and returns to town. Securing a waitressing job at a waterfront cafe, she meets a gambler and dancehall owner named "Lucky" Vail and his "lady friend," dancer "Chicago Belle." Lucky likes Ruth and acts as her protector, but she ignores his attentions. One night, a menacing man named Dugan follows her home, and Ruth shoots him. Fearing a murder charge, she escapes the city by stowing away on a boat to Alaska. Also on board is Chicago Belle, traveling to Nome to entertain at one of Lucky's dancehalls. However, a storm wrecks the ship at sea. Belle drowns, and Ruth takes her identity. Living alone in Nome, Ruth has Wade's baby and works at the dancehall. When Lucky comes looking for Belle, he is surprised to discover Ruth in her place, but realizes he loves her. Soon afterward, Ruth's husband, Wade Harkin, arrives in town to see Belle's show, and is surprised to find Ruth instead. Lucky and Wade fight in the street for her, but during the fisticuffs, an anonymous bystander shoots and kills Wade. Badly beaten, Lucky staggers into Ruth's open arms.