The Desert's Crucible

Corinne Grant, a wealthy society girl, is forced, upon the physical and financial break-down of her father, to choose her future path in life. Her Chinese cook, Wong, offers to read her future in the sands, and the rest of each episode shows what would happen if she decided upon the different careers open to her, coming back at the finish to the girl and the Oriental pouring over the box of shifting sand. Episode titles: 1. What the Sands Told 2. Fetters of Gold 3. At the Brink 4. Should She Become a Politician's Wife? 5. Should She Marry an Artist? 6. Should She Marry a Rancher? 7. Should She Become a Society Reporter? 8. Should She Marry a Scientist? 9. Should She Become Assistant to a Detective? 10. [unknown].

Mustang and Slim are on very friendly terms. The same may be said of their wives, and when Slim's wife warns him that it is Friday the 13th and beware of friendship, he scorns her.

Slippery Slim secures a marriage license in the hope of marrying Sophie.

Slippery Slim, the Justice of the Peace, serves a notice on Hiram Clutts, threatening to foreclose his mortgage unless Sophie marries him the next day. Hiram agrees that Sophie shall marry him as he demands. Sophie tells Mustang of this and they plan to elope that night. Mustang calls for her in his buggy, but they fail to make their escape unnoticed by Hiram. He chases them with a shotgun, but is unable to catch them before they reach Slim's office. They disguise themselves and Slim, not knowing who they are, performs the marriage ceremony.

Five of Snakeville's leading citizens are all determined to marry Sophie.

"King Spruce" is personified in John Barrett, lumber magnate of the North woods. His domineering character is shown when his daughter Elva falls in love with a school teacher, Dwight Wade. Barrett conspires with his foreman, McLeod, to entice Wade away to the lumber camps, and finally decides to accompany the gang of men himself. He starts in to eject and burn out all "skeeters" who have settled on the land without domiciliary rights. Wade has shown his fighting blood by thrashing McLeod for an act of cruelty, and he now vainly opposes Barrett from motives of humanity. From the first shack burned emerges a wild girl, Kate Arden, who sets the forest afire in revenge.

Slim receives a note from Sophie telling him that she will arrive on the five o'clock stagecoach the next morning, and for him to set his alarm clock so he will be sure to meet her. Mustang reads the note, and after Slim has gone to bed, substitutes another clock in Slim's room.

Slim calls on Sophie, but has no more than gotten comfortably settled when Mustang arrives and is given all the attention. Very shortly Hiram, Sophie's father, comes downstairs and kicks Mustang out. Mustang returns with a note telling Sophie to meet him next day when the stage coach arrives and they will run away.

Slippery Slim and his wife, Sophie, drive to town. While Sophie does her shopping Slim sneaks over to the saloon to get a few drinks. Here he meets Mustang, so the two drink together. Slim has promised his wife that he will not take a drink as long as he wears a certain ring on his finger, so takes off the ring before each drink.

Slippery Slim and Sophie are deeply in love. Slim incurs the enmity of Hiram Clutts, Sophie's father, and Mustang Pete. They swear vengeance. Mustang writes a note to Slim, signing Sophie's name, asking him to meet her in a cemetery. Slim finds a band of men waiting clad in sheets. He flees and asks Sophie to save him.

Slippery Slim receives an invitation to attend the wedding of Sophie and Mustang Pete. He is brokenhearted, and when he goes to Sophie's home to plead with her he is locked out. He leaves a note telling her that he is going to shoot himself, but he loses his nerve.

The proprietor of the O.K. hotel is advertising for a "lady" cook. Meanwhile, a Chinaman is stealing all his trade. Sophie arrives in Snakeville and applies for the position. The proprietor engages her without a moment's hesitation.

Slippery Slim and Mustang Pete get into a duel over Sophie.

A morals reformer returns from Hollywood to his small town, and shows his fellow citizens the results of his investigation.

Slim and Mustang are rivals for the affections of Sophie, the cook at the O.K. Hotel.

Sheriff Jefferson Mosby is sent to Cactus Flats, Nevada, to combat outlaws harassing local homesteaders. After discovering the town's mayor is leading the criminals, Mosby uses disguises to infiltrate the gang, capture them, and restore order with the help of residents Molly and Danny.