Grant Smith and Lydia Reynolds fell in love at a young age and their "tender flame" continued to burn. As Grant approached graduation from West Point he asked Lydia to marry him. Wedding preparations were underway when President Polk suddenly announced that war with Mexico was inevitable -- duty called and Grant was sent to Mexico. Lydia was grief stricken when she was told that Grant was wounded in battle and believed dead. After 2 years Grant escapes from a Mexican prison and returns home. He finds that Lydia has remarried and is now living in the Northwest. Many years pass until they meet again, both now widowed and realize that the "tender flame" has never gone out. Grant and Lydia come to realize that "As for God, His way is perfect."