Zane Grey was an American author best known for his adventure novels and pulp fiction that glamorized the Old West. Grey became one of the first millionaire authors. He would spend part of the year traveling having adventures and the rest of the year using his experiences to create his fiction. Columbine is shocked to discover that Bill Bellounds, the rancher who raised her from infancy, is not her real father. Near death, he asks Columbine to marry his son, Jack Columbine feels she must obey his wishes and marry his ne"er-do-well son, even though her heart lies with another Colorado cowboy.