Ruth and Helen board a steamer bound for Virginia, where they plan to meet their friend, Nettie Parsons, and her aunt, Mrs. Rachel Parsons, and continue their journey to Mrs. Parsons' plantation in the South. Soon after the boat departs, Ruth reads a letter from Mrs. Smith, the lady with whom they boarded after their dormitory burned, who explains that her grandson, Curly, has disappeared, and the police are after him. Ruth and Helen are concerned; while mischievous, Curly would never commit a crime.

A short while later, a police boat docks with the steamer and several police officers board the boat, looking for Curly. They are unable to find him, but Ruth and Helen later spot a boy on deck whom they believe may be Curly. The girls are unable to speak to the boy before he disappears.

After the girls debark from the boat, they join Nettie and Mrs. Parsons and are charmed by the ways of the South. At Mrs. Parsons' plantation, the girls spot Curly working in the cotton fields. Curly runs away when he sees Ruth and Helen, and the girls worry about him. The girls finally meet up with Curly after a tragic flood and fire and hope that they can somehow help Curly resolve his legal problems.