The daughter of a poor mountain farmer becomes pregnant by a young nobleman. Because he does not want to marry her, she commits suicide. Her brother Ferdl then wants to confront the count. A brawl ensues. Ferdl has to flee into the mountains, where he falls into a ravine and is presumed dead.
Over Waldbrunn, the romantic little village surrounded by majestic mountains, dark storm clouds brew together. Mayor Lechner is in the end with his wisdom. The railway line is shut down, the spa guests stay out, and the mountain of debt is long since higher than the highest peak. The news of the...