CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR.
ANOTHER STORY BEGINS This chapter is very much like a preface: it is not absolutely necessary, although many persons will read it and a few will be glad that it was written.
The story itself is ended.

To go on would be to begin another story; to tell of the building up of the Quirt outfit, with Lone and Lone's savings playing a very important part, and with Brit a semi-invalided, retired stockman who smoked his pipe and told the young couple what they should do and how they should do it.
Frank he mourned for and seldom mentioned.

The Sawtooth, under the management of a greatly chastened young Bob Warfield, was slowly winning its way back to the respect of its neighbors.
For certain personal reasons there was no real neighborliness between the Quirt and the Sawtooth.

There could not be, so long as Brit's memory remained clear, and Bob was every day reminded of the crimes his father had paid a man to commit.

Moreover, Southerners are jealous of their women,--it is their especial prerogative.