"No, the only buildings we have now are merely four-room frame buildings for the men on the place, and we have fixed up one of them for our home until we build a larger and better house down near the spring. There isn't a particle of swamp about it; but there is plenty of good solid earth all around it. Of course, we can cut a splendid road from the depot down to it. We will build stables and all the necessary out-houses down there, too, and will fence it in, so that the cattle cannot annoy the residents of the place. There isn't a passenger depot built yet, and passenger trains don't even stop there, unless they are flagged by the freight agent." The road passed through several patches of timber and wide stretches of prairie land presenting scenery that Evelyn loved and admired very much. The splendid team made the trip in a little over two hours, a distance of twenty miles. "You see that big building going up out there?" said Terry, pointing to Jack's new home. "Yes." "Well, that is the new house that Jack is building for his mother and his wife. It has a dozen large rooms in it." "Well, what in the world does he want with such a big house away out here?" Evelyn asked. "Well, it is the first house he ever owned, and he says he wants it roomy enough for his wife's and mother's friends to come down and stay as long as they please, as it will cost him nothing to board them. I guess that Fred and I will build a house just as big as that." "Terry, you and Fred must not indulge in any such extravagance." "Sister, don't you know that comfort is not extravagance?" The driver had never been out there before, so he turned and asked Terry where he must stop. "Right in front of that house out there," and he pointed to the house which he and Fred had furnished for their home until a big house could be put up. Both Fred and Jack were on the lookout for them. Evelyn saw them waving their hats and she waved her parasol in return. They reached the house about the time that the carriage did, and of course, as Fred lifted her out of the carriage he caught Evelyn in his arms and kissed her several times. Jack seized her hand and kissed it, saying: "Heavens, Miss Evelyn, but I am glad to see you way down here." "Thank you, Jack," said Evelyn. Then she turned and glanced around at the wild prairies on either side of the railroad track. "Evelyn," said Fred, "come in and see the little home we have fixed up for you," and he led her up on the little piazza and into the two rooms that had been furnished up for her. Of course, she recognized the carpet, because she had chosen it herself up in Crabtree, and also every piece of furniture. "Oh, my, how beautiful!" she exclaimed. "But how out of place such furniture in a ranch house! I dare say there is not another so beautifully furnished as this is in the State of Texas." "No," said Fred, "nor is there another house in all Texas with such a beautiful mistress to reign over it."