He had not forgotten those at home at "Railton." Ralph had written a long letter to his mother, giving a full account of his Jessie—the wedding that was in prospect—and the home he hoped to have the happiness so soon of taking her to. She lost nothing from his description of her personal charms; and her character and conduct, and everything that affected her, were so graphically and faithfully delineated, that to the mother’s imagination she appeared a paragon of all the virtues. He expressed sincere and heartfelt regret that his mother and sister could not be present to take part in the celebration of what must be regarded as the event of his life. It was a source of much satisfaction to Mrs. Sinclair thus to learn of her son’s progress and happiness. But occurring so far from home, in a land to which she was an entire stranger, and under circumstances which she was only able but dimly to realise, the event which, had it happened at home, would have been a joy to anticipate and prepare for, and a more than "nine-days’ wonder" to talk about, was shorn of much of that exciting interest a mother might naturally be expected to feel at the coming marriage of her only son. Her congratulations and good wishes, with such maternal counsel as seemed to her only fitting, were at once put into a letter and posted, that it might reach him before his wedding-day should have passed. Crowley had been informed by Sinclair that he would be prepared to complete the contract entered into, and to take possession at the end of the third week; which had been assented to. It was Sinclair’s intention to spend a week or so at "Kinbrae," seeing that everything was prepared for the "home-coming," which it was contemplated should be at the end of the month. Russell had arranged to quit his shanty also, a week before, in order to help Sinclair as much as possible; and during that last week Jessie was to be the guest of Mrs. Ranger, who, woman-like, was full of excitement at the prospect. From time to time much animation prevailed at the Ranch. Silks and satins were not expected to be in evidence, but the women were busy putting little mysterious touches to dresses and hats, and adding pieces of finery when obtainable, so as to mark the occasion, which was a new experience, yet one which it would never do to allow to pass without a decent show being made. The wedding was to take place at the homestead, and a parson from the town had been arranged with to come over and "hitch-on" the couple. The day was to be observed as a holiday for the hands, and all were to be invited to the wedding-feast. Ralph and Jessie had to endure a deal of rough, but good-humoured, chaff during the intervening period.