The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1905-07-22
CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.
l, who wanted an incident, have had
one to perfection. | am thankful enough
not to have been one of the victims. l
have emerged from the fray safe and
sound.
Our itinerary lay eastward toward
Kara Nor, skirting the base OF the Nan
Chan mountains, behind which lies the
region of Tsaidam. The railway dare
not venture among the mountainous
countries of the Kou-Kou-Nor, and we
were on our way to the great city OF
Ian Tcheou along the base of the hills.
Gloomy though the country might be,
there was no reason for the passengers
to be 80. This glorious sun, with its
rays gliding the sands of the Cobb as far
as we could see. announced perfect
holiday. From Lob-Nor to Kara Nor
there are three hundred and fifty kilo-
meters to run, and between the lakes
we will resume the interrupted marriag
of Fulk Ephrinell and HOratia Bluett,
if nothing occurs to again delay their
happiness. The dining car has been
again arranged for the ceremony, the
witnesses are ready to resume their
parts, and the happy pair cannot well be
otherwise than of the same mind.
The Rev. Nathaniel Morse, in announc-
ing that the marriage will take place at
8 o'clock, presents the compliments OF
Mr.. Ephrinell and Miss Bluett.
A little before o'clock the bell of
the tender begins to ring. Be assured
it does not announce an accident. Its
joyous tinkling calls us to the dining car,
and we march in procession toward the
place of sacrifice.
Ephrinell and Miss Bluett are already
seated at the little table in front of
places around him. On the platform are
grouped the spectators anxious to lose
nothing of the nuptial ceremony.
My Lord Faruskiar and Ghangir, who
had been the object of personal invi-
tation, had just arrived. The assembly
respectfully rises to receive them. They
will sign the deed of marriage. It is a
great honor, and if it were my marriage
1 should be proud to see the illustrious
name of Faruskiar figure among the sig
natures of the deed.
The ceremony begins, and this time
the Rev. Nathaniel Morse was able to
finish his speech, so regrettably interrupt
ed on the former occasion.
The young people rise, and the clergy
man asks them if they are mutually
agreed as to marriage Before replying,
Miss Bluett turns to Ephrinell, and says:
1T is understood that Holiness olme
will have twenty-five per cent of the
profits of our partnership"
Fifteen" said Ephrinell, "only if
teen"
''That is not fair, for agree to thirty
per cent from Strong, Bulbul & Co..
"Well, let us say twenty per cent, Miss
Bluett"
"Be it so, Mr.. Ephrinell"
All is arranged. The interests of the
two houses have been safeguarded. The
deed is then signed, first by them, then
by the witnesses, then by Faruskiar, and
the other signatures follow. At length
the clergyman adds his. name and flour
malities according to rule.
'"There they are, riveted for life," said
the actor to me, with little lift of his
shoulder.
"For life-like two bullfnches," said
the actress, who had not forgotten that
these birds are noted for fidelity.
''In China" said Pan Chao, cit is not
the bullfnch, but the mandarin duck,
that symbolizes fidelity in marriage"
Ducks or bull6nches, it is all one,''
said Caterna philosophically.
The ceremony is over. We compli-
ment the newly married pair. We return
to our occupation. Ephrinell to his ac-
counts, Mrs. Ephrinell to her work. Moth
ing is changed in the train. There are
only two more married people.
Faruskiar no longer disdains to mingle
in our conversation. He is charming
man, well informed and witty, with
whom l shall become better acquainted
when we reach Pekin. While the train
is running at full speed, we talk of one
thing and another. With regard to
| Kachgaria, which had been mentioned.
| Faruskiar gave us a few very interest
ing details regarding the province, which
had been so greatly troubled by insur-
rectionary movements. 1t was at this
epoch that the capital, holding out
| against Chinese covetousness, had not
yet submitted to Russian domination.
| Many times numbers of Celestials had
been massacred in the revolts of the
| Turkestan chiefs, and the garrison had
| taken refuge in the fortress of Yanghi-
Hlssar.
Among these insurgent chiefs there
was one, a certain Ouali-Khan-Toulla
who for a time had become master Of
| kachgaria. He was a man of great
intelligence, but of uncommon ferocity.
And Faruskiar told us an anecdote, Civ
ing us an idea Of these pitiless Orien-
| tails.
| There was at Kachgar," he said,
IAN armorer of repute, who, wishing to
secure the favors Of Ouali-Khan-To
| made costly sword. When he had I'm
isned his work, he sent his son, q boy
Of ten, to present the sword, hoping to
receive some recompense from the royal
hand. He received 1t. The Khan ad-
mtred the sword, and asked If the blade
was OF the first quality. 'Yesr said the
boy. Then approach! said the Khan,
and at one blow no smote on the head,
which he sent back to the father with
| the price Of the blade he had thus proved
to b Of sxcsllsnt quality"
| The day paused without incident. The
train kept on at Ito moderate speed Of