Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-07-24
CHAPTER XXIV.

| I, who wanted an incident. have had
one to perfection. l am thankful enough
not to have been one of the victims.
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 so. This glorious sun, with its
rays gliding the sands of the Cobb as far
as we could see. announced a 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 marriage
of Fulk Ephrinell and Horatia Bluett,
if nothing occurs to again delay their
happiness. The dining car has been
witnesses are ready to resume their
parts, and the happy pair cannot we'll be
otherwise than of the same mind.
/
ing that the marriage will take place at
8 o'clock, presents the compliments of
Mr.. Ephrinell and Miss Bluett.
A little before 8 o'clock the bell of
the tender begins to ring. Be assured
it does not announce an accident. Its
joyous tinklng 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
the worthy clergyman. and we take our
places around him. On the platform are
grouped the spectators anxious to lose
nothing of the nuptial ceremony.
My Lord Faruskiar and Changer, 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. 1t is a
great honor, and if it were my marriage
l 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 Ephrinel, and says:
ut is understood that Holmes Holme
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
ish, and then closes the series of for.
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, sit is not
the bullhnch, but the mandarin duck
that symboizes fidelity in marriage"
Ducks or bullfinches. it is all one
said Catcrna philosophicaly.
The ceremony is over. We compli
ment the newly married pair We return
to onr 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,
f'aruskiar no longer disdains to mingle
in our conversation. He is a charmine
nan. we'll informed and witty. will
whom | shall become better acquainted
W hen we reach Pekin. While the trai1
is running at full speed, we talk Of on,
thing and another. With regard t
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 thi
epoch that the capital, holding GU
against Chinese Covetousness, had no
yet submitted to Russian domination
Many times numbers of Celestials hat
been massacred in the revoits of tn,
Iurkestan chiefs, and the garrison hat
taken refuge in the fortress of Yaugbi
HIssar.
Among these insurgent chiefs Their,
|
who for a time had become master O.
Kachgaria. He was man of grea
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 t,
secure the favors of Ouali-Khan- Toulla
made costly sword. When he had fin
isned his work. he sent his son. DO!
of ten. to present the sword. hoping t
receive some recompense from the roya
hand. He received it. The Khan ad
mired the sword, and asked IL the blad,
was of the first quality. Yes" said thu
boy. Then approach" said the Khan
and at one blow he smote off the head
which he sent back to the father will
the price of the blade he had thus PROVED
to be Of excellent quality"
The day passed without incident. Tn
train kept on at it, moderate speed O