Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1905-08-26
CHAPTER XIV.

| L, VINO wanted an incident, nave nau
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-Nor, and we
We're 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
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 annourlc-
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
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 Ghangir, who
had been the object of a 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
| should be proud to see the ilustrious
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 Holmes Holme
| will have twenty-five per cent of the
profits of our partnership"
Fifteen" said Ephrinell, "only ff-
teen"
THAT is not fair, for 1 agree to thirty
per cent from Strong, Bulbul & Co"
We'll, let us say twenty per cent Miss
Bluett."
''Be it so, Mr. Ephrinell."
All is arranged. Tn, interests of the
two houses have been sareguarded. 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 a little lift of his
shoulder.
For life-like two bulfnches," said
the actress, who had not forgotten that
these birds are noted for fidelity.
'In China" said Pan Chao, "it is not
the bullfnch, but the mandarin duck
that symbolizes fidelity in marriage"
Ducks or bullfnches, it is all one,'
said Caterna philosophically.
The ceremony is over. We comnli
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 ar,
only two more married people.
Faruskiar no longer disdains to mingl,
In our conversation. He is a charmin.
man, we'll informed and witty, will
whom | shall become better acquainted
when we reach Pekin. While the trail
is running at full speed. we talk of on,
thing and another. With regard t,
Kachgaria, which had been mentioned
e Faruskiar gave us 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 on
against Chinese covetousness, had no
yet submitted TO Russian domination
r Many times numbers of Celestials hat
been massacred in the revolts of tn
Q Turkestan chiefs, and the garrison ha,
O taken refuge in the fortress of Yanghi
, HIssar.
f Among these insurgent chiefs Their
Y was one, a certain Ouali-Khan-Toulla
f who for a time had become master o
kachgaria. He was man of grea
:. intelligence, but of uncommon ftrocity
g And Faruskiar told us an anecdote. Civ
h ing us an idea of these pitiless Orien
p tails.
, There was at Kachgar," he said
n IAN armorer of repute, who, wishing I
d secure the favors Of Quail Khan-Toulls
& made a costly sword. When he had fiji
e isned his work, he sent his son, a bo
of ten, to present the sword, hoping I
It receive some recompense from the roya
y hand. He received 1t. The Khan ad
Il mired the sword, and asked If the blad
Is was of the first quality. 'Yesr said tn
y boy. Then approach" said the Khan
and at one blow he smote off the heaC
$ which he sent back to the father wit
ID the price of the blade he had thus prove
As to be Of excellent quality"
ae The day passed without incident TIL
10 train kept on at its moderate speed {