Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1905-08-26
CHAPTER XIV


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 n 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 announc-
ing that the marriage will take place at
. o'clock, presents the compliments of
Mr.. Ephrinell and Miss Bluett.
\ little before 8 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 Changer. 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
great honor. and if it were my marriage
| 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:
at is understood that Holmes Holme
will have twenty-five per cent of the
profits of our partnership"
Fifteen said Ephrinell. "only fif-
teen"
THAT is not fair, for 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. The interests of the
two houses have been safeguarded. The
deed is then signed. first by them, then
by the witnesses, then by Farusklar. 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. at is not
the bullfnch, but the mandarin duck.
that symbolizes fidelity in marriage"
Ducks or bullinches, it is all one,"
said Caterna philosophically.
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 la Inc train. There are
only two more married people.
Faruskiar no longer disdains to mingle
in our conversation. He is a charming
man, we'll informed and witty, with
whom l shall become better acquainted
hen 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 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 massacfed In the revolts of the
Vurkestan 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 Khan-Toulla.
made Il costly sword. When he had fin
isned his work. he sent his son, boy
OF ten, to present the sword, hoping to
receive some recompense from the royal
hand. He received it. The Khan ad-
mired the sword, and asked if the blade
was of the first quality. Yes said the
boy. Then approach said the Khan,
and at one blow he smote off the head,
which he sent back to the father with
the price of the blade he had thus proved
to be of excellent quality"
The day passed without incident The
train kept on at its moderate speed of
forty kilometers an hour, an average
that would have been raised to eighty
had they listened to Baron Wessschnit-
zerdOrfer. The truth is that the Chinese
driver had no notion of making up the
time lost between Tchertchen and Tchar-
kalyk
The country is changing as the railway
runs south of the fortieth degree, so as
| to skirt the eastern base of the Nan
Chan mountains. The desert gradually
disappears, villages are not so few. the
density Of the population increases. In
stead of sandy flats, we get verdant
plains, and even rice fields. for the neigh
boring mountains spread their abundant
streams over these high regions of the
Celestial Empire. We do not complain
of this change after the dreariness Of the
Kara koum and the solitudes Of Cobb
Since we left the Caspian, deserts have
! succeeded deserts pxcent when crossinq