A Tale of Red Pekin

had, and I was getting very tired of not being able to run about as in the old days before we came to Pekin. It was a lovely morning, and I made up

am sorry to say, I only laughed. The sunshine seemed to intoxicate me-I revelled in it-I could no longer feel any fear; afterwards I thought I mu

ace, "Phoebe, you may depend upon it the Chinese are not nearly so black as they're painted; an

to tell your

ll him the truth to be sure-that I've g

ning. When your eyes are as if there was little im

d making her a mocking curtsey. "My eyes

gingly, "but I should like to see a bit more soberness about th

ejaculated u

she was lost in remin

ied of heart complaint, and yet I never thought to say to Larkins, 'W

. I daresay," I added, under my breath, "he was none too happy as it was," but, like all deaf

long was Mr. Larkins, and a deal happier

bright enough; there is

as wasn't kept awake all night

ing, Phoebe;

as can sleep; but, there, you

hat I was old enough to be married,"

ad been in our family for forty years, and was, therefore, privileged to be very disagreeable some

away, M

face, one of those you feel

g to see M

n me, does the Colonel

oebe saw me go, and I had to listen to lectures yards long. I hope

, his honest eyes had a look of appre

me to accompany you so far; then, when I have seen you safe in Mrs. Ross

great deal of attention; indeed, I could not have received much more had I been

u not?" he as

iently. "If it means very good, I am afraid I am

is Ci

her lovely," I cried, with enthusiasm, "and so is

d at Chen-si-the

under his breath,

tly, for I love Uncle Paul dearly,

d you know," reassuringly, "'Ill news flies apace,' so that, as you have h

walk now, but he opened the g

fe," he said, smiling. "You see what

and kissed

ghtful; come to spend a

eplied, "if Mr. Crawfor

I will be sure to acquaint the

in, Mr. Crawford

have to report myself at headqua

news?" aske

. They have been firing a lot more houses, and th

d?" asked Mrs. R

accustomed to it by t

it was easy to detect a vein of app

this pensive look added to her

we were alone, "what would

d of doing nothing and sitting in all day. I know what I should

ng seems very quiet this morning, I don't see why we shouldn't go a little way. One does get so tired, as you say, of sitting in the house. It seems strange," she added, smiling, "the park being such an excitement to

r never will forbid me anything, because he say

" smiling. "At any rate you are true; and,

for love's sake; I love father, and so I would no

ip which exists between the renewed soul and the Father? I shall never forget that sermon your uncle preached on that subject. 'And because ye are sons, God has s

ng Uncle Paul; but the worst of it is I get

ly, "and this is one of your wicked deeds

now what I should have done in this place without you; and what a

house in view; you see I have t

ut 200 yards away, and nothing would content me but that I must go and find out what it was. In vain Mrs. Ross expostulated, and pointed out the danger of going so far and getting out of touch with the houses; the spirit of mischief prompted me, and I ran away laughing. Lilian followed, entreating me to stop, bu

as it blazed pitilessly down on the man's white, upturned face. I recognized him at once

elt by his side, quite forgetting the danger we were in

ck with me this instant. We are out of sigh

ifferent to everything. It was too late. As we retraced our steps, we heard wild s

we were probably doomed to a cruel death. I felt it keenly, because I saw

hurriedly, "have you go

ely eyes was reflec

ith my hand in the bosom

ot fear death, not since I met Mr. St.

ught you to this. I shall n

ot mean it

comes to the

en now; let us take this turn, Nina, it

ild, horrible cries they came rushing after us. A sensation of cruel fear-the knowledge that certain death stared us in the face-a qui