ty words were carried by spies to Liuchi's ears, and with her
usual promptness she caused the imprudent youth to be seized and
confined within the palace prison. The puppet under whom she ruled had
proved inconvenient, and there was not a moment's hesitation in putting
him out of the way. What became of him is not known, the prison rarely
revealing its secrets, but from Liuchi's character we may safely surmise
his fate.

The regent at once set to work to choose a more pliant successor to her
rebellious tool. But her cup of crime was nearly full. Though the people
remained silent, there was deep discontent among the officials of the
realm, while the nobles were fiercely indignant at this virtual seizure
of the throne by an ambitious woman. The storm grew day by day. One
great chief boldly declared that he acknowledged "neither empress nor
emperor," and the family of the late monarch Kaotsou regained their
long-lost courage on perceiving these evidences of a spirit of revolt.

Dangers were gathering around the resolute regent. But her party was
strong, her hand firm, her courage and energy great, and she would
perhaps have triumphed over all her foes had not the problem been
unexpectedly solved by her sudden death. The story goes that, while
walking one day in the palace halls, meditating upon the best means of
meeting and defeating her numerous foes, she found herself suddenly face
to face with a hideous spectre, around which rose the shades of the
victims whom she had removed by poison or violence from her path. With a
spasm of terror the horrified woman fell and died. Conscience had
smitten her in the form of this terrific vision, and retribution came to
the poisoner in the halls which she had made infamous by her crimes.

Her death ended the hopes of her friends. Her party fell to pieces
throughout the realm, but a strong force still held the palace, where
they fiercely defended themselves against the army brought by their
foes. But their great empress leader was gone, one by one they fell in
vain defence, and the capture of the palace put an end to the power
which the woman usurper had so long and vigorously maintained.

_THE INVASION OF THE TARTAR STEPPES._

Many as have been the wars of China, the Chinese are not a warlike
people. Their wars have mostly been fought at home to repress rebellion
or overcome feudal lords, and during the long history of the nation its
armies have rarely crossed the borders