Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1892-08-25

Rabbis OF Moscow, and he himself had as.
pired to enter the church of his people. and
for that purpose had studied: But at last
by his fathers desire he had given up
thoughts of the church, and had taken to
the law, in which he promised to distin-
guish himself. Very happy indeed was
Moshka when he thought Of Rachel the
beautiful, who was to be his bride; and he
had said to her.
We shall live a lite OF unclouded happiness,
other as man and woman never loved be-
fore"
Rachel assented to this, and so they
dreamed as lovers always dream. and they
saw nothing of the dark shadows that were
gathering ahead. and out OF which the
lightning was to come and sn,ite them.
1t was in the Peter>burgSkaa Storona,
which is the northern and oldest part of the
town, that Aal on Arama lived with his
family. The citadel stands in this quarter,
and round about it cluster huge houses,
which are for the most part inhabited by
those of the Jewish faith. Externally this
section of the town is the shabhlest and
most squalid-! ooking, but probably there
is more wealth collected there than is to be
found in any area of the same extent in
the whole Of the vast town. TO this quar-
ter longing and greedy eyes were ten turn
ly had threats been uttered that some day
it shou be given to the flames, the Jews
driven out and their property confiscated.
In one OF the most ancient, but one of
the most picturesque of the houses, dwelt
Aaron Arama III pace and contentment.
He had been a good citizen, fulfilling his
duties to the State in the strictest sense; and
he had endeavored with might and main
to sweep away ONE of the prejr dice that
existed amongst the Christians against his
race and creed.
To the ball, Ivan Alexieff was invited,
for how could Aaron forget the service the
young man had rendered him in the Ba-
zaar?---and the Opportunity that Ivan had
SO long sighed for was thus at last his. He
knew that the beauty of Rachel was as
tale amongst the people, and he had gazed
upon her often, but never chance had been
given him to exchange sentiments with her.
But now he was under the same roof; now
was he privileged to address her. and con-
scious of his own natural attractions, he
was strongly hopeful that he could so i'm
press her. in spite of the difference in their
faith, that she would give him ear.
The scene was brilliant one, for Aaron
had been lavish in his expenditure, and
the Russian love of color was displayed in
the decoration OF the rooms, the gay dress
es of the ladies, and the uniforms of the
officials and military men who had &C.
eepted the rich Jews invitation to partake
OF his hospitality and to celebrate the COM
ing O. age of Rachel. There were many
beautiful women present. but Rachel
was the most distinguished of them
all. Her radiant beauty eclipsed all the
others, and her irresistible fascination drew
men 10 her even as moths are drawn to the
flame.
Ivan Alexieff was blind to all else but
her-deatto everything but the music OF
her voice; and he felt that to win her he
would dare the torture OF Hades itself.
Unable longer TO remain silent, he seized q
moment when she stond alone to approach
her, and he said IN low to as;-