The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-09-08
BY ,JEr1oc oocn.

wv BY j. E.F1oo0O~"'
passage, and up another fight of steps, and
presently emerged on the roof which, in
common with many Russian houses, was
fiat, or partially so.
1t was astrange scene that met the anx-
ious gaze OF the fugitives. The darkness of
the starless night was in q measure dispers-
cd by the lurid glare of flaming houses
andby the light OF these flames could be
seen below the rioters as they rushed about
In search of prey. The rain was still fall
ing, and the wind moaned drearily.
And whittier nowP" asked Ivan, betray-
ing III his voice the keen anxiety he was
feeling, for he could not be Indifferent to
the danger that menaced his companion.
Perhaps the danger to himself, was hardly
lessi but 1t was of her he was thinking. He
was brave and reckless to degree, and
scarcely knew such thing as fear. But for
this Jewess maiden, whose beauty had
woven such spell about him. he was great
~ concerned, for he knew that it she fell
into the hands OF the mob no power of his
could save her.
''There is but one way" she answered,
still with that unnatural calmness; I'VE
must traverse the parapet to some other
house and so endeavor to reach the
street."
"Come then" he said, fully alive to the
risk, as he took her hand and helped her
on to the parapet which was not more than
foot broad, and was slippery with the
rain. A false step, and one or both of
them would topple headlong into the street
below. 1t was not time, however, for
thought, but action, and at such moment
brave men are capable of great deeds.
Thus it was that Ivan braced his nerves TO
the situation, and, grasping his compan-
IONS hand firmly, he piloted her along the
giddy edge which was 1raught with an ad
ditional danger now on account ofthc glow
of the flames; which might reveal their
presence to the mob below But the pas
sage was accomplished without mishap,
and the roof of another house reached some
distance away. The door that led from the
roof to the upper passage was locked,
but Ivan burst it open with his
broad shoulders, and then he and
Rachel descended cautiously The house
seemed to be deserted Its inmates hal
either taken fright or been massacred. At
any rate, no one was stirring, and there
were no sounds.
At last the iugitives gained the door that
led into the street 1t was intact and closed.
Ivan opened it with great caution and
peered out. little lower down the street
tiendish work was being carried On, but
from that point nnthe coast sNas clear He
turned to his companion, who looked ale
and ill, and as ifshe were about to faint.
'Oome, Rachel" he said, 'let us go
! while the way is yet OPEN"
She recovered herself with an effort and
EXCHANGED
But what of my father and mother?"
| So far she had meekly obeyed her fathers
injunctions, but she had never for mo-
ment ceased to think Of the peril
her parents were i'll, and the anxiety
she felt was made mani est in the tone in
which she asked the question.
If Ivan had spoken the true thoughts of
| his mind, he must have told her that he
considered the chances Of her fathers and
mothers escape as very poor indeed. But
he did not do so. He merely said:-
The issue of this nights work must be
left to God"
''Aye, truly replied Rachel, with
great sigh, May He deliver us out of our
| affection"
She signifed to her companion that she
was ready, and then the Two went forth
into the plying night which in its starless
darkness afforded them greater. means of
| escape. They walked rapidly i'll the direc-
ton ofthe citadel, and they heard the
| bugles and drums as the soldiers mustered
prepatory to sallying forth 10 suppress the
rioters. The sounds reminded Ivan that it
were wise for him not to be seen with
Rachel, and so he drew her into street
that ran at right angles with the citadel,
and when they had proceeded some little
distance he stopped and asked her what
they were to do now; whittier were they to
go to? Up to then he had scarcely been
| able to think ofthar, but now the question
could not be avoided. Shelter for Rachel
must be found; but where? 1t was prob
| lem, but she solved it.
II know not" she said. save it be to
the house OF my fathers friend, Nekrassoff."
but Nekrassoff is Christian" exclaimed
| Ivan in surprise.
'"True, but ali Christians are not as the
misguided men who have made this night
hideous with the slaughter Of my people
and the destruction of their property Ne
krassoff is bebolden to my father for many
| good acts. When he was pressed by his Gre
| ditors, my father came to his rescue and lent
! him moneys without bond or bail, nor has
| he ever demanded one shekel oft back.
| Nekrassotf has two daughters who have ex-
pressed great friendship for me, and now,
surely not turn me from their door,"
Come theD," said Ivan, with a certain
scepticism manifesting itself in his
tone, I'VE will put it to the
test" And SO they hurried on,
and in little while reached Nekrassoff's
house which stood just at the entrance to
Nevski Prospect.
| Nekrassoff was merchant who had not
been very successful, and he had received
| great assistance and met with much kind
| ness from Aaron Arama, and he showed
! now that he was neither ungrateful nor I'M
mindful of it; Tor when .the old Jews
daughter sought succour and shelter, Ne
krassOtf received her with an honest well
come, and bade his girls entertain her we'll
and give her all the comfort they could.
So lar then, Ivan Alexeif's sel-imposed
task was accomplished, and he had rescued
from deadly peril the woman who had
enslaved him, and, having placed her in a
position of safety he took his leave. AS
he was departing from her she said:
You have rendered me grt at service,
and am grateful, but neither rest nor
peace can he mine until l know that my
parents are safe. Will you bring me
news?
He promised to bring her word as early
as he possibly could, and kissing her hand,
he went his way with strong feeling that,
| if he had not quite won her, there was but
little more required to be able to call her
his own; and yet could he have lifted the
| veil for one brief instant that shrouded the
future, and had caught a glimpse of what
lay before him, he would surely have
shrunk back, and with white lips have
cursed the fatal hour that Rachel Arama's
beauty came into his vision, and threw its
magic spell about him.