The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1892-08-11
CHAPTER u.-CoNrrNuED.

1t was in the Petersburgskaia Storona,
which is the northern and oldest part of the
town, that Aaron Arama lived with his
family The citadel stands i'll 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 shabblest and
most sQualid- looking, but probably there
is more wealth collected there than is to be
found in any area ofthe same extent in
the whole of the vast town. TO this quar-
ter longing and greedy eyes were ten turn
ed as to an Ell Dorado; and notintrequent-
lY had threats been uttered that some day
ii should be given to the flames, the Jews
driven out and their property coniscated.
In one Of the most ancient, but one of
themost picturesque of the houses, dWelt
Aaron Arama i'll peace and contentment.
lie had been good citizen, fulhiling his
duties to the State in the strietest sense; and
he had endeavored with might and main
to sweep away come of the prejr dice that
existed amongst the Christians against his
race and creed.
TO the ball, Ivan AlexiefP was invited,
for how could Aaron forget the service the
Young man had rendered him in the Ba-
z lar?S--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 butneyer 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 inn
press her. in spite of the difference in their
faith, that she would give him ear.
The scene was o brilliant one, Tor 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
Ollie ais and military men who had aC-
ceptcd the rich Jews invitation to partake
OF his hospitality and 10 celebrate the COM
ing o: age Of Rachel. There were many
was the most distinguished of them
all. Her radiant beauty cclipsed all the
others, and her irresistible fascination drew
men 10 her even as moths arc drawn to the
flame.
Ivan Alexieff was blind to all else but
her-deat to everything bnt 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 stood alone to approach
her, and he said in low tone>:-
Give me, l crave, few moments speech
with you. | am Ivan Alexletf, SON of Peter
Alexieff, chic! OF the police, and | have ha
the supreme good fortune to render some
slight service to your father"
II know, | know" she answered, quick
iy, and with trace Of trepidation, for in
stinctiyely she guessed what he would say
to her, and her olive cheeks became sui
fused with red MY father has spoken
need I say that his friends are welcome
here?"
These words gave Ivan hope and cour-
age, for he was not aware at this time that
she was betrothcd to Moshka Umanski, and
he said
tsDroeuu,;Dn uDnD INV uo1 oo,oa tbaD 7
pray you give me your arm, and let me
lead you into the corridor"
She hesitated for a moment, but only for
a moment, and then, remembering how
highly her father had spoken of the young
man, she complied with his request, and,
laying the tips of her gloyed hand on his
arm, she allowed him to lead her to the
corridor, a huge stone passage, as in most
Russian houses Eand now decorated for the
nonce with evergreens and rare plants.
Then, with the impuiSiviyenesS that
was part Of his nature, he said,
abruptly
"Rachel, have seen you often, and love
for you has grown up i'll my heart, until it
seems to me as if the world without you
would be bowling wilderness.
''But you are a Christian" she exclaim-
ed, drawing little away from him, and
looking very astonished.
And what OF that? Love levels all. Love
has no creed; it sweeps away every barrier
OF race and faith. But for your sake | would
Tenounce everything, and will become your
slave"
"Hush, you must not speak like that"
she answered, trembling a little with the
excitement his words caused her. Il adj
NIT that love is a'l-powerful but, though 1
hope 10 have your friendship | cannot give
you love; it is impossible"
"Impossible" he echoed.
YES"
Wherefore impossib!e?''
Because | am already betrothed and
1ledged to a co-religionist."
This announcement seemed to cause
Ivan to stagger. Fire came into his eyes
and his cheeks reddened, while his voice
was quvering as he said
Bctrothed and pledged! No, no. say not
that | have dreamed of you. Let me not
awake to find that | have been Knocked by
a phantom. Betrothed and pledged! Nay
though it be so, will hope to win you. I
know not my rival but am as good as he
as brave as he, as strong as he and l will
be his deadly enemy, even to the gates of
the grave"
ooh, how strangely you talk" Rachel
exclaimed, with shuddcr. Wherefore
do you speak like that? 1t is not kind. 1t
is not manly"
'sNot manly" cried Ivan, with q laugh
of bitterness. Not manly to hate ones
rival, and to wish to slay Il im? The lower
"
Than the animals7 Love that is thwarted
becomes madness, and madness is reckless
OF consequences. | tell you Rachel, love
you, and if any man stands between us,
let him beware!"
Oyer Rachel's beautiful face there swept
| look of fear and pain that was quite
| foreign to it, and, gazing tearfully on Ivan,
| who addressed her in language that she
| had never heard before in all her life, she
| said;-
"fak not like that. You frighten me,
| and shall flee from you as from one who
would do me harm and de<troy my happi-
ness. tell you that my love and pledge
are already given. How, then, can / be-
! stow them on your"
| II confess I have been hasty," lie an
| swered, alphabetically. But have nurscd
my admiration for you SO long in silence
me to speak, feel US if many words would
! but waste time. Agtin | say to you,
| Rachel, that the world to me without you
will be a blank, and my life will be pur-
| poseless.'
"Oh! why do you distress mr." she
moaned, by talking thus2 You have no
claim upon me. There can be nothing in
| common between us. Our paths lie vide
aSunder. A man must not aim at the i'm
| possible; he should not leap at the stars,
| and it is sinful for him TO attempt to sap
/ the happiness OF woman. Up to now my
/ lll6 HAS bGSll "itnOilG OIlC uISCOIddhb IlOlS
| Why should you now sound discord2 To
| Moshka Umanski | am pledged, and
| Moshka Umansh will become my husband
! He is one Of my people, he lis the choice of
| nay parents, he is the heart of my heart
! For me to listen to words love under
these circumstances would be deadly sin.
| Ifyou desire my friendship you shall have
it. Here is my hand in pledge thereof.
But more than friendship / can never give
/ YOU"
She had spoken hurriedly and with some
display of excitement, but with all evident
intelligent grasp of the situation. Alexieff
seized her hand with an amount ofnervous
energy that quite startled her, and with
blazing eyes he looked into her exquisitely
beautiful face, that was now pale with fear
aud misgiving. She tried to draw away,
but he held her fast, and said with GER
tain subdued fierceness:
ITO look on you is to forget everything
/ else. | have looked on you, and all the
world has faded from my gaze. If l turn
NV avac from non shaI hn Hind pvap nc