The Dickinson press., 1892-10-01
CHAPTER VII.

Ararnas house, q man had forced his way
in from the street as far as the loot oil tho
stairs. but there his further passage was
barred by the wcged-in and closely pack ed
crowd OF excited people. And though he
assumed an authoritative tone and al
last commanded and then threatened, he
made no more impression than he would
have done it he had told the sun to stand
still, or the waves of a stormy sea to cease
to roll. This man was Ivan AleXietf, and
his object was to render assistance to Rachel
and her iather;Ior he had gathered enough
of what was going on TO know hat they
were in danger, although from his position
he could not see them.
1t is testimony to the sincere feelings
AleAieff bore Tor Rachel that he was ready
to run any risk. and to imperil himselfin
order to aid her. AS 500 as he heard that
all attack was being made on the Jews
quarter, he drove in a drosky with all pos
sible speed t" the P~eter,burgskaia Storona
knowing iull well that an attempt would
be made TO wreck Aralna's house. and that
Rachel was hardly likely to escape insult,
and might even lose her life. Therefore
lie paused not. MOI did lie reflect what the
consequences to himself would be if
his proceedings should become known
to his father. But love pauses
had displayed nh impctuosity and n
strength oil passion that were remarkable,
it would be unfair to him to suggest that
his love was passion only.
As lie vainly cndcavored to force his way
up the stairs, he was suddenly startled by
the pistol shot; then heard the>avage cry of
anger that succeeded it, and Immediately
been the result of an earthquake, so sudden
and awful was it. The iron and wooden
banisters crashed and splintered to pieces,
and pell-mell, headlong fell the mob. 1t
was an awful sight, but the catastrophe
cleared away the obstacle that had hither-
to imposed itself between him and those
he sought; and then at the head of the
stairs he beheld the old man still holding
the smoking weapon. and looking in his
%sternness II determination almost like
some Heayen-appointed agent divergence.
But OH her knees, her arms around his
waist, her long hair loose and strangling,
her superb face bloodless and haggard, and
filled with a frightened expression, was
poor Rachel.
taken place very rapidly, and the tableau
eyes enabled him to understand the plot of
the tragedy The smoking weapon in
Arama's hand, and the alarm and distress
of Rachel, told their WI tale. And so
with IL wild upward rush he stood beside
them, and, excited and agitated, he ex-
claimed:
You must flyl Quick! OF the blood
hounds when they have recovered them
selves. will tear you to pieces"
The words arodseu Arhlna. He had
been in q dream, or rather he had been
daZed; but now, with O groan Of despair he
realized his position, and with the flash oil
a thought. as it were, he saw all the .conse-
quences that were likely to ensue to HIM
self and those who were dearer to hin,
kIn 1yl S~ A1~A rvF., a@-,1 ~
agony OF mind and heart he suddenly turn
ed his weapon OH his daughter, his inten-
ton being to kill her and then himself
But Ivan OWNED what he would do and
snatching the weapon away thrust it into
his pocket. Then he seized Rachel. and
by sheer physical strength raised her up,
for she seemed to have lost both presence
Of mind and lower to act.
Are you mad?" he demanded, address
seek a place of safety while there is yet
time. Rachel, you shall not remain here.
Come, come, l beseech you, and l will de-
fend you with my life"
She was wailing now like one who was
stricken with a mortal agony, and looked
%appealingly to her father, who had recov-
ed all his self-possession and presence Of
Ivan Alexietf,," he said sadly and stern
ly, 'it is a moment that permits of no argu'
ment or parley. l see all that will come
out o fit. But within this house my wife
lies nigh unto death, and l go not from
her. Into your hands. however, l commit
the safety and honor of my Child, and
charge you solemnly. in the name of the
'Father!" cried Rachel, despair
towards him as if in that one exclama,
ton she was be%seeching him to revoke
his decision. But he waved her off, anG
repeated twice:
'Go. Go" Then he added: 1.-THE Lord.
might is greater than mans: We will trus
are scattered by the Lords breath, ana on
enemies shall be c~oniounded." He pause,
as If from some pang OF emotion; but, i'll
moment, repeated the word go"
Used to obcying her father with un
answering and implicit obedience, Rache
held up her face for him to kiss her. H
did so, and then turned way so that sh
might not see how deeply lie was affected
And she gave her hand TO Ivan. saying:
."My father has delivered me into you
charge. ! will go where you lead me-"
Ivan Alexietf saw that it would be ute
madness to attempt to force a passag
through the frantic rabble, whose aim an
object now were fire and slaughter.
us there no other way out2" he asked
a%nxiously. OF Rachel.
Yes" she answered with an Immature
calmness. Follow me-" and he followe
her, and she led the way along an uppe
passage, and up another flight ofsteps, an
presently emerged on the roof which, i
common with many Russian houses, We
flat, or partially SO.
1t was a strange scene that met the am
ious gaze OF the fugitives. The darkness {
he's tarless night was i'll a measure disper:
ed by the lurid glare of flaming house
and by the light Of these fumes could /
seen below the rioters as they rushed abor
IN search Of prey. The rain was still fall
ing, and the wind moaned drearily.
"And whittier now" asked Ivan, betra,
ing i'll his voice the keen anxiety lie We
feeling. for he could not be Indifferent
the danger that menaced his companion
Perhaps the danger to himself was hardl
less; but it wss of her he was thinking. H
was brave and reckless to a degree, all
scarcely knew such athing as fear. But f
this Jewess maiden. whose beauty ha
woven such a spell about him. he was grea
~ concerned, for he knew that it she fe
into the hands Of the mob no power of h
could save her.
There is but onc way" she answere
still with that unnatural calmness; "y
must traverse the parapet to some 9th
house. and so endcavor to reach Il
street,
. Come then. he said, fully alive to I'll
> risk, as he took her hand, and helped h
on to the parapet, which was not more tn,
a foot broad, II was slippery with Il
rain. A false step, and one or both
t them would topple headlong into the sire
, below: 1t was not a time, however, t
thought, but action, and at such a nome
brave men are capable of great deet
Thus it was that Ivan braced his nerves
. the situation, and. grasping his compa
I ions hand firmly, he piloted her along t
- giddy edge which was iraught with an a
: ditional danger now on account oftheg gle
= ofthe flames; which might reveal III,
!, presence to the mob below. But tha u,
q sage was accomplished without mishs
- and the root of another house reached Sol
" distance away. The door that led from t
= = roof to the upper passage was lock.
but Ivan burst it open with
~ broad shoulders, and then he a
= Rachel descended cautiously. The no,
seemed to be deserted. Its inmates h
either taken fright or been massacred.
any rate, no one was stirring, and til
~ were no sounds.
n At last the tugitives gained the doortl
N led into tho Stroot tv.aptao o,I ol,,