The Dickinson press., 1892-08-27
q little older than che was, ana who seem.
ed peculiarly fitted in every WAY to hecoma

2G%
BACK. DOGS AND FOOLS.
Rabbits of Moscow, and he himself had as
PRED to enter the church of his peo,ie, and
for that purpose had studied. But ut last,
by his fathers desire. he had given up
thoughts oftle church, and had token to
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.
God is good and the world sublime.
We shall live n lite OF unclouded happiness,
for love can beautify life, and we love each
fore"
Rachel assented to this, and so they
dreamed as lovers always dream, and they
saw nothing ofthe dark shadows that were
gathering ahead. and out OF which the
It was In the Pefcrsburgskaia storona,
which is the northern and oldest part ofthe
town, that Aaron 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
vi VI SiiS to"u "a ~ SIIatOiuOSL olu
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 ofthe vast town. TO this quar-
ter longing and greedy eyes werco ten turn
ed as to an Ell Dorado; and not%intrequent-
it should be given to the flames, the Jews
driven out and their property confiscated.
In one OF the most ancient, but one of
themost picturesque O fthe houses, dwelt
Aaron Arama i'll p ace and contentment.
He had been a good citizen. fulfilling his
he had endeavored with might and main
to sweep away ONE of the prcjr dice that
existed amongst the Christians against his
race and creed.
To the ball, Ivan Alexief was invited,
for how could Aaron forget the service the
young man had rendered him i'll the Ba-
zaar2--and the OPP ,rtnnity that Ivan had
so longsighed for was thus at last his. He
knew that the beauty of Rachel was as Q
tale amongst the people, and he had gazed
upon her often, but never a 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-
was strongly hopeful that he could so ina
press her, in spite of the difference in their
faith, that she would give him ear.
The scene was a brilliant one, Tor Aaron
had been lavish in his expenditure, and
the Russian love Of color was displayed in
es Of the ladies. and the uniforms of the
oftici ais and military men who had &C.
cepted 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
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 Alcxieff was blind to all else but
her-deat to everything but the music OF
her voice; and lie ielt that to win her he
would dare the torture OF Hades itself.
Unable longer to remain silent, he seized a
moment when she sf0 ii alone to approach
her. and he said 'n"'o "s:-
"Give me. I crave. afew moments speech
with you. I am Ivan Alexletf, son of Peter
Alexietf chief OF the police, and 1 have had
the supreme good fortune to render some
slight service to your father"
lM, and with a trace of trepidation, for in
stinctively she guessed what he would say
to her, and her olive cheeks became suf-
fused with red. "My father has spoken
very highly OF you." she continued, land
need l 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 betrothed to Moshka Umanski, and
he said
"Presuming upon my welcome, then, 1
pray you. give me your arm, kld let me
lead you into the corridor"
q moment, and then, remembering how
highly her father had spoken of tho young
man, she complied with his request, and,
laying the tips of her gloved hand OIL his
arm, she allowed him to lead her TO the
corridor, a huge stone passage. as in most
Russian houses. land now decorated for the
Then, with the impu,siviveness that
was part Of his nature, he said,
abruptly
"Kachel, l have seen you often, and love
for you has grown up III my heart. until it
seems to me as if the world without you
would-be a bowling wilderness.
but you are a Christian. " she exclaim-
ed, drawing a 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 I would
renounce everything, m will become your
slave"
"Hush. you must not speak like that
she answered, trembling a little with the
excitement his words caused her. II ad-
NIT that love is all-powerful, but, though !
hope TO have your friendship. I cannot give
you love; it is impossible"
"lmpSSssible!" he echoed.
Wherefore impossible7"
"Because l am already. betrothed and
pledged to a co-religionist."
This announcement seemed to cause
Ivan to stagger. Fire came into his eye
and his cheeks redeemed. while his voice
was qnivering as lie said:-
BetrOthed and niedpe1 NJ M Gov mi
that; l have dreamed ofyou. Let me not
awake to find thai / have been Knocked by
a phantom. Betrothed and pledged! Nay,
though it be so. I will hope 70 WIN you. j
know not my rival; but l am as good as he
as brave as he, as strong as he, and l viii
the grave"
exclaimed, with a shndder. "iwherefor,
do you speak like that7 1t is not kind. I
is not manly"
mot manly" cried Ivan, with a laugl
Of bitterness. Not manly. to hate one
rival. and to wish to Stay him? The lowe
animals brook no rivalry. Is man les
than the nimals2 Love that is thwarte,
BECOMES madness, and madness is rockies
OF consequences. l tell you Rachel. I Low
you. and if any, man stands between us
Oyer Rachel's beautiful face there sven
q look of fear and pain that was quit
foreign to it, and, gazing tearfully on Ivan
who addressed her in language that sh
had never heard before in all her life, sh
said;-
"ralk not like that. You frighten MI
and l shall lice from you as from one VIII
would do ME harm and destroy my happi
ness. 1 tell you that my love and pledg
are already given. How, then, can l bt
stow them on. you?"
81 confess I have beer hasty." he m
swered, apologetically. Butt have nurse
my admiration for you SO long in siienc
I that now, when the opportunity is give
ME to speak, l feel as ii many words woul
Rachel. that the world to me without yo
will be a blank, aud my life will be Pul
poseles."
.Oh why do you distress me-" sh
! moaned, 'by talking thus? You have n
f claim upon me. There can be nothing j