The Dickinson press., 1892-09-17

in n plot, and having once got them in hi
power, it was the easiest thing imaginabl
to manufacture evidence against them. l
needed but the outlay. ola few roubles
about his rivals iall he %rejoicet
thereat, for Fate was favoring him
so he thought, and his hope of win
ming Rachel would yet become @iruition
Heallowed three or Jour weeks to pass, how
ever, before he made any attempt to SEE
her; and then lie went TO Arama's house
Now, Arama being aware OF what haC
taken place between his daughter and 1var
on the night ofthe ball, and how Moshks
had interiered. and how angry and fiery
words and dark threats had been uttered
by Ivan, very naturally suspected that Ivan
might have had some handin bringing about
Moshka's Imprisonment. He therefore re.
ness. saying
You rendered me service once, II the
hospitality Of my house shall not be de-
MED you; snd yet do ear that you cross my
threshold as q enemy and not as a friend"
"Wheretore you think so?" asked Ivan,
with n certain sharpness of manner, as
though lie were annoyed by the mere sus-
picion.
Ivan Alexieff," answered Arama, as he
stoo ! with his hands crossed before him,
and his eyes upturned, tit lies not in me to
do any. man wrong, and if wrong you
by word or deed, my sin will not bea wilful
deed, and it can find no lasting record in
it is through you that we have lost Uman-
ski, and that Rachel mourns as for one
that is dead. and refuses to be comforted."
"By my honor, you do wrong me" ex-
claimed Ivan with a strength OF emphasis
that caused his Ii tener to waver in his
belief. ~ say again and again you wrong
me-" continued Ivan with increased
rv,t ltny,l 80 o~nnI II not 1 vp,t1 r,1,v
my tongue be palsied."
II dare not doubt you now Give me
your hand" said Arama, with a cordially
of expression that left no doubt ofhis
sincerity.
Stay" responded Ivan, and he drew
back a pace or two. "Let us understand
each other. l strike no man in the dark
Jew o Gentle, shall say that Ivan
Alexieff is u coward. In no way, either
directly or indirectly, have l been instru-
mental in bringing about Moshka IMAM
skis fall. But l rejoice at it. Nay, scowl
not at me SO. He was my rival; being my
rival, he was mine enemy; and being mine
enemy, 1 am filled with JOY that he can no
my devotion"
This is strange and unjustiiable Ian
Wherefore unjustifiable? Does not the
justification lie in your daughter"
But her love is given to Moshka; where
fore seek that Which it is impossible to
gain?" said Aaron sternly.
81 deny that l seek the impossible.
Moshka Umanski is condemned to hard
labor in the island of Sakhalin. Few men
who go to Sakhalin ever com back. There
fore Moshka is dead to Rachel. A woman
may nurse a dead love for a time, but in
the end her heart warns into life again. I
would WOO her. Give me leave, and I will
strive to win her fairly; but failing l will
honestly confess my defeat, and you shall
hear OF ME no more"
Aaron was evidently deeply moved and
1 pfssssd by H' 1 ssn'd n siscs ,a}l to but Ss i% +:
loved Moshka. and yet he knew
that Ivan had spoken a terrible truth
when he said that but few men came back
from the living grave OF Sakhalin. ItMosh.
ka had not been a Jew it might not have
been impossible by means of heavy brides
to get his sentence reduced, ifnot reversed
altogether; but the law having fastened il
the deviltish, and nothing could make its
release its hold. Aaron knew all this, and,
knowing it. te.t that it were worse than
folly to hope that Rachel and Moshka
couldnow ever be united. Presently he
spoke in answer to Ivan, and these were
his words:--
l am Rachel's father, and my child's
happiness is to me more precious than
wealth; and I would not lave her love
cling to a dead thing. But though in the
tulness of time she may wall no more fol
Moshka, there is a gulf between you and
her.
How mean your" asked Ivan quick
you are a Christian, she is a Jew.
But there is no law, either human OF
divine, which prevents q Christian and g
Jewess from marrying"
True. true" NUT cred Aaron, in ar
absorbed way; and pacing the room for
while. he seemed much troubled. II an
is old too. and soon we shall be called up
on to lay down the burden oflife. Blu
before the end comes l would do much t.
insure my child's happiness. And yet how
is that to be done? Alas. l know not, fol
the heart OF man is Ease. Moshka wa
true, though; aye true as the pole-star t
the north, but he is dead to us now, dead
dead"
The old Jew was much affected; hi
voice had grown unsteady, and he pressed
his handkerchief to his eyes.
Yes" Moshka is dead to you." remark
ed Ivan, land l would take his place
give me leave to WOO your daughter"
My. daughter shall speak lor herself,
cried Aaron. II will fetch her, and out Q
her own lips shall you know he
mind"
He hurried from the room, returnin,
shortly with Rachel leaning on his arm
Her lace wore q look of ineffable sorrow
and her eyes were filled with an expression
OF yearning sadness. AS she came into til
room and beheld Ivan, she shuddered all,
chung closer to her father, who had no
told her that Ivan WAS there.
You see that she shoulders in your pres
ence and shrinks from you!" said Aaron.
"Why is it SO, Rachel?" asked Ivan.
Where ore do you ask me? Let you
own conscience nsweI.
Guessing her meaning. Ivan turned t
Arama ana said:-
Speak tor me, 1 pray you, fur she think
at is true, she does" answered Arams
But, Rachel, / have his assurance that b
did not br ng about Moshka's arrest"
"And you believe it?" she asked, wit
something like an incredulous smile play
ing about her mouth.
AYE. for he has sworn it."
"Ands swear it again." broke in Ivan. q
did not influence his arrest--did not kno,
he was to be arrested. Nay death strik
me before l can speak again ifthis be nc
true!!"
Rachel fixed Ivan under her ravishin
eyes, but he qua'led nor tiinched not undo
their piercing gaze. Then, thinking pel
hans as her father thought. that it would b
better to have Inn as u friend thar all er
emv, she said:-
II will believe you" and she extende
her handto him, and he pressed his lips to i
: Thus were their differences adjusted; b,
She dreamed not then Of allowing him t
talk love to her. Ivan Alexietf. howeve
had no intention of abandoning his sui
/. He had all his tather's stern determinatio
OF purpose, but was without his father
faults. Fol Ivan was honest, while h
father was an INSCRIPTIONS knave. Ands
the son. having a goal in view, pressed I.
wards it, and that goal was to win I'll
beautiful Rachel, and take her to wife. il
his love for her burned tiercer and strongt
: day by day. And yet. though gracious an
/ kindly to him, she would giYehim no hop
Her answer always was
my hearti is Moshka's; and Moshka tax,
it with him into his exile"