The Dickinson press., 1892-11-19

T/E35 4
CHAPTER XVI.
When Ivan Alexictf determined to ao-
company Rachel on her journey through
Siberia. he was not Indifferent TO the diff
cultles that lay the way. Everyone who
beyond the Urals was obliged to be fur
nished with the necessary passports and
official letters; 9th, rwise he would be IL
able to arrest as a suspicious character
whose object was to convey information to
the convicts, or obtain information from
them. Under any other conditions than
aSss ssss Taih Sad no no" asS,y afasfs ss %s1s
because he was lcgi,imately entitled
to go ont to his iather. But it was
pretty well known that he had refused to
accompany his father. and it was also
known that he had displayed a liking for
Rachel Aramn. Therefore II he had appli cd
through the ordinary channels for the ne.
cessary papers, it would at once have been
suspected that he simply wished to accom-
pany Rachel; con; eqpen,ly permission
and from the fact of his father having oc-
cnp:ed the important position Of Chief Of
the Police. he was well acquainted with all
the routine that had 10 he gone through,
and also with the nature and orm OF the
documents that We're given TO the appli-
cants.
Although he fully recognized all the oh.
stac'es That opposed themselves to his de-
sire to accompany her on the journey, they
did not seam inSNpnrahla EpH If loyo
blinds man to many things, it quickeEs
his faculties in other respects and makes
him bold TO rashness; and the plan he re-
solved upon WAS nothing more nor less
than that OF forging his own passport and
papers. Indeed, there was no other plan
ing; for if his friends and rela-
tives hadgot an inkling OF his purpose they
would without doubt have taken steps to
Illustrate his intentions. AS it was he had
to admit to his coniidencea friend who was
employed in the bureau OF the Minister o
the Interior, and through this friend, and
by means OF u douceur-which i'll Russia
has the power TO buy the highest official
i'll the land he procured a passport form.
There is saying that every man has his
price, but nowhere does it receive such a
startling eXcmplitication as it does in the
Cars Kingdom. Bid high enough and you
can buy the Cars most confidential and
trusted 2QYlScf.
Having got this document the main diff.
entity was overcome. Ivan filled in the re-
quired particulars, and described himself
travelling on legitimate business to the east
to purchase furs. AS regards ways and
about fifteen tie ~ss sundrea m pGsssbfil'e" poables He e.
did not pause TO consider what
he would do when he had expended
that. In his case sufficient for the day was
the evil thereof. He was too impulsivc. too
erratic to sit calmly down and plan out the
future. He was quite coMtentto live in the
present. In order SO throw his friends of
the scent, he gave them to understand that
he had made up his mind to 90 to Paris.
where as he had been informed. Russians
did we'll, and readily obtained employ
ment.
Thus did he pave the way for his depart
ure and having arranged u rendezvous with
Rachel he went to Moscow, there to await
her coming. 1twas some weeks. however,
before she arrived, and he found it hard to
restrain his impatience. When they came
together once more she asked him ii he
wasstill as determined as ever to go cast
ward.
"Aye. more determined" he answered,
emphtically; 'unless you were going west
ward. Then would go westward, too, for
where you are. there would be-"
"But, remember. you are under oath to
render me service, and to make sacrifice
for my sake"
81 do not forget it," he replied. ''But l
would once more ask what the sacrifice is
to be. Why should you refuse to tell me2'
you have given yourself to my cause,
therefore you must servo me blindly," she
said. ''My secrets are my own. You shall
not wrest them from me; but now, on the
eve of our starting. Task you whether you
wish to withdraw"
~ have spoken" he said doggcdly.
Where you go, ! &c"
"And yet it may be only to die" she
urged.
'If die with you let it be SO, since
cannot liye without you. Even now yor
seem to doubt my love. And yet tel
you, Rachel Arania. no man ever loycc
woman more truly than love YOU"
| She turned her head away, evidently af
fected with some emotion. Then suddenly
she 'acedp him once more. There wer.
tears in her eyes. She was strangely moved
Ivan" she said with unusual tender
ness, and laying her hand upon his shoul
der. Ivan, l would save you from yourself
be lev. your love is firm and true, but
may prove phantom to lure you to you
destruct' on"
"What mean you?" he asked, with ever,
manifestation OF agitation if not alarm.
Il -,
an expression ofinfinitc sadness.
You are woman and q beautiful one
II am JewesS and a Jewess in this I'm
happy country Is accounted little infer
ior to the dogs"
Love has no creed" lie replied. g
"a fatal love, fatal love she moanec
with herself.
"You speak a riddle" he said. AZ h
aursed her hand and looked with q gred
yearning into her distressful lace.
1T nuet remain riddle. l have n
answer But do YOU, forget you are til
son Of Peter AleIieif2'
Il do not forget"
"And Peter Alcxietfi is an uncomproml
Ing foe ofmy people"
THAT do remember also"
And Peter Alexieif has ruined an
. crushed my father"
would to God knew it not" he mu
: INJURED hanging his head as II in shame
And on my shoulders still bear Il
morks oftlie beating which was admin
tered to me by Peter Alexieffs orders.
"Rachel! RACHEL" exclaimed Ivan. u,
able longer to keep his feelings und
check. ~ am not accountable for my +
theirs deeds. Nature has made ME his so
put nature hasnot given me his dispositio
E ! have served you. In the hour OF dang
proved my devotion. Thall curse II
tsther and swear in the name OF Heav.
e that will lacknowledre him no more2 r
nae how you will, for + ami your slave, al
:. the slave must obey. You have blind,
: NE. Give me your hand and lead me whe
n you will. even though it be to eternal d
}. struction."
|. |. Destruction may await lis BOTH" s.
J. answered sadly.
e not" 'i,''''''
e I'VE will 90 forward then together, a,
y. yet never forget that l tried to dissua
q you, and warned you OF what might ha
y pen."
a ~ shall forget nothing"
ID cantiy. '''>'' - '''''
Not even my OATH"
1t was tho day after this conycrsati
that he said to her.
/. Rachel, is it not possible that you @
IS become my wife before we set forward
le our journey
d NO, it is not possible" she answcre
st with unusual emphasis.
" sigh. N "'''
ID II know not. Certainly not before v
Is have made the sacrifice you have sworn
make at NV y