The Dickinson press., 1892-09-17

US s'!'':i! =
Aud this repetition irritated Ivan, though
he hated Moshka with q hatred that could
not be expressed by words.
So far his visit to Arama's house and
his interview with Rachel had been kept
secret from his people; at least, he hvped
and believed so; for. though he had shown
he dreaded the consequences Of his father
coming to know. But he had forgotten
how his tather's spies were everywhere;
and had his hot love allowed him a little
time for cool reflection he must have fore
seen thai soone or later his secret would
pass that one evening, when he returned
to his home, q messenger babe him repair
to his fathers presence. He obeyed the
command, and when he looked at his faith.
err he must Immediately have felt that q
storm OF yiolence was about to burst:
man, with cruelty writ large upon his
countenance. Such thin, drawn lips, and
such cold, watchtul eyes were never seen
i'll connection with a humane and genial
disposition. Peter Alexetf combined with
the purring, docile,. cringing nature of the
claws, but lie kept them embedded in fur,
and he had q beak that could tear out the
heart of his enemy. This is tigura-
tive language. but it aptly describes
Peter ,Alexieffs disposition. He had
climbed dnI, eSsr to pow wbo by yo s5nm HaTs n into the
him; and if any such thing as pity had
ever held a place in his breast he must long
ago have plucked it out bv the roots and
cas-, it from him. Peter Alexieff was pitt
less!
He was in his own sphere a petty king.
As chief of the Administrative Bureau OF
Police he had tremendous power in his
hands, and he used that power like a
tyrant and a despot. He had thousands of
mel subject to his beck and nod. and his
spies were scattered through Europe. He
who thirsted for his blood. and SO he was
ever surrounded with a bodyguard OF SER
vile creatures whom he believed were de.
voted to him. Perhaps they were, for
knowing that his ii e depended on the
taithtulness of his henchmen, he treated
decessor in office had been treacherously
assassinated, and Peter. when lie came
to power-which was only little
short ofthat welded by the Gar himself
resolved to avoid the errors that brought
ABOUT tnaC predecessor Qeath.
As Ivan entered the room his father eyed
him with a %sternness that plainly indicated
what was coming.
"The pride ofmy race seems not to dwell
in you," he began, "since you have so far
gotten WI; is due to me and your kins-
men as 10 spend your time in the company
''Your spies. sir, seem to do their duty
we'll, 7" remarked Ivan. with a faint suspi-
cion of a sneer in his tone.
my spies would cease to be my spies
ifthey did not" returned his father. "But
do you deny or con- css the report true?"
ut is quite true"
This bold answer caused the fire of pas
sion to leap INFO Peter Alexieff's eyes. and
as he struck the table violently with the
palm of his hand he exclaimed
"You must be mad, or you would not
dare to tell ms this to my face.'' "But
there, there; the mere dalliance with a Jew
and blood. much as l hate the whole race
o accused unhelievers. "But-"
"Let me correct your mistake, sir" in.
terrupted Ivan. 1T is not dalliance on my
part. l seek to make Rachel Arama my
wife"
His father leaned back in his chair aghast. !
The power ofspeech was almost taken from
him by this daring and startling
ment.
Now do 1 know that you are mad" he
cried ct last.
"No, l am not mad, father"
Better ten thousand times for you that
you were" said his father fiercely, "for
then would l pity you. But since you are
not mad you are dangerous. Know you, |
sir, that were you to bring O Jewess into
my family 1 should feel that we were con-
taminated, tainted. and accursed, even as
the whole Jewish race is accursed. No, Ivan
Alexietf, this thing shall not be while an |
oubliette remains in St. Peter and Paul"
A pcrceptible look of concern swept over
VANS face. and it did not escape his faith
er's keen eyes. The youth had not thought
push his power to such IN extreme as to
immune him in one of the dreadful dun
geons of the dread fortress. But now he
saw at once, that if the dark threat were
carried, his father would rave no difficulty
could he doubt for a moment, Knowing his
fathers nature as he did, that he would
not hes tate to take even such an extreme
step as that, rather than have his dcspotic
will thwarted. Nevertheless, he answered
boldly. after some reflection
Your power to fulfil your threat I do
maj who had suffered martyrdom for
loves sake"
"Bah!" exclaimed Peter Alexief with q
long drawn sneer. You must surely be
possessed offs devil ifyou talk of being in
love with a Jewess."
"Bu know you not, father, that Rachel
Arama is one OF the most beautiful women
i'll st. Petersbura?"
beautiful! A snake may be beautiful,
but you wouldn't love it. But let the
%handying of words cease. 1 have spoken. |
This madness of yours must be cured.
Go out into the streets and pick up the
mot abandoned creature you can find and
make her your wife and I will forgive you.
But to speak of marrying a Jewess-Ughl I
shudder at the very thought. My hatred
for the whole Jewish race l drew in with
my mothers milk She hated them, and
1 should be unworthy of her ii l did other
wise. Put the thought of Rachel Arama
ont of your head, or dread the consequent
ccs. l have said my say. Now go.
Hank ye, though, do not attempt to defy
me-"
Ivan did go. He was glad to get away,
Tor he knew that if he argued for hours he
would meyer altar his fathers views. And
yet. in spite of the danger that threatened
Inn, lie had no intent OF OF giving Rachel
up. She had enslaved him. and he was
powerless TO set himself free. But
was content TO remain her slave
for all time. Leastways, that was his
thought.
As soon as Ivan had let the Chief of
Police struck a bell, and Immediately q
panel slid back in the wall, and a MAJ
stepped n the room and made a military
salute-a dark-browed, vicious-looking
man. with the cunning of h serpent mani