The San Francisco call., 1904-07-03


The myriads of candles were suddenly
extinguished and palpable darkness
pervaded the very atmosphere of the
church. Suddenly. as from the mouth
Of a volcano, a streak or fame leaped
from the ground. which had been oc-
cupied by the audience. By its light
noticed before me priests in robes
like clergymen with big cruciflxes in
their hands cropping about in darkness.
They all came forward to the flame
and threw fagots from a pile that lay
close by. The fame turned into a big
blaze. The priests lifted their voices
and chanted religious hymns above the
noisy cracking. Their song was me-
lodious. devotional, sad. Groans
reached my ears; 1 turned. An old
man with long, silvery beard and hair
and n beautiful maiden with arms
clinging around his neck were brought
before the fire. The maiden's massive
luxuriant black hair mingled with the
old mans white beard, and their tears
streamed down together. They lifted
their eyes heavenward, and the blaze
lighted up their contrasting counte-
nances-his marred by old age and sor-
row, hers blooming ana sweet. The
patriarch uttered in a weird voice,
that echoed far and wide: Hear, o
Israel! God our Lord, God is one"
Then he exchanged kisses with the
maiden by his side. and their tears
flowed in one stream. "Yahweh is one"
both repeated.
A murmur Of surprise passed from
priest to priest. Then again every
man and the maiden were led to the
rising flames. The fagots cracked
louder and louder, the flames rose
higher and higher, the priests sang and
chanted with more devotion. and a
weird voice answered: "Yahweh is
one"
I opened my eyes. I found my land
lady standing at the foot OF the bed, a
trife frightened.
Mr.. Russakoff," she explained, Il
wondered what could have happened
TO you. Ten o'clock and you were not
UP yet. 1 sent up my little girl and she
said the door was unlocked and you
were asleep in your clothes. You have
looked a little melancholy Of late, and
I thought God knows what has hap
pened to you. You must have had
bad dreams, for you were crying in
your sleep when I came in. But crying
in sleep is a sign of JOY"
/ tried to remember what had hap
pened to me the night before, but all
that remember was that I began to
undress myself. l thought of Katia
and of my obligation to meet her this
morning, but the memory of my dream
chilled my brain. However, my rea-
son predominated. and /. said to my
self as I prepared to go to my beloved,
'Traume sind Schaume," and tried to
Danish the vision from my mind.
paced the room with the towel in my
hands, wiping my face and laughing at
my own superstition. Dreams are the
fruit of idle brains" 1 murmured; yet
the one / had just experienced contin-
ued to annoy me. and my heart beat
like a sledge-hammer. Finally 1 con-
quered my superstition and set out to
visit Katia
She met me in the hall. finger on
lips. "S-h. Papa is waiting in the re-
cepticn-room," she whispered. Il told
him of our engagement, but I did not
tell him who you were. At first he was
surprised. but 1 soon brought him
around to my way of thinking. He
said he would have to give US his
blessing, since I loved you so much"
She clasped my arm tightly. and so we
went into the reception room.
Judge Bialnick did not look particu-
larly pleased. but nevertheless he re-
ceived me almost cordially.
Since Katia has chosen you it must
be for the best" he said, placing one
Of his trembling hands upon my shoul-
der. II know my Katia would choose
only the right cne''
He drew her within his other arm
and kissed her.
I shivered at his touch. The peculiar
incidents of my dream appeared before
me. Something within me wanted to
throw his hand from my shoulder and
cry out Murderer" But / controlled
myself and stood quietly with my eyes
down while he wished US all happiness.