The San Francisco call., 1904-07-03


idence that put us asunder because
am Jew and she a Christian?" /
brooded superstitiously. But instantly
my deep love for Katia filled me with
different thoughts. What do the
terms Christian and Jew denote, after
all? love nature; / love art; | love
humanity. What can any religion teach
me in addition to these principles?
Thus unused till the cheerful morn
ing sun dispersed the misty shroud that
lowered about me. 1 then put on my
best clothes and repaired to Judge Bal
nick, whose address Gavniack had
given me. l found it to be fashion
able residence on Madison avenue.
l rang the bell and a servant ap-
peared almost instantly.
Is Judge Bialnick in?" / asked.
Yes. Who shall / say wants to see
him?"
"A gentleman from Kieff," 1 replied
evasively.
The servant disappeared, and a mo-
ment later returned and showed me
into small library. In a large leather
arm chair sat a feeble looking, white
haired man, with a bloodless face. He
rose to greet me, but he evidently did
not recognize me. AS l came close to
him, however,. he stretched out both
his hands, and flood of cheer seemed
to spread over his palIid countenance.
''Russakoff!" he cried.
w mere have you kept yourself?" I
asked when the first gathering was
over, anxious for some reference to
katia. Il searched with torches
through every country in Europe and
could not find a trace of you."
We stayed in Switzerland and
france most of the time he answered
IN very weak voice, but 1 finally de-
clded TO end my days in this great land
Of freedom
And Katia?" 1 asked with a throb-
bing heart.
you from Katia!' he exclaimed, smil-
ing broadly.
He summoned a servant. Tell
hata gentleman from Kieff is here"
Ihen turning to me, he said with
the joy of a child playing a prank
upon another: You hide yourself be-
hind that curtain. Let me break the
news to her"
/ secreted myself as he desired be-
hlnd curtain that hung in the door
way connecting the library with an
other room and waited her coming
with my eyes at the curtains edge.
Presently she appeared. She was
dressed all in black. AS 1 gazed at
her through eyes blinded with warm
tears l thought she looked like a
Queen in exile. She was the same
katia-a trifle thinner, q trif1e paler,
but even more sweetly beautiful than
when fate swept us apart several
years before.
A gentleman from Kieff was here a
while ago" the Judge said in answer
to her questioning glance about the
room: He will be back soon. Guess
who he ISL
She shook her head, and, smiling
Sa6lV ancWara6. asIJnuy
father? We had so many friends in
Kief."
The gentleman" the old man con-
tinued playfully, told me he had met
DR.. Russakoff-he is doctor now
L clenched the curtain feverishly.
She started, trembled, and her color
began to come and go.
A-What-a-' she uuaVered.
Come. my SOUL He slipped his
arm about her and drew her down
upon the arm of his chair. What
would you give if 1 should bring him
here-at once?" he asked softly, NOV
ing his weak eyes in the direction of
my concealment.
Katia caught her father around the
cheek. "Oh, father, don't trifle with
me! Do you know anything"
Would it not be great" he con-
tinued. ''if, as in Arabian tales, / could
produce him here by the mere men
tioning of his name? Let me raise
my wand and
I could not stand this fairy tale
nonsense longer, and throwing the
curtain aside, 1 strode to the middle
of the room.
"Katial" / cried.
She sprang to her feet and turned
about. Judge Bailnick slipped out of
the room.
"Katia!" I cried again, the longing
Of four years in my voice
She opened her arms wide to me. rs
rael! Oh, Israeli" she murmured, as 1
clasped her to my breast