The San Francisco call., 1904-06-26
CHAPTER V.
SEE WITHOUT BEING SEEN.

I SEE WITHOUT BEING SEEN.
The following day I assembled the
steps Of the Bialnick mansion with
quivering heart. A footman immedl-
ately answered my ring. ushered me
into q sumptuously furnished room'
and disappeared with my card.
A few minutes later side door
opened. Katial At sight Of her
trembled so that I could hardly keep
my feet Katiai Kara az lastl The
same Katia, but so grown. so changed
In my dreams Of her all these years I
had always seen her as q slight girl in
a short frock, with her hair hanging
down her back. Now she stood before
me a young woman The slight figure
had matured; her gown swept the
floor; the luxurious hair was coiIed at
the back OF her head. But her lumi-
nous eyes, Of no particular color, but
rather a mixture OF many colors, were
the same. and her soft smile vas the
same, for she was smiling at sone-
thing when she came IN, and I could
see she was as graceful, as sweet as
ever.
I steadied myself with my hands up
on the back OF a chair, and wondered If
she would recognize me. But I had
changed in the years Of our separation
more than she had. She greeted me as
an absolute stranger.
rs this Mr.. Russakoff?" she asked in
her low, sweet voice.
1 acknowledged my name with q bow.
/ could not trust myself TO speak. But
I Immediately gained control Of myself
and we proceeded TO business.
After We had arranged the hours Of
instruction, price and books, I re-
marked: 7 ought TO inform you, per-
haps, at the outset, that I am Jew.
Perhaps you have objections TO my
race? p"
prises me-" she answered. Why. my
father is known as friend of the Jews.
AS TO myself here she laughed softly
and blush crept down her neck-"ny
dearest playmate when I was a little
girl was a Jewish boy
At this the control I was trying so
hard 10 maintain almost left me.
gripped myself and said with show of
calmness: 7 did not know how you
felt; some people are so narrow minded
and so prejudiced"; and I told her of
my recent experience.
That is a shamei" she cried indig-
nantly. And then. as if TO express her
feeling. she added: 1T is, Of course,
natural for me TO like the Jews on ac-
count Of my early intimacy"
For a moment I was tempted 70 dis
close my identity, but obeyed the ad-
vice Of prudence to remain unknown.
I soon left her and repaired imme-
diately TO my scantily furnished room.
She recalled our early romance as a
mere childish fancy. while with me it
had matured into a deep-rooted affec-
ton. now realized more than ever
how deeply I loved her.
But what a gulf there was now be-
tween US. We were no longer boy and
girl, told myself, with the natural
impulses of childhood. She was now a
charming woman OF high social posi-
ton. and Ia vagabond, q poor devil
Of q student, with nothing to inspire
or charm her. True. she had called me
brother when I was a mere tramp, a
wandering little gypsy. but that was
many years ago; true, she still remem-
bered me, but 10 her I was only a
pleasant memeory. That was all was
TO her-a pleasant memory-a bit OF
recollection OF playful childhood.
This change OF thought brought the
images OF her father ana my father TO
my mind. I shuddered-the blood OF
Judge Bialnick was flowing in her
veins. The consciousness of my race,
OF my faith Qittle as II was), of the
duty I owed to my innocent father,
stirred my blood and woke my calm
nature. I ought to think only OF
vengeance. 1 ought to abandon my
wild plan and see Kstia no more!
But when the decision was half made
my heart was torn with anguish and an
irresistible desire to see her-just to see
her and hear the cadence OF her voice
again-that and no more; Just to be
near her and feel her presence-nothing
further; just to be her teacher without
ever breathing to her the secret Of my
heart-that was all I wished