The San Francisco call., 1904-06-26

Again there was silence. / quivered
with delight at the introduction Of my
old self What became Of this early
friend2" I asked at length.
She flushed slightly and twirled the
chain OF her crucifix.
He ran away. He was too sensitive.
In that respect he was also like you"
Il suppose he felt guilty OF some
wrong. Sensitive people cannot bear
their own wrongs. though they can
tolerate the same wrongs in others
I rejoined.
mo. 1t was I who was to blame for
it all" She flushed again. Il commit
ted the wrong and he was punished
My father was a little too harsh on
him"
Then she added: Il am inclined to
believe that my father was also very
fond of that boy. for he talked Of him
quite often. and of his purpose to edu-
cate him and make a great man Of him.
He was exceptionally bright"
And yet you drove him out Of your
house and forced him TO become a
vagrant, as he undoubtedly has be-
come" said, forgetting for the mo-
ment that 1 was supposed to know
nothing Of this incident.
She glanced at me in bewilderment
at these words. You are quite mis-
taken.' Mr.. Russakoff," she rejoined
somewhat confusedly. He ran away
voluntarily"
1 perceived that she was not aware
that / had been asked to leave, and
saw no reason for enlightening her.
After an awkward pause I said jeal-
ously: "It. Is unfortunate for two
young people of different stations IN
life to fall in love. 1t IS better that
they should be separated. Think OF
that Jewish boy''-I was smiling and
yet trembling-"now grown to man
hood and come to claim you"
1T would all depend" she replied.
looking down and lingering her cruci-
fix.
Yes. it would all depend on his be-
ing rich and famous and handsome %
I said bitterly.
"Oh. no. 1t would all depend on his
being the same as he had BEEN" she
said very softly. her face warm with
bushes. There is nothing specific We
love; we love something indefinable,
and we can only love as long as that
indefinable attraction exists"
But suppose I continued eagerly.
my eyes fixed intently upon her. your
early lover should come as a poor
student, nameIess. without a fortune.
and yet possessed Of that indefnable
something?"
She quivered perceptibly and turned
her eyes away from me, her breath
coming fast and short.
All my feelings Of unworthiness. all
my vows Of silence went to the winds.
1 leaned forward, on fire with love.
and caught her hand "Katia!"
whispered.
She started.
"Katia!" I implored. Don't you
know me?"
She trembIed. and her head sank
forward so that I could not see her
face.
"Katia-Ratia, I have lived for
years with one thought. one desire.
one hope-to find you. And at last
have found you-Katial"
Her breast rose and fell violently.
but she did not speak.
II am the same Israel-the Israel
who used to play with you-who used
to love you" I pressed her hand more
closely. Don't you remember-don't
you remember that afternoon when we
sat together? Don't you remember
your promise? Aren't you the same
Ratia who once loved me little-a lit
tie bit. at least?"
A hot tear splashed upon my wrist
"Katia," I cried. all my soul in that
one word.
I dropped to the floor beside her and
dared to touch her chin, with the inten-
tion of raising her head But it came
slowly up Of its own accord She
turned her glorious eyes, brimming
with tears. full upon me. and her face
threw open heaven to me.
"You-youl Oh. Israeli" she whis-
pered.