The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1916-04-21

"Cbrlst
Is Risen"
Hn 6aeter Story


- N. the Church Of st. Vastly, stu.
ated in the fashionable quarter
Of Moscow, the majority Of the
Easter worshipers were men
and women who belonged to the "gen.
try" But the servants and artisans
and clerks mingled freely among their
lords and principals, for on this morn
ing all were brothers and sisters.
A little to n side, at the foot of the
coffin containing the image which Is al.
ways used in the Easter rites, q young
girl vas supporting on her arm an old
woman. The girls face was pale but
radiant with a spiritual alteration. Her
large blue eyes were fixed upon space:
her lips were slightly parted. Not far
away a young man leaning against a
pillar stood statuelike with his eyes
fixed upon the girl. he, too, was pale,
but his eyes shone with alteration of
things not altogether spiritual.
Slowly the faint dawn shone through
the stained glass windows, dimming
the lights Of the blinking candles. Sud-
denly the organ pealed forth a joyous
tone, a chorus Of voices Numbered out
the words, Christ has arisen" There
was an instant hush among the wor.
shippers, and then one and all answered
joyously:
BLESSED are we! Christ has indeed
arisen!'
The young girl at the foot of the cof-
fin turned to her mother, exclaiming
joyously, Mother, Christ has arisen,''
and with her pretty lips still parted
she impaired the triple kiss upon her
mothers cheeks and mouth.
The young man approached her tim
idly.
Fedora" he said in a soft, pleading
voice, 'let us rejoice"
She looked up at him with that same
impersonal gaze in her eyes and smiled
at him as If in blessing. Eyes, let US
rejoice, for Christ has indeed arisen,'
she answered softly, lifting her face
to him. He bent over her, and they
exchanged the triple kiss mechanically.
"And now that u hearts are purged.
Fedora, l ask you to forgive me. Let
u quarrel end in peace" he pleaded.
The girl flushed, and for a moment,
the ardor awakened by her religious
transports dimmed, her lips pouted.
"Ivan,' she said, after a moment Of in
decision;;s II do forgive you. Mother
wishes It.. Is It not so?" She turned
to her mother.
Ivan silently exchanged the triple
kiss with the mother.
"But. Fedora" he said, turning again.
to the girl. ut is not only for today
you have forgiven me, is it? I cannot
bear to think that"
Again the girls brow clouded. She
closed her eyes and crossed herself as
If she had not heard him.
Fedora and her mother walked slow.
~ to the end of the sidewalk, where
their carriage awaited them. Ivan fol-
lowed eagerly. as IL fearful Of losing
the opportunity Of saying more toward
the reconciliation. Before entering the
carriage Fedora divided the contents
Of her purse among the beggars who
lined the walk. Her mother smiled.
Fedora" faltered Ivan. you are so
kind to the beggars., will yon not be
kind to me tool"
II have given all my money away
she answered, with a bit of roguish-
ness In her smile.
He flung his purse to. the beggars.
''You know that I want to know only
IL we are to be friends again." he said.
Don't speak Of it now" Fedora an
swered quickly.
Come home with us to breakfast"
said the mother, seeing the look of pain
In the young mans eyes.
He questioned the girl with his eyes.
EYES," she said. come with us.
There is room in the carriage" He en-
tered. dizzy with happiness. They rode
on in q silence that vas broken only
by the remarks Of the mother about
the service at the church.
When the carriage stopped before
her imposing residence Fedora alighted
quickly and vanished into the house.
leaving her mother to Ivan's care.
BE of good cheer. Ivan," the mother
said. I'VE breakfast in twenty min
utes. Meanwhile make yourself at
home either in the house or in the gar.
den. You know the place so WELL"
AS Ivan walked through these old
paths all the doubts and fears and
hopes played again in his heart. Sud.
denly he forgot his anxiety. Fedora
was beside him, q white lily in her
hand. She had changed her gown.