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Updated: June 18, 2025
"I agree with you, Kathinka," answered the Rabbi, stroking his daughter's long curls, "and it is far from my thoughts to see you united to any man you do not truly love. In former days the system of marrying through the agency of a match-maker undoubtedly possessed great advantages.
"Read it, my child; it is for you," sobbed the poor man. "Read it and decide," and he handed the letter to his daughter, while the tears ran down his cheeks. Kathinka, with varied emotions, opened out the paper and read the contents. The note was as follows: BELOVED KATHINKA: You will justly reproach me for having remained silent so long, but do not attribute it to a waning of my affection.
"You will then be twenty-four years old, Kathinka, and will be obliged to marry a poor man. Had you not better consider before refusing Goldheim? He is wealthy and quite learned." "I do not care for him," replied the girl, quietly but with decision. "You married father for love, did you not?" "Yes," said Mendel, replying for his wife.
Thank God, there was a champion for Kathinka. Mikail the priest elbowed his way through the dense mass of maddened humanity and with eyes wilder and face more haggard than before, he approached the shrieking girl. With a cry of fury, he fell upon Loris and endeavored to tear him from his victim. Loris was for a moment too astonished to offer any resistance.
Kathinka tried in vain to pass him; then, pausing, with heaving bosom, she cried: "What do you mean, sir? Have you no manhood left, that you molest a defenceless woman?" "Listen to me but a moment," answered Loris, passionately; "and then go your way if you will. I have been following your footsteps for the last two weeks, desiring, yet fearing, to speak to you.
"But, my dear child," said the Rabbi, thoughtfully; "tell me why you refuse Goldheim? He is a fine-looking young man, of a rich and respected family, and will make you a good husband." Kathinka arose and, crossing to her father, put her arms lovingly about his neck.
"And that is why he requested me to speak to his parents and obtain their consent to his pursuing a course of study, and that is why you took such an interest in his welfare and were so pleased when I told you that he had been admitted to the University." "Yes," answered Kathinka, with radiant face. "Do you know how long it will take before he has finished his course?
Kathinka, Recha, come quickly," he cried, running to the door leading to an adjoining apartment. "Bring some brandy." Kathinka was not long in coming, and unmindful of his appearance, with a cry of joy, she fell upon Joseph's bosom and kissed him rapturously. "Oh, Joseph, I am so happy!" murmured the girl. "Are you free, entirely free?" Joseph gasped for breath. He could not speak.
Fear for his beloved gave the young man almost superhuman strength. Seizing in his right hand a cudgel which was lying on the ground, while his left arm still supported Kathinka, he hewed a passage through the ranks. Eight men lay sprawling upon the ground and their companions retreated before the telling blows of Joseph's club.
"If I should meet him again and he should again force his attentions upon me, what could I do?" sighed Kathinka, nervously. "For the present do not venture out unless with me or Joseph. We must inform Kierson of this matter at once. He has doubtless frequent opportunities of seeing this young Count and can keep his eyes on him.
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