* * * *

"Well, good morning, Miss Rachael, junior partner; how is the firm
business coming on? What must we take up first? You have been with me
more than five years and it's always a smile and a pleasant word. You
are twenty-five and not married. Some one of your race and faith is very
slow finding out what a fine wife you would make. My mother was after me
today, saying; 'John, you must get married; you are nearly thirty;' and
I said; 'mother, if I do, I guess it will be Mary, or Rachael.' You
don't know Mary, and I doubt if I would if I met her; I have not seen
her for five years."

"Mr. Cornwall, there's lots of mail to answer and in an hour you are to
take depositions in the Asher case."

"Rachael you are too practical. Why don't you let me love you. I am
convinced that with just a little encouragement I would propose. It's
time we both were married. We have never had a quarrel in all these
years. I am worth twenty-five thousand and have a good business. You can
have everything you want. Why not, Rachael?"

"That's just why I am practical; to keep my head and my place; I like
the work.--Yes, you can hold my hand if you wish and kiss me just once.
But if you ever try it again, I must return to Louisville. Were you of
my race and faith, you would not have to ask me twice. I hope when I do
marry the man will be much like you; but he must be a Jew. We are a
scattered people, without flag or country; yet a proud nation, seeking
no alliances with other people. Your religion, founded on my faith,
holds mine in both reverence and abhorrence. We have different sacred
and fast days. I must eat other foods. We follow different customs in
rearing our children. If I should marry you I must become a stranger to
my own people and will be despised by yours. I will bring neither riches
nor position and, like Ruth of old, must turn my back upon my own
people. Thy people are not my people. For this time I will call you
John, and again say it cannot be. I am crying; Oh! please! please let's
work!"

CHAPTER X.

MARY AND JOHN ARE MARRIED.

About two weeks after Caleb Saylor and Rosamond were married, John
Cornwall left Harlan on a business trip for Boston and Pittsburgh. As he
had never gone east over the C. & O., he concluded to travel that route,
boarding the train at Winchester.

His intention was to travel direct to Boston, where he was to make
settlement with the executors of the estate of Giu