Stephens City star. (Stephens City, Va.) 1881-1883, 1881-10-22

tered the cage, and when she left it she
stamped her foot if the prince was not
there to help her on with her cloak.
But that was all the prince could
obtain, and the more untractable she
showed herself to his prayers, the more
he was urged on by diabolical desire
to possess her. An unexpected rival
came to his aid. Edgar said to HERNIA
one night with a trembling voice be-
fore she entered the cage.
"Until now l thought you we're my
fathers mistress, and have not spoken
now tell you love you, and will
never consent to your lowering your.
self with that Boyard who is already
affianced to princess, and who is only
making sport of you"
"It is true that you have a faacee"
"It is true" he replied "but as
soon as you please 1 will put stop to
that tiresome romance, and prostrate
myself at your feet as your slave"
"But you do not love me?'
Chow must prove that I love you ?"
She drew her self up before him.
'Come an hour before midnight to
the little door of the menagerie," she
said in low voice and with courage
Gus resolution.
81 will come" was the reply.
And he came and when he left the
menagerie in the midst of the shades
of night, two straining arms were
around his neck and two burning lips
were pressed against his own.
Soon the talk in the clubs were of
nothing but the haison of Maniasko
with the beautiful lion tanner, and the
young princes father, anxious for the
future of his son, hastened as much as
possible his marriage with the Princess
Agrafine Slobuda, to whom he had been
aflianced when he was child. A vio-
lent scene took place between the
father and the son at last the latter
yelled, aud one night he did not ap-
pear at the menagerie.
HERNIA passed a night of anguish.
Two evenings she again waited in vain
for her lover; then she worte to him
and received no answer.
The fourth night rs she was coming
out of the cage and wrapping herself
in her cloak, Edgar said to her,
"Herma, shall I tell you why the
wretch comes no longer?"
"Tell me-" she said in smothering
voice. 81 am ready for everything"
"He will be married in three days"
"You lie."
"Why should I lie ?"
"What is the name of his bride ?"
"Princess Agrafine Slobuda."
"Is she pretty?"
beautiful, young and rich"
A strident and hideous laugh broke
from Herma's lips.
"Will you shed tear for me, one
only, if die for you?" said Edgar.
"And if I avenge you and kill him"
mo, Edgar you must not sacrifice
yourself-not you"
"Must that william be left unpun-
ished ?"
Certainly not" she replied, tran
gully and firmly.
"Then let me kill him." said Edgar,
with trembling lips.
"No," said HERNIA, "leave him to me" 4"
The next day Prince Minaasko was
sitting in the charming little boudoir of
his bride and rolling cigarette for her,
when the princess, with mocking
smile, expressed her wish to see once
the celebrated lion tanner who was so
much admired by everybody.
"How can such an idea come into
your head ?' asked the prince, and the
yellow tobacco slipped from between
his white fingers.
81 have heard SO many marvels about
this person that have taken it into my
head to be present at one of her perfor-
mences, and that, too, this evening, and
in your company, prince"
When HERNIA entered the cage that
evening she saw Maniasko, and at his
side ravishing creature, who fixed her
opera-glass upon her in a provoking
manner. She felt it and started, but
only for single moment, and then
began her feats with the lions with her
accustomed naughty GOODNESS. When
after successful feat she reclined on
the back of one of the big lions, while
the others walked round her in process
sion, the princess cried loudly "brave,' u
and threw purse of gold into the cage.
A murmur of disapproval rose from
among the spectators. HERNIA began to
tremble, and tears flowed from her
beautiful eyes; she lost empire over
herself and over the animals that sur.
rounded her; the big lion raised his
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