The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-09-24
els she pretty?
beautiful, young and rich"

a strldent and hldcous laugh escaped
from Herma's lips.
"Will you shed tear for me, only
one, If die for you," said Edgar, "and
if avenge you and kill him"
"No, Edgar, you must not sacrifice
yourself, not yo,,-"
"N1ust that villain be left unpunish-
ed?"
"Certainly not" she replied tranquil
ly and firmly.
'"Then let me kill him." said Edgar,
with trembling lips.
"No," said HERNIA, leave him to
me-"
The next day Prince Maniasko was
sitting i'll the charming little boudoir of
his bride and rolling n cigarette for her,
when the princess, with mocking smile
expressed her wish to see once tho cole
brated lion-tamcr who was so much adj
mired by everybody.
'How can such M idea come into
your head" said the Prince, and the
cigarette trembled in his hands, and the
yellow tobacco slipped from between his
white fingers.
81 have heard so many marvels about
this person TINT have taken it into my
head to be present at one of her Der
formances and that, too, this evening,
and i'll your company, Prince"
When HERNIA entered the cage that
evening she saw Maniasko, md Mt his
side ravishing creature, who fixed her
opera glass upon her in provoking MAIL
ncr. She felt it and started, but only
for single moment, and then began
her feats with the hons with her accus-
toned naughty GOODNESS. When, after
Il successful feat, she reclined on the
back of the big lions, while the others
walked around her in procession, the
princess cried loudly, "bravo," and
threw purse of gold into the cnge. a
murmur OF disapproval rose among the
spectators. HERNIA began to tremble,
and tears flowed from her beautiful
eyes; she lost entire control over herself
and over the animals that surrounded
her; the big lion raised his hend, looked
at her with astonishment, and suddenly
gripped her left arm. A cry of horror
sprang from q hundred mouths, but
HERNIA had already recovered herself Il
look and command, and tho lion
loosencd her arm she sprnng up, seized
the beast by the name, placed her foot
Oh him, and lashed him until he was
completely subjected and lay docile Mt
her feet.
Enthusiastic applause nnl Shouts Of
appreciation rewarded her courage.
"When will the wedding take place ?"
she asked Of Edgar, when she left the
stage.
"The day after Tomorrow"
"Will you undertake to give him II
letter yourself, and to him in person 2"
eff you command me-"
II bog you to do so |" HERNIA pressed
Edgar's hand, but he seized hers and
covered it with kisses.
The next morning tho lion tanner wrote
to the Prince. She wished to see him
only once more, md begged him to come
to the menagerie Mt the usual hour pro-
missing in return to leave Bucharest on
the day of his wedding. Edgar gave the
letter to the Prince himself, who read
it, smiled, and said : "I will come"
An hour before midnight the Prince
appeared at the little back door of the
menagcrie; it opened noiselessIy rs
usual. HERNIA appeared, dressed in q
short fur jacket, in the pale light of the
stars and snow. She took him by the
hand and led him cautiously along the
dark passage. AS usual second door
grated Oh its hinges, and HERNIA, lead
ing tho Prince into that completely
dark space, put her arms around his
neck and kissed him with savage tender
ness.
Then she suddenly disappeared tho
door was shut violently, and tho Princes
foot touched something living which
moved. What was it? Had she not
as usual led him into her little salon
A moment afterwards bright red
light appeared, HERNIA fixed torch in
ring IN front Of the lions cage, and in
the midst of the prison, in the midst of
the lions, was the Prince. HERNIA stood
with her arms folded before the bars,
and fixed the Prince coldly with hor
large blue eyes diabolic smile played
on her lips.
The Prince, with rapid movement,
tried to open the door, but in vain.
"In Heavens name, HERNIA, what is
your intention ?"
81 am celebrating my marriage with
you, and my lions are to be the wed,.ing
guests.
care you mad ?"
'T am in full possession of my senses.
You have betrayed me. Now to work,
my friends en- auauntt" And she
woke up the sleeping lions md excited
them with her whip, while the Prince
cried for help. But his cries were
drowned by the wintry storm. The
lions, irritatcd and encouraged by
Herma's cries, sprang upon him. His