The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-03-03

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.
The next day Prince Maniasko was sit
ting in the charming little boudoir of
his bride, and rolled 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, 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 that I have taken it into my
head to be present Mt one of her appear
ances, and that, too, this evening, and
in your company, Prince"
When HERNIA entered the cage that
evening she saw Maniasko, and at his
opera classes on her IN provoking man.
ner. She felt it aud started, but only
for a single moment, and then began
her feats with the lions with her accus-
toned naughty GOODNESS. When, after a
successful feat, she reclined on the back
of one of the big lions, while the others
walked round her in procession, the
princess cried loudly, Bravo" and
threw purse of gold into the cage. A
murmur of disapproval rose from among
the spectators. HERNIA began to trem-
BILE. and tears flowed from her beautiful
eyes; she lost empire over herself and
over the animals that surrounded her;
the big lion raised his head, looked at
her in establishment and suddenly grip
ped her left arm. A cry of horror
sprang from a hundred mouths, but
HERNIA had already recovered herself; a
| look and command and the lion let go
her arm; she sprang up, seized the beast
| by the name, placed her foot upon him,
and dashed him until he was completely
subjected and lay docile at her feet.
Enthusiastic applause and shouts OF
appreciation rewarded her courage.
"When will the wedding take place 2"
she asked of Edgar, when she had left
the cage.
THE day after tomorrow.
"Wiil you undertake to give him let
ter yourself, and to him in person."
'If you command me"
II beg you to do so = HERNIA pressed
Edgars hand. but he seized hers and
covered it with kisses.
The next morning the lion tanner wrote
to the prince. She wished to see him
only once more. and begged HIM to come
to the menagerie at the usual hour,
promising 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, Il will come"
An hour before midnight the prince
appeared at the little back door of the
menagerie it opened noiselessly as
usual. HERNIA appeared, dressed in a
short fur jacket, in the pale light OF the
stars and the snow. She took him by
the hand and led him cautiously along
the dark passage. As usual second
door grated on its hinges, and HERNIA,
leading the prince into that completely
dark space, put her arms round his neck
and kissed him with savage tenderness.
Then she suddenly disappeared the
door was shut violently. and the princes
foot touched something living, which
moved. What was it? Had she not as
usual led him into her little salon?
A moment afterwards a 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 her
large blue eyes diabolic smile played
on her lips.
The Prince. with a rapid movement
tried to open the door, but in vain.
I'm heavens name, HERNIA, what is
your intention q
81 am celebrating my marriage with
you, and my lions are to be the wedding
guests"
"Are you mad?"
81 am in full possession of my senses.
You have betrayed me. L have con-
demned you to death. Now to work. my
friends, en- avant - And she woke up
the sleeping lions and excited them with
her whip. while Prince cried for help.
But his cries were drowned by the wintry
storm. The lions, irritated and encour
aged by Herma's cries, sprang upon him.
His blood was already flowing. He sup
plicated and defended himself desper-
ately. while she, her face leaning against
the cold bars. feasted her eyes on his
mortal anguish.
Some time passed before the lions had
| finished their horrible work. When the
Prince lay deal on the floor of the den,
| the lions skunk away frightened and be-
gan to lick their bloody paws.
That very night the beautiful lion
| tanner disaupeared from Pncharest and