Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1881-02-25

HERNIA, the Llon-Tamer.
DY SACHER MAsOCH.


DY SACHER MAsOCH.
It was in the beginning of the year
1859 when the famous Harsberg me-
nagerie came to Bucharest for the first
time. All the town. was in state OF
great excitement about the number and
the rarity of the animals. the beauty OF
the lions, and above all about the
tanner, who performed some remarkable
feats of strength. HERNIA Dalstren was
her name; she was a young Swede,
beautiful, distinguished, bold and in
spproachable. 1t is true that she was
supposed to be the mistress of the
owner Of the menagerie; but the rich
Boyards who lavished homage upon her
in order to win her good graccs were
met only ty cold politeness and sar-
castle haughtiness which drove them
away. She lived with the Harsberg
family ut the first hotel in the town,
went to the menagerie and returned
from it in carriage; like a lady of high
degree. received no visits, and was never
seen alone either in the street or any
where else. This vestal severity puz-
zled the gallants as we'll as the ordinary
mortals, so that the Swedish lion tanner
soon became as popular at Bucharest as
La Catalina and Lola Montez.
One night Prince Maniasko, the spoilt
child of the ladies of Bucharest, who
had just returned from an excursion to
Paris, came to the menagerie. He re-
viewed the different animals in company
with some friends, was highly amused
by the explanations and by the feeding,
and last stopped before the lions cage
awaiting the arrival of the celebrated
Swede with skeptical smile on his
lips. Suddenly little door opened in
the back wall of the cage and HERNIA
appeared in the midst of frantic ap-
plause. She threw off with an indie
scribable movement of pride the large
silk cloak that covered her, and ad-
vanced into the cage dressed in q cos
tune of white satin bordered with
ermine, q whip in her hand, tall, slen-
der, with the noblest face in the world,
to which her golden curls and her fresh
color impaired an irresistible grace.
The Prince was ut once fascinated; he
followed each of her movements with
feverish agitation. His heart beat when
she placed her pretty head in the terri
BILE lions mouth, and he trembled, half
for pleasure, half for fear, when she
began TO. harangue the disobedient ami
mails and kick and fog them.
Hardly had HERNIA left the cage when
the Prince Maniasko was bowling down
before her while she put on her cloak
with the aid Of Edgar, Harsberg's son,
o young man of remarkable beauty.
She fixed her blue eyes, astonished and
almost frightened, upon that ideal of
. beautiful, almost feminine figure, she
did not reply to his questions proudly
and coldly, but with embarrassment
and with smile of indescribable sweet
ness.
The Prince came every night, and
HERNIA received him not only with affa-
bility, but she even looked for him with
Q rapid glance as soon as she entered
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 that the Prince could
obtain, and the more untractable she
showed hereH to his prayers. the more
he was urged on by diabolic desire
to possess her. An unexpected rival
came to his aid. Edgar said to HERNIA
one night with trembling voice before
she entered the cage, Cup till now I
thought you were my fathers mistress,
and have not spoken; now, tell You,
love you, and I will never consent to
your lowering yourself with that Boy.
ard who is already affianced to prin-
cess, and who is only making sport of
You" Vixen the Prince came to see
her after the performance, she said
to him in whisper, {" Is it true that
you have a Jfancee?"
1t is true," he replied, "but as
soon as you please will put an end to
that tiresome romance and PROSTATE
myself at your feet as your slave"
,"But you do not love me?"
"How must I prove that love you ?"
She drew herself up before him.
"Come an hour before midnight to
the little door Of the menagerie," she
said in low voice and with courageous
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 was of
nothing but of the laison of Maniasko
with the beautiful lion-tamer, and the
young Princes father, anxious for the
future OF his son, FASTENED as much as
possible his marriage with the Princess
Agrafne Slobuda, to whom he had been
affisnced when he was a child. A VIC
lent scene took place between the father
and the son; at last the latter yielded,
and one night he did not appear at the
menagerie.
HERNIA passed night OF anguish.
Two evenings she again waited in vain
for her lover; then she wrote TO him
and received no answer.
TIE fourth night, as she was coming
out Of the cage and wrapping herself in
her cloak. Edgar said to her, HERNIA,
shall tell you why the wretch comes
no 1onger?"
"Teil me-" she said, in q snaothered
voice. II am ready for everything"
she will be nlarried in three days"
"You lie."
"Why should 7 lie?'