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

Princess Agratinc Slobuda.'
is she pretty
Beautiful, young and rich
\ striient and hideous laugh escaped
from Hnrnla's lips.
"Will you shed a tear for me, one
only, if [ die for yon,' said Edgar
land if | avenge you ami kill him
| "No, Edgar, you must not sacrifice
yourself, not you,'
Must that villain be left. unpun
ished?"
Certainly not?' she replied, tran
gully and firmly.
"Then let me kill him. said E lgar,
with trembling lips.
| "No," said HERNIA, leave him to
me-"
The next day Prince Maniasko was
sitting in the charming little boudoir
of his bride and rolling a cigarette fol-
her, when the Princess, with mocking
smile, expressed her wish to Zee once
the celebrated lion-tamer 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 be-
tween his white fingers.
81 have heard so many marvels about
this person that l have taken it into
my head to be present at one of her
performances, and that, too, this even
ing, and in your company, Prince"
When HERNIA entered the cage that
evening she saw Maniasko, and at his
side q 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 be
gan her feats with the lions with her
accustomed naughty GOODNESS. When
after a successful feat she reclined on
The back of one of the big lions, while
the others walked around her in process
sion, 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 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
head, looked at her with establishment,
and suddenly crippled her left arm. A
cry OF horror sprang from hundred
mouths, but HERNIA had already recov-
cred herself; look and command :,
and the lion loosened her arm; she
sprapg up, seized the beast by the name,
placed her foot on him, and lashed him
until he was completely subjected and
lay docile at her feet.
Enthusiastic applause ana shouts Of
appreciation rewarded her courage.
"When will the wedding take place ?"
che asked Of Edgar when she had left
the cage.
"The day after tomorrow"
Will you undertake to give him q
letter yourself, and to him in person ? "
elf you command me-
81 beg you to do sol" HERNIA
pressed Edgar's hand, but he seized
hers and covered It with kisses.
The next morning the liontamer
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 Oh the day of his we'd
ding. Edgar gave the letter to the
Prince himself, who read it, smiled and
said: 81 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
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, a second
door grated on its hinges, and HERNIA,
leading the Prince into that completely
dark space, put her arms around his
neck and kissed him with savage ten
derness.
Then she 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 afterward bright red
light appeared. HERNIA fixed a torch
in q 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 behind the
bars, and fixed the Prince coldly with
her large blue eyes; diabolical 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 wedding
guests"
care you mad2"
81 am in full possession Of my
senses. You have betrayed me. I
have condemned you to death. Now to
work, my friends! en- aUant!" And
she woke up the sleeping lions and ex-
cited them with her whip, while the
Prince cried for help. But his cries
we're drowned by the wintry storms.
The lions, irritated and encouraged by
Herma's cries, sprang upon him. His
blood was already flowing. He suppl
Gated and defended himself desperate
ly, while she, her face leaning against
the cold bars, toasted her eyes on his
mortal anguish.
Some time passed before the lions
had finished their horrible work.
When the Prince lay dead on the floor
of the den, the lions skunk away fright
ened and began to lick their bloody
paws.
That very night the beautiful lion
tanner disappeared from Bucharest, and
she has never been beard of since.