The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-11-18


never consent to your lowering your
self with that Boyard who is already
aiflanced to princess, and who is only
making sport Of you"
at is true that you have fmcee."
at is true" he replied "but as
soon as you please l will put stop to
that tiresome romance, and PROSTATE
myself at your feet as your slave"
"But you do not love me?"
"How must prove that love you p
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 rsolution.
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 HdiSon of Maniasko
with the beautiful lion-tamer, 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
aiiianced when he was child. A vio-
lent scene took place between the
father an the son at last the latter
yelled, and one night he did not ap-
pear at the menagerie.
HERNIA passed 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 as she was coming
out of the cage and wrapping herself
in her cloak, Edgar said to her,
"Herma, shall 1 tell you why the
wretch comes no loDger?"
"Tell me-" she said in a smothering
voice. 81 am ready for everything"
HE will be married in three days"
"You Iie."
"Why should l lie?"
"What is the name of his brideP"
"Princess Agrafne 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 1 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"
2 he next day Prince Minaasko. was
sitting in the charming little boudoir of
his bride and rolling a cigarette for her,
when the princess, with a 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 rayishing 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 a 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,"
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 astonishment,
and suddenly crippled her left arm. A
cry of horror sprang from a hundred
mouths, but HERNIA had already re.
covered herself o look and command,
and the lion loosened her arm she
sprang 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 and shouts Of
appreciation rewarded her courage.
"When will the wedding take place ?"
she asked Of Edgar when she had left
the cage.
"The day after tomorrow"
"Will you undertake to give him a
letter yourself, and to him in person ?"
"If you command me-"
II beg you to do so n HERNIA pressed
Edgar's hand, but he seized hers and
covered il with kisses.