The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1891-02-13
STORIES or eERNHARpT.
The wonderful Woman who IL sFin de
Sieclev In Everything.

Bernhardt's little scheme for apply
ing u live snake to her barred breast in
the death scene OF ..Cleopatra.m excites
a laugh in tho city which has become
quite used TO being freshly fooled by
her on the production of each fresh
play. When Bernhardt puts her genius
at the service of her charlatanry the
result is such glorious aud unique
humbugging as only the boulevards
could appreciate. but which they love
her for. Parisiaus will not soon for
get how Bernhardt advertised one
piece by going to horse fair. buying
two splendid horses for her son, re-
turning to Paris after midnight and
stabIing the animals. FOR lack of other
accommodations. in her magnificently
fitted studio. Next morning all Paris
was agog
How could yon allow such wanton
destructiou?n
..Ah.'' said the Bernhardt, her eyes
alight with maternal devotion. how
could / deny Maurice anythinggn
Nor has Paris yet done talking of
how she posed as an angel at Maurice's
wedding, q ray OF light sifted through
stained glass falling softly on her up
lifted face as she knelt Mt the altar
wrapped in religious ecstasy. This
was almost as good an advertisement
as the news which not so very long
ago startled all Franee-Bernhard had
become insane. No. said monsieurs,
the journalists aud dramatic critics.
you have deceived us too often; this
time we positively refuse to lelieve
one syllable. NJ. -. of Figaro, was
especially firm in his position. BY the
great gods he had sworn. and he would
stand by his oath. that Bernhardt's
name should never again appear in
type which he controlled. But private
information came to him from sources
deemed incorruptible. and be was
brought to call on Bernhardt to see
with his own eyes. In her boudoir,
with lights turned down, she kept him
waiting. and then bounced into the
apartment like one of her own tiger
cats and leaned against the mantel.
hair disheyelled. face haggard. feat
ures blank and unintelligent. fingers
| trembling. Her complexion was
ghastly. her eyes wandering. Not a
word did she answer to his questions.
but mumbled To herself in undertones.
After \ little she dropped to the floor
and lay staring into the fire, babbling.
Nj. - was convinced. Next day he
came out with lameniation; great
light had gone out; Bernhardt had had
| her faults, but il would be long ers
they looked on her like again.
This was the moment for which
Bernhardt had been waiting. In two
hours a card from her was in every
newspaper Office in the city. She was
/ not insane; she could not imagine how
/ crsoh f..snar1f SturfaA. kax. haaI Lo1 4
never been clearer, as she hoped 10
/ convince the public BY her production
/ o< -, in which she should open
the week following.
But none of her recent performances
1 have equalled n somewhat earlier
achievement. There are gossips who
still laugh rs they remember how,
after her marriage with Damala. the
rumor got about Paris that. owing tc
domestic duties. Bernhardt would be
unable to finish her season. Fashion
writers who visited Worth discovered
that in good truth Bernhardt had or.
dered a complete outfit of new stage
1 dresses designed with the view of hid
ing her figure. Ii became the fashion
| to go and see the actress in thoss
gowns. Bets were up as to how many
more nights she would play, when sud
denly. without warning. as the inter.
est reached its climax. the special
| wardrobe was thrown aside. Bernhard
laughed and Paris laughed with her a:
it saw how we'll it had been fooled.
There is only one Bernhardt. She /:
unique. unapproaehable. But will
| all her quackery Paris remembers t
her credit that she sincerely loveC
Damala. She pulled him out Of tn,
gutter, and. in spite of much. at tn,
| end she mourned him.-Paris Letter {,
! Sdcdn7sah Ne1cs.