LITERATURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 228, 2 August 1881, Page 4

LITERATURE.

HERMA, THE LION-TAMER

It was in tho beginning of the year 1559 whoa tho famous Harsbcrg menagerie came to Bucharest for the first time. All ths town was in a state of great excitement about tho number and rarity of the animals, the beauty of tho Hone, and, above all about tha tamer, who poi formed some remarkable feats of st ength. Herma Dalstrem was her name; she was a young Swede, beautiful, distinguished, bold and unapproachable. It 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 graces were met only by a cold politeness and a sarcastic haughtiness which drove them away f-*he lived with the Haraberg family at the first hotel in tte town, went to the menagerie and returned from it in a carriage, like a lady of high degree ; received no visits and was never seen alone either in the street or anywhere else. This vestal severity puzzled tho gallants as well as the ordinary mortals, so sSjut tha Swedish lion-tamer soon became as popular at Bucharest as La Catalan! and Lola Montez. One night Prince Maniasko, the spoiled child of the ladies of Bucharest, who had just returned from an excursion to Paris, same to the menagerie He reviewed tha different animals in company with some friends, was highly amused by the explanations and by tho feeding, and at last stopped before tha lions’ cage, awaiting tho arrival of tho celebrated Swede with a sceptics! smile on his lips. _ Suddenly a little door opened in the back part of the cage, and Herma appeared in the midst of frantic applause. She threw off with an indescribable movexnant of pride the large silk cloak that covered her, and advanced into tho cage dressed in a costume of white satin bordered with ermice, a whip in her hand, tall, Blander, with tho nobleat face in tho world, to which her golden curls and her fresh color imparted an Irresistible grace. The Prince was at once fascinated ; he followed each of her movements with feverish agitation. Hia heart beat when she placed her pretty head in the terrible lion's month, and he trembled, half for pleasure, half for fear, when she began to harangue the disobedient animals, and kick and Hog them. Hardly had Herma left the cage when’the Prince Maniasko was bowing down before ter while she pat on hsr cloak with the aid of Edgar, Harsberg’s son. a young man of remarkable beauty. She fixed her blue eyes, astonished and almost frightened, upon that ideal of a beautiful, almost feminine figure ; ehe did not reply to his questions proudly and coldly, bat with embarrassment and with a smile of indescribable sweetness.

The Prince came every night, and Herma received him not only with affability, but she even looked for him with a rapid glance sa 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 the Prince could obtaki, sad the more intractable she showed herself to his prayers, the more he was urged on by a diabolic desire to possess her. An unexpected rival came to hia aid. Edgar said_ to Herma one night with a trembling voice before she entered the cage, ‘ Up till now I thought yon were my father’s mistress, and I have not ap ken ; now I tell you, I love yon, and I will never consent to your lowering yourself with that Boyard who is already affianced to a Princess, and who Is only making sport of yon,’ When the Prince came to see hsr after the performance, she said to him in a whisper, • Is it true that yon have a fiancee ? ’ ‘ It is true,’ he replied, * but as soon as you please I will put an end to that tiresome romance, and prostrate myseif at your feet as your slave.’ * But you do not love me.’ * How mnst I prove that I love you ?’ She drew herself up before him. 4 Come an hour before midnight to the little door of the menage-ie,’ she said, in a low voice and with courageous resolution. * I will oome, ’ was the reply. And he came; and when he left the menagerie in the midst of the shades of night two etraiuing arms were round his neck, and two burning lips were pressed against bis own. Soon the talk in the clubs was of nothing but of the strange liaison of Maniasko with tha beautiful lion tamer ; and the young prince’s father, anxious for the future of his son, hastened 'as much as possible bis marriage with the Princess Agrafine Slobuda, to whom ho had been affianced when he was a child. A violent scene took place between the father and the son; at last the latter yielded, and one nigbt he did not appear at the menagerie. Herma passed a night of angnish. Two evenings she again waited in vain for her lover; then she wrote to him and received no answer. The fourth night, as she was coming ont of the cage, and wrapping herself in her cioak, Edgar said to her—--4 Herma, shall I tell yon why the wretch cornea no longer?’ ‘ Tell me,’ she said, in a smothered voice, * I am ready for everything.’ ‘ Ha will bo married In three days.’ * Yon lie.’ ' Why should I lie V 4 What is the name of his bride ?’ $ * Princess Agrafine Slobuda.’ •Is she pretty?’ ‘ Beautiful, young, and rich ’ A strident and hideous laugh escaped from Hernia's lips. ‘ Will yon shed a tear for me, only one, If I die for you,’ said Edgar, 4 and if 1 avenge you and kill him— ’ ‘ No, Edgar, you must not sacrifice yourself, not you—’ ‘ Must that villain be left unpunished ?’ 1 Certainly not,’ she replied tranquilly and firmly. ‘Then let mo kill him,’said Edgar, with trembling lips 4 No.’ said Herma, * leave him to me.’

The next day Prince Maniasko 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 liontamer who was so much admired by everybody, 4 How can saoh an idea oome into your head ?’ said the Prince, and the cigarette trembled in hia hands, and the yellow tobacco slipped from between his white lingers. 4 1 have heard so many marvels about this person that 1 have taken it into my head to be present at one of her performances, and that, too, this evening, and in your company, Prince. ’ When Herma entered the cage that evenlag she saw Maniasko, and at his side a ravishing creature, who fixed her opera-glass upon her in a provoking manner. She felt it, and started, bat only for a single moment, and then began her feats with the lions with her accustomed haughty coolness. When, after a successful feat, she reclined on the back of ono of the big lions, while the others walked round her in procession, the Princess cried loudly * Bravo,’ and threw a purse of gold into the cage. A murmur of di-tapproval rose from among the spectators. Herma began to tremble, and tears flowed from her beautiful eyes; she lost empire over herself and the animals that surrounded her ; tho big lion raised his head, looked at her with astonishment, and suddenly gripped her left arm. A cry of horror sprung from a hundred mouths, but Herma had already recovered herself ; a look and a command, and the lion loosened her arm ; she sprung up, seized the beast by the mane, placed her foot on him, and lashed him until he was completely sub j acted and lay docile at her feet. Enthusiastic applause and shouts of approbation rewarded her courage. 4 When will the wedding take place ? ’ she asked cf Edgar, when she had left the cage. 4 Tho day after to-morrow. ‘Will yon undertake to give him a letter yocraelf, and to him in person ? ’ 4 If yon command me.’ 4 I beg you to do so ! ’ Herma pressed Fdgar’s hand, but he seized hers and covered it with kisae*.

The next morning the Hon tamer wrote to the Prince. She wished to sea him only cace more, and begged him to oome 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, * I will come.' An hour before midnight the Prince ap-

peared at tha little back door of the menagerie j it opened noiselessly as usual. Herma appeared, dressed in a short fur jacket, In the pale light of the stars and the snow. She took him by band and led him cantiously along the dark passage. As usual a second door grated on its hinges, and Herma, leading tha Prince into that completely dark space put her arms round his neck, and kissed him with a savage tenderness. Then she suddenly disappeared ; the door was shut violently, and the Prince’s foot touched something living which moved. What was it ? Had she not as usual led him into her little salon ! A moment afterward a bright red light appeared. Herma fixed a torch in a mug In front of tho lions’ cage, and in the midst of the prison. In the midst of the lions, was the Prince. Htrms stood with her arms folded before tho bars, and fixed the Prince coidly with her large blue eyes, a diabolic smile played on her lips. The Prince, with a rapid movement, tried to open the door, but in vain. ‘ln heaven’s name, Herma, what Is your intention ?’ ‘ I am celebrating my marriage with you, and my Hons are to be tha wadding guests.’ ‘ Are you mad ?' ‘ I am in full possession of my senses. You have betrayed me. X have condemned you to death. Now to work, my friends ! en avant. 9 And she woke up the lions, and excited them with her whip, while the Prince cried for help. Put his cries were drowned by the wintry storms* The lions, irritated and encouraged by Herma’a cries, sprung upon him. His blood was already flowing. He supplicated and defended himself desperately, while ehe, her face leaning against the cold bars, feasted her eyes on his mortal anguish. Some time had passed before the liens had finished their horrible work. When the Prince lay dead on the floor of the den, the lions slunk away frightened, and began to lick their bloody paws. That very night the beautiful lion-tamer disappeared from Bucharest, and has never been heard of since.