The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1854-11-17

garded him saaTchingly, said:--
"Swear that what you have related to
me is true, as you hope for heavenw
81 swear?" said Pedro, kneeling and
kissing the children with simple rever>
once.
The Governor turned 10 his table.
wrote few btief lines, and touching the
bell, summoned page from an adjon-
ing room, whom he ordered to send the
captain ofthe guard TO him. Prompt as
who had any connection with the Cover
nor's household, tie officer appeared al
once, and received the written o,der
with directions to bring Count Almon,e
and young girl named Miralda, imme'
diately before him. Pedro was sont to an
ante>room, and the business of the day
passed on as usual in the reception-hall
Of the Governor.
Less than TWO hours had transpired,
when the Count and Miralda stood be-
fore Tacon. Neither knew tie nature o!
the business which had summoned them
there. Almonie half suspected the truth,
and the poor gill argued to herself thai
her fate could no, but be improved by
the Interference, lie. lis nature be what i,
might.
"Counte Almonte, you doubtless know
why have ordered you to appear here"
"Excelencia, fear that have been
indiscreet," was the reply,
'Yuu adopted the uniform Of the guards
for your own private purposes upon this
young gi,l, did you not?"
"Exceleneia, / cannot deny it,"
"Dec|are, upon your honor, Count
Almonte, whether she is unframed whom
you have thus kept prisoner
| :'lIxcelencia, she is as when she en-
tered my roof" wos the truthful reply.
The Governor turned and whispered
something 10 his page, then continued
his questions to the Count, while he made
some minutes upon paper.
Pedro waS .og summoned 10 explain
some matter, and, as he entered, the Gov.
ernor>Genernl turned his back for mo,
men, as ifio seek for soifie paper upon
his table, while Miralda was piessed in
the boatmsn's arms. II was but for q
moment, and tho next, Pedro was bowling
humbly before Tacon. A few moments
more, und the Governors page returned
accompanied by monk Of the church oI
Santa Clare, with the emblems ofbls Of
fee. ..a
sHoly father" said 'l'acon, "you vii
bind the hands Of this Count Almonte
and Miralda Estates together in the bond
Of wedlock!" a..
"Excelencia !" exclaimed the Count, II
smazenelt.
"No' word, Senior; it is your par. ,c
obeyw
"My nobility, Excelenciai" !"
ais forfeited - said Tacon.
Count Almon;e had too many eviden'
ces before bis minds eye Of Iacon's
mode Of administering justice, and Of en-
forcing his own eil|, TO dare to rebel, ant
no doggedly yielded, in silence. Poo
Pedro, not daring TO speak, was hal
crozed to see the prize he had SO long
coveted thus about to bo tom fram him
10 few moments. the ceremony was per.
formed, the trembling and bewilGered
girl not daring TO thwart the Governors
orders, and the priest declared them Lu
band and wife. The captain of.he guard
was summoned and dispatched with some
written order, and in a few subsequent
moments, Counie Al'nonte, completely
subduod and broken>spirite was order
ed to return TO bis plantation.
Pedro and Miralda, were directed TO
remain in an adjoining department to
tina, which had been the scene of this sin.
guar procedure. Count Almon,e mount.
ed his horse, and single attendant, soon
passed out Of the city gates. But hard
ly had he passed the corner Of the Pasco,
when dozen muskets fred volley ups
on him, and he fell corpse upon the
road.
His body was quietly removed, and
the captain OF the guard, who had wit
messed ,he act, made minute pom his
order as 10 the time and places mount.
ing his horse, rode 10 the Governors
palace, cnterinng tho presence chamber
Just as Pedro and Miralda were once
mole summoned before the Governor
"Excelencia, said the officer return.