Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-08-26

knew the nature of the business which had summon
ed them there Almonte half suspected the truth
and the poor girl argued OF herself tnSs ner ld H.
cond not bat be improved by the interference, 10
its nature be what it might.
"Count Almonte, You doubtless know why hay
ordered you toappear here"
"Excellencia fear that have been lnoiscree''
was the reply.
"You adopted the uniform of the guards for YOU
own private purposes upon this young girl, did YOU
not ?" $3.50.
'Exeelencia, L cannot deny it."
"Declare upon your honor, Count Aimonte "he'n
,er she is unframed, whom you have thus kept
prisoner.
"Excclencia. she is as pure as when she entered
beneath my roof" was the trut hful reply
The Governor turned, and whispered something 70
his page then continued his questions to the Count,
while he made some minutes upon paper. Pedro was
now summoned to explain some matter, and as ne en-
tered the Governor General turned his back for one
moment as if to seek for some papers upon his table,
while Miralda was pressed in the boatmans arms. 1t
was but for moment, and the next, Pedro was DOW
ing humby before Tacon. few moments more
and the Governors page returned, accompanied by a
monk of the church OF Santa Clara, with the enl-
blens of his Office"
"Holy father" said Tacon, "you will bind the
hands of this Count Amonte and Miralda Estaiez
together in the bonds of wedlock."
"Excelenciai" exclaimed the Count IN amaze
ment.
'Not word, Senior; it is your part to obey!"
''My nobility, EXcelencia!"
eIs forfeited !" said Tacon.
Count Almonte had too many evidences before his
minds eve of Tacons mode of administering justice
and of enforcing his will to dare to rebel, and
he doggedly yielded in silence Poor Pedro not dar-
ing to speak, half crazed to see the prize he had
so long coveted thus about to be torn from him. In
a few moments the ceremony performed, the
trembling and bewidered girl not daring to thwart
the Governors orders, and the priest declared them
husband and wife. The captain of the guard was
and despatched with some written order,
and in a few subsequent moments Count Almonte,
completely subdued and broken spirited, was ordered
to return to his plantation Pedro and Mralda were
directed to remain in adjoining apartment to that
which had been the scene of this singular procedure
Count Almonte mounted his hors d W tn single
attendant soon passed out of the city gates. But
hardly had he passed the corner of the Paseo when
dozen muskets fired volley upon him. and he fell
a corpse upon the road. =
His body was quietly removed, and the captain of
the guard, who had witnessed the act, made min
ute upon his order as to the time and place, and,
his hose, rode to the governor palace,
entering the presence chamber just as Pedro and
Miralda were once more summoned before the gov
ernor.
"Exccenca," said the officer returning the order,
''it is executed!
as the Count dead?"
''Excelencia, yes"
proclaim in the usual manner, the marriage OF
Count Amonte and Miralda Estalez, and also that
she is his legal widow possessed of his titles and es
Counts estate, and enforces this decision" Then,
turning to Pedro MantaneZ, he said, mo man or
woman in this island is so humble but they may
claim Justice of Tacon! !"
The story furnishes its own moral.
Ballo,ss History Of Cuba.