Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1854-10-18

Less than two hours had transpired
when the Counte and Miralda stood before
Tacon. Neither knew theinature of the
business which had summoned them there.
Almonte half suspected the truth, and the
poor girl argued to herself that her fate
could not but be improved by the interfe.
renee, let its nature be what it might.
"Counte Almoute, you doubtless know
why have ordered you to appear here"
"Excelencia, fear that have been
indiscreet," was the reply.
"You adopted the uniform of the guards
for your own private purposes upon this
young girl. did you not ?''
"Excelencia, cannot deny it,
"Declare upon your honor. Counte AL
monte, whether she is unframed whom.
you have kept prisoner
"Excelencia, she is as pure aswhen she
entered beneath my roof" was the truth
full reply.
The Governor turned and whispered
something to his page, then continued his
questions to the COunte, while he made
some minutes upon paper. Pedro was
now summoned to explain some matter,
and as he entered, 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 boatman's
arms. 1t was but for moment, and the
next, Pedro was bowing humbly before
Tacon. A few moments more and the
Governors page returned, accompanied
by monk of the church of Santa Clara,
with the embIems of his office.
"Holy father" said Tacon, r'you will
bind the hands Of this Counte Almonte
and Miralda Estalez together in the bonds
of wedlock."
"Excelencia p exclaimed the Counte,
in amazement.
"Not word. Senor; it is your part to
obey"
MY nobility, Exceleucia
els forfeited !'' said Tacon.
Counte Almonle had too many eviden-
ces before his minds eye Of Tacon's mode
of administering justice and Of enforcing
his own will, to dare rebel, and he dog.
gedly yielded in silence. Poor Pedro,
not daring to speak, was half crazed to
see the prize he had so long coveted thus
about to be torn from him. In few mo-
ments the ceremony was performed, the
trembling and bawildsrad girl not d~riug
to Lhwart the Governors orders, and the
priest declared them husband and wife
The captain of the guard WAS summoned
! and despatched with some written order,
and in few subsequent moments Counte
Almonte, completely subdued and broken
spirited, was ordered to return to his plan
talion. Pedro and Miralda were directed
to remain in an adjoining apartment to
that which had been the scene of this sin
gular procedure. Counte Almonte noun
ted his horse, and with single attend
ant, soon passed out Of the city gates
But hardly had he passed the corner of
the Paseo, when dozen muskets fred a
volley upon him, and he fell corpse up
on the road.
His body was quietly removed, and the
captain of the guard. who had witnessed
the act, made minute upon his order as
TO the time and place, and mounting his
horse, rode to the Governors palace, en-
tering the presence chamber just as Pc
dro and MIralda we're once more summon
cd before the Governor.
"Exceencia," said the officer, return
ing the order, "it is executed ''
''Is the Counte dead ?''
"Excelencia, yes"
"Proclaim, in the usual manner, tho
marriage of Counte Almonte and Miralda
Estalez, and also that she is his legal wild
oU, possessed Of his titles and estate
See that the proper officer attends her to
| the Counties estate, and enforces this de-
cision." Then, turning to Pedro Manta-
mex. he said, "no man or woman in this
Island is so humble but they may claim
justice Of Tacon !''