The southern enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1854-1870, 1854-10-13


one day she was surprised by apresentffio from
him Of so rare and costly q nature as to lead
her to suspect the donors Intentions at once,
and to promptly decline the offered 2gift.
UudisDhyed by this, still the Count continu-
ed his profuse patronage in a way to which
Miralda could find no plausible pretext cf
complaint . kre 6 s7ssii i'.s755 81 ,1 .'
Atlast seizing upon what he considered
a favorable moment Count hlmonte declar-
ed his passion to Miralda, besought her to
come and be the mistress Of his broad and
rich estates at Cerito, near The city, and of
tered a!l the promises of wealth, favor and
fortune; butin vain. The pure-minded girl
seorned, his offer, and bade him never more
to insult by visiting her shop. Abashed,
but not 0onfounded, the Count retired, but
only to weave a new snare whereby he could
entangie her, for he was not one to be so cas-
lily thwarted. .'
One afternoon, not long after this, as the
twilight was setting over the town, file of
soldiers halted just opposite the door Of the
little cigar shop, when young man, wearing
the heutenant's insignia, entered aud asked
the attendant if her name was Miralda Esta-
lez, to which she timidly, responded. vr
"Then you will please to come with me-"
"By what authority 2" asked the trembling
girl. s''is -, II = ~. 81 d. y. ~ .
"The order of the Governor-G General 2"
"Then must obey you" and she prepared
to follow him at once.
Stepping to the door with her, the young
officer directed his men to march on, and
getting into volante, told Maralda they
would drive to the guard house. But, to
the surprise of the girl, she soon after dis
covered that they were rapidly passing the
city gates, and Immediately afterwere dash
ing off on the road to Cerito. Then it was
that she began to fear some trick had been
played upon her, and these fears were soon
confirmed by the volante turning down the
long alley Of palms that led to the estate of
Count Amonte. was in vain to expostu-
late now she felt that she was in the pow
or of the reckless nobleman, and the pretend
ed officer. and soldiers were his own people,
who had adopted the disguise ofthe Spanish
army uniform. ~' e
Count Almonte met her at the door, told
her to fear no violence, that her wishes should
be respected in all things save her personal
liberty that he trusted, in time, to persuade
her to look more favorably upon him. and
that in all things he was her slave. She re-
piled contemptuously to his words, and chare-
ed him with the cowardly trick by which he
had gained control of her liberty. But she
was left by herself, though watched by his
orders at all times to prevent her escape.
She knew very well that the power and
will of the Count Almonte were too strong
for any humble friend of hers to attempt to
athwart, and yet she somehow felt consci-
Gus strength in Pedro, and secretly cherished
the idea that he would discover her place of
confinement, and adopt some means to deliv-
or her. The stiletto is the constant com
panion of the lower classes, and Miralda had
been used to wear one even in her store
against contingency but she now regarded
the tiny weapon with peculiar satisfaction,
and slept with it in her bosom. .. .,-
Small was the clue by which Pedro Man
tanez discovered the trick of Count Almonte.
First che was found out and then that cir
cumstanee, and these, being put together,
they led to other results, until the indefatiea-
ble lover was at last fully satisfied that he
had discovered her place of confinement.
Disguised as afriar of the order of San Felipe.
he sought Count Almonte's gates at favor
able moment, met Miralda, cheercd her with
fresh hopes, and retired to arrange some GER
tain plan for her delivery. There was no
time to think now heretofore no had not per-
nitted himself even an hours sleep ;,but
she was safe-that is, tin Immediate dan
ger--and he could breathe more freely. He
knew not with whom to advise, he feared to
speak to those above him in society, lest they
might betray his purpose to the Count, and
his own liberty, by some means, be thus
jeopardized. He could only consider with
himself he must. be his own counsellor in
this critical case.
AZ isss, as 4 il despair, he, started 10 bis
feet one day, and exclaimed
"Why not go to headquarters at once ~
why not see the Gov-General, and tell him
the trutha All, zee him How is that to
be effected2 And then this Count Almonte
is a nobleman. They say that .Tacon loves
justice. We shall see; viii go the Coy
Gen.; it cannot do any harm, fit does not
do any good. ! can but try. - 'l'
And Pedro did seek the Governor. True,
he did not at once get audience Of him-not
the fist, nor the second, nor the third time,
but lie persevered, and was admitted at last.
Here he told his story in free, manly voice,
undisguisedly and open in all things, so that
,racon was plpased Et.t. ~ 1aAs ~